Wildfires in Los Angeles have already destroyed thousands of buildings this week, and the full extent of the damage won’t be known for some time, local officials said during a Jan. 9 media briefing.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said it will conduct damage inspections and coordinate debris removal through tomorrow.
LA Board of Supervisors member Kathryn Barger said communities “still face significant threats, but I hope the tide is turning.”
President Biden signed a major disaster declaration for the state of California on January 7, releasing federal funds to support residents and businesses affected by the fires, as well as support state and local government agencies in their answers
Firefighters worked to contain the blaze in Pacific Palisades. Photo courtesy of Cal FireAccording to the figures, the damage is already significant. LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the Eaton fire north of Pasadena was 13,690 acres as of the afternoon of Jan. 9 and was at zero percent containment. Officials estimate that 4,000 to 5,000 structures have been destroyed.
LAFD Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said the Palisades Fire, west of Santa Monica in the community of Pacific Palisades, is 17,234 acres and with wind gusts of up to 60 mph, it was expected to resume spreading throughout the day.
Damage assessments are ongoing, but preliminary reports estimate the number of structures damaged by the Palisades Fire in the thousands. “One of the most destructive natural disasters in LA history”
Mark Pestrella, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works, said his agency’s current mission for the past three days has been to support firefighters and law enforcement. Finally “we will focus on the inevitable recovery and repopulation: we will recover.”
LA County Department of Public Works Director Mark Pestrella informed the public during a Jan. 9 briefing. Image courtesy of Public WorksFor now, he added, sewerage, water, electricity and transport are all “significantly damaged” with thousands of trees down on roads. A “large amount of waste” will have to be processed and removed. Public Works is leading a coordinated effort to remove debris.
“The waste can be dangerous, maybe toxic,” he said. Finally, Public Works will carry out a “health review of all properties” affected by the fire. He urged people not to try to handle the waste themselves.
Currently, the water supply system is still being used to aid in fire suppression. The reservoirs are being used for airstrikes. “They’re full.” The municipal water system still suffers from poor water quality due to ash and debris. In some areas, there are warnings to boil water. “We’ll be actively coming in the next day or so, delivering water” to residents, he said.
The region’s road system is badly affected, with many traffic signals not operational.
Public Works Director General Janisse Quinones said crews are “working around the clock to restore power.” Power has so far been restored to 200,000 customers in the region. As of the morning of January 9, 95,000 customers were still in the dark. Public Works has 118 teams working there, with the electric company PG&E coming to ask for support. The priority is to address downed wires. Electrical transmission and distribution equipment may be compromised in fire damaged areas or closed for firefighter safety.
