The sight of famous landmarks engulfed in thick smoke and eerie orange skies has left many residents traumatized. Many are used to fires, but not so many, so close together, burning so fast.

A devastating wildfire in California, US. Photo: Reuters
Frustration was palpable on January 10 as small fires flared up and larger fires continued to burn out of control. Confusion and anxiety as false evacuation warnings were repeatedly sent to residents added to the chaos.

Where are the fires raging?
The Los Angeles area northwest of downtown is ringed by flames. The fires around the Santa Monica and Malibu areas, the residential suburbs of Pasadena and some rural areas in the San Fernando Valley have formed a ring of fire.

The largest fire, the Palisades along the Pacific Coast, has burned nearly 28,000 acres and was only 8% contained as of Tuesday afternoon. The fire has forced evacuations along the Pacific Coast Highway, including in Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Santa Monica.

The next largest fire to the east is the Eaton Fire, which is raging north of Pasadena in the San Gabriel Mountains. It has burned more than 14,000 acres, destroyed thousands of homes and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate. The fire has slowed in growth but was only 3% contained as of Tuesday afternoon, an official said.

Efforts to contain several smaller fires that flared up north of the Palisades and northwest of the Eaton Fire have made greater progress as winds have died down. Officials said the Kenneth Fire was contained by morning. The fire that broke out late on Jan. 10 in the West Hills neighborhood of the San Fernando Valley, near Calabasas, was 35 percent contained after burning more than 1,000 acres.

Also in the valley, the Hurst Fire that started in Sylmar slowed after growing to more than 1,000 acres. In the Angeles National Forest, a vast area spanning the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains, firefighters were 75 percent contained after burning 400 acres.

The Sunset Fire, which broke out on Jan. 9 in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles, was completely contained after burning 45 acres. All evacuation orders related to the fire have been lifted.

Another small fire, the Archer Fire, broke out early on Jan. 10, prompting evacuation orders in the Granada Hills, northwest of downtown. But the fire has since stopped spreading and the fire department has downgraded the warning.

How many homes have been destroyed?
Preliminary reports as of the afternoon of January 10 showed that the Palisades Fire had destroyed about 5,000 structures and the Eaton Fire had destroyed about 7,000 structures, including homes, garages and businesses.

That puts both fires among the five most destructive in California history.

The Palisades Fire has also destroyed beloved landmarks, including Palisades Charter High School, the alma mater of many celebrities and the filming location of many television shows, including “Modern Family.” The estate that Will Rogers, the famous entertainer and movie star, owned until his death in 1935, was destroyed, along with the Topanga Ranch Motel, which was used as a backdrop in several movies over the decades.

The extent of the damage caused by the other fires remains unclear.

The National Guard and local law enforcement have been tasked with sealing off neighborhoods until it is safe for residents to return and to prevent “anyone from taking advantage of this tragedy,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on Jan. 10.

At least 18 people have been arrested in the Eaton and Palisades fires on charges including robbery, identity theft, drug possession and possession of burglary tools, officials said.

Why is Los Angeles running out of water to fight fires amid an “apocalyptic” wildfire disaster?

VOV.VN – Storage tanks in Los Angeles were filled with water before the wildfires broke out and spread into residential areas, but within hours, the tanks were depleted.

How many people died?
At least 11 people died from fire-related causes, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office. The office said five people died in the Palisades fire and six in the Eaton fire.

Los Angeles Police Chief Robert Luna said on Jan. 9 that he was praying the death toll would not rise. There were also some cases of people who did not evacuate their homes with significant injuries, the chief said.

President Biden announced on Jan. 10 that “there are still a lot of people missing.”

Why did the massive fires start at the same time?
For days, forecasters have warned of gusts that could reach 50 to 80 mph (80 to 130 kph) and even over 100 mph (160 kph) in the mountains.