Continued Wildfires in Los Angeles; 180,000 People Evacuated from High-Risk Areas

Widespread wildfires in the Los Angeles area of California continue to spread, claiming the lives of 10 individuals so far. In this context, 180,000 residents from high-risk areas have been evacuated, and about 200,000 others have been warned about the potential need to leave their homes. According to Reuters, over 34,000 hectares of land have turned to ash due to these fires, and nearly 10,000 structures have been destroyed. The 'Palisades' fire between Santa Monica and Malibu in the western part of the city and the 'Eaton' fire in the east near Pasadena are currently considered the most destructive fires in Los Angeles history, turning a vast area to ashes. The 'Palisades' fire is one of the most devastating natural disasters in Los Angeles history. Meanwhile, while the death toll from these fires is reported as 10, state officials predict that the number of victims will increase. Robert Luna, the Los Angeles sheriff, stated at a press conference, 'These areas look like a place where an atomic bomb has exploded. We expect worse news.' The economic damage from this incident is estimated to be between $135 billion and $150 billion. The fires have occurred at a time when Los Angeles has not seen significant rainfall for months. Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, announced plans for the rapid reconstruction of the city, emphasizing, 'We are determined to rebuild the city quickly.' Meanwhile, Joe Biden, the President of the United States, who has declared a national disaster, has promised that the federal government will cover all costs for cleanup, hazardous material removal, and the wages of rescue workers for 180 days.