Los Angeles: It Feels Like Someone Dropped an Atomic Bomb Here…
In the U.S. state of California, the city of Los Angeles has been battling a devastating wildfire for the past four days. So far, 11 people have lost their lives, and despite continuous efforts, the fire remains uncontrolled.
Commenting on the destruction in the affected areas, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna compared the city to scenes of devastation following an atomic bomb explosion.
In a press conference yesterday, he said, “It feels like someone dropped an atomic bomb on these areas.”
So far, evacuation orders have been issued for 180,000 residents of the affected regions.
What Do We Know About the Current Situation?
The wildfire in Los Angeles has already claimed 11 lives. According to the state’s fire authority, Cal Fire, the blaze is still raging in six locations, and none have been fully controlled yet.
The largest fire is in the Palisades area, which has engulfed over 21,500 acres, with only 8% of it under control.
In the Ayton area, the fire has affected over 14,000 acres, with only 3% of it contained. This fire alone has destroyed over 1,000 buildings.
The Kenneth fire has impacted 1,000 acres and is 50% contained, while the Hearst fire has affected 770 acres, with 70% of it under control.
The Lydia Fire, which broke out in the northern hills of Los Angeles, has affected 395 acres and is almost entirely under control.
The latest fire, which ignited in the Archer area on Friday, has already burned 19 acres and is currently out of control.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation following reports of water shortages hampering firefighting efforts.
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“My Home Is Still a Pile of Burning Embers”
The destruction caused by this wildfire has shaken Los Angeles to its core and left its residents in deep shock.
A climate reporter shared her story, saying, “For days, I was interviewing people displaced by the Malibu fires, but now I find myself on the other side of the story.”
She continued, “Two days later, when we heard about the looting happening in the Palisades area, we decided to return home to grab some important belongings, like photographs, journals, and family jewelry.”
“On Wednesday afternoon, I got the chance to return because of my work as a journalist. When we approached the road leading to our house, I saw flames and fire engines in front of our home, and my heart sank.”
She added, “As we passed by houses, we saw that entire homes had been reduced to rubble. Where there were once 20 homes standing, there were now only piles of ash.”
“The firefighters, their faces covered in soot, apologized to us for not being able to save our home. I was crying, thanking them for everything they had done.”
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“Everything Is Gone”
“Our neighborhood, I would say, is 90% destroyed. Everything is gone. I am still trying to process the shock, the devastation, and the thought that my community has lost everything.”
“I plan to leave the city and move north to stay with friends where it’s safer and far from the fire.”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to return to Los Angeles anytime soon. It’s hard to imagine going back when there’s nothing left—no house, no library, no stores, no theaters, no community center. It’s all gone.”
Reflecting on her escape, she said, “Before leaving my home, I stood in my bedroom trying to decide which earrings to take with me. But then I asked myself out loud, ‘What do you really need?'”
“In that moment, I realized I didn’t need any of it. I grabbed my grandmother’s ring, my passport, and my birth certificate, leaving everything else behind to burn.”
