At Least 16 Lives Lost in Wildfires Ravaging Los Angeles, Officials Anticipate Deteriorating Conditions
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Los Angeles, Jan 12 (NationPress) A tragic toll of 16 confirmed deaths and extensive damage to over 12,000 structures have been reported due to the ongoing wildfires that erupted last week.
Authorities are sounding alarms as conditions are forecasted to worsen in the upcoming days, with the wildfires causing widespread disruptions throughout various regions of Los Angeles County, prompting school closures and the cancellation of numerous entertainment, sports, and community events.
The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest public school district in the nation, closed its doors on Thursday and Friday to protect students and staff from hazardous air quality. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho underscored that the risks of traveling to school outweighed the benefits of attending, especially for children with respiratory issues.
Some schools located near evacuation zones faced power outages and lower attendance before the decision to close was made.
“We had to evacuate, so our lives are a mess, and the whole city is at a standstill,” shared Pacific Palisades resident Kenneth, who chose to speak to Xinhua under a pseudonym, “but at least we’re still alive.”
Currently, six wildfires continue to rage across Los Angeles County, scorching nearly 36,000 acres. One of the most significant, the Palisades fire, has consumed over 21,300 acres and has damaged or destroyed more than 5,300 structures thus far.
On the eastern side of Los Angeles, fires in Eaton Canyon and Highland Park have impacted schools and residences, with reports indicating damage to two elementary schools and parts of Palisades Charter High School. The Eaton Fire has ravaged nearly 14,000 acres, causing up to 5,000 structures to be damaged or destroyed.
Furthermore, the entertainment sector has been severely affected by the fires, power outages, and hazardous air quality. Multiple film and television productions currently underway have been halted, along with numerous premieres and events due to the unpredictable spread of the fires and toxic air conditions.
This past Tuesday, Amazon MGM Studios and Universal Studios canceled their respective premieres for 'Unstoppable' and 'Wolf Man'. Paramount and Max also decided to cancel their Wednesday events for 'Better Man' and 'The Pitt'.
Apple TV+ announced the cancellation of the January 13 premiere of 'Severance Season 2', citing safety concerns for attendees and staff. Likewise, Sony/Tri-Star postponed the premiere of their comedy film 'One of Them Days', starring Keke Palmer and SZA, while NBCUniversal scrapped an all-day press event for several of its shows, including 'The Traitors' and 'Poker Face'.
Netflix also pulled a planned music event for Emilia Perez, while Roadside Attractions canceled the January 9 premiere of 'The Last Showgirl', featuring Pamela Anderson and Kiernan Shipka.
In the music scene, the iHeartRadio ALTer EGO festival, which was scheduled for Saturday and was set to feature bands like Fontaines D.C. and St. Vincent, was canceled. Event organizers expressed their concern for the affected community and extended their gratitude to first responders.
The annual Oscar Nominations Announcement, AFI Awards luncheon, and BAFTA Tea Party have also been postponed, highlighting the broader impact on award season events, as reported by Xinhua.
Moreover, the wildfires have disrupted the sporting landscape, leading to the Los Angeles Lakers postponing their Thursday home game against the Charlotte Hornets. The Rams' playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings was relocated to Glendale, Arizona.
The NFL is actively monitoring air quality and its effect on training schedules for both the Rams and Chargers. Several college sporting events, including a basketball game at Pepperdine University, have also been postponed as campuses like Pepperdine's Malibu location face restricted access due to the fires.
As of Friday, the wildfires have resulted in the destruction of over 12,300 structures and claimed at least 11 lives, with officials cautioning that the actual death toll may remain unclear until safety allows investigators to access neighborhoods. Over 100,000 individuals are currently under evacuation orders, with tens of thousands more under warnings.
