Historic Southern California Wildfires Kill at Least 5, Force 180,000 to Evacuate

What Happened?

At least five people have been reportedly killed and roughly 2,000 structures were destroyed as wildfires continue to impact the Southern California region.

Nearly 180,000 people were placed under evacuation orders Thursday as the Palisades fire has covered more than 17,200 acres and is 0% contained.

The NFL has moved the Wild Card round playoff game between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Monday, Jan. 13 to an alternative location.

According to reports, the preliminary damages and economic loss from the fires are estimated to be $52 billion to $57 billion.

NBA head coach JJ Redick of the Los Angeles Lakers was reportedly among the many citizens who lost their homes amidst the destruction.

The White House announced President Joe Biden had canceled an upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on Washington's response to assist.

Biden approved a federal emergency declaration he pledged to sign after meeting with California Governor Gavin Newsom Wednesday at a fire station in Santa Monica.

Newsom took to social media to state that more than 7,500 firefighting personnel are helping respond to the ongoing historic wildfires.

The fires reportedly threaten groundbreaking scientific research institutions and key landmarks made famous by Hollywood.

Why it Matters

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said during a news conference Thursday that the 'historic winds' and extensive rain droughts created the 'perfect storm.'

But Bass was heavily criticized Wednesday as reports revealed she cut the city’s fire department budget by $17.6 million before this crisis to prioritize funds for homelessness which went unspent.

The budget for homelessness was also reportedly reduced in the 2024-2025 budget but remained larger than the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).

President-elect Donald Trump also criticized Bass and Newsom on Truth Social in a series of posts that acknowledged the fire is 'spreading rapidly' and called for the governor's resignation.

Trump referenced claims that Newsom 'refused to sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California.'

Water scarcity director Mark Gold for the Natural Resources Defense Council told reporters that Trump’s comments do not reflect California’s complex water supply systems and instead pointed to 'a changing climate.'

According to the Western Fire Chiefs Association, California’s wildfire season began earlier due to rising temperatures and decreased rainfall tied to climate change which results in fires burning through the winter months.

How it Affects You

The incoming administration under Trump's leadership will have to assess this crisis and quickly work with state officials to manage these future efforts on the road to recovery.

President Biden has also warned that recovery 'is going to take time' as the historic incident has damaged many parts of the region.

Bass has pledged an evaluation of the city’s response to the ongoing fires once things settle down at a point in time.

But the clock is ticking as some officials have reportedly suggested that this crisis could become the worst disaster in California's history.