Maps and images reveal scale of LA wildfire devastation

In Los Angeles, firefighters are facing a serious challenge as they battle massive wildfires that have tragically claimed the lives of at least 24 individuals. These fires have destroyed thousands of buildings and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. The situation is rapidly evolving, and maps and images are helping to illustrate the extent of the devastation and the areas affected by the flames. The largest fire, known as the Palisades Fire, is now recognized as the most destructive fire in the history of Los Angeles, having consumed over 23,000 acres of land. To put this into perspective, if you were to compare the area affected by the fire to maps of New York and London, it would stretch from Clapham to Greenwich in London or cover significant portions of lower Manhattan and Queens in New York City. Currently, there are four major fires burning in the Los Angeles area. The Palisades Fire is the largest, raging between Santa Monica and Malibu, with a burnt area of 23,713 acres. The second largest is the Eaton Fire, located north of Pasadena, which has burned 14,117 acres. The Hurst Fire, situated to the northeast of the city, has burned 799 acres and is reported to be 97% contained. Lastly, the Auto Fire, located to the west in Ventura County, has burned 56 acres. Firefighting aircraft are actively being deployed to combat the spread of these fires, with helicopters flying near burning structures in an effort to contain the flames. Fortunately, six other fires have been successfully contained. The Kenneth Fire, which occurred in the West Hills area just north of the Palisades, was contained after burning through 1,052 acres. Other smaller fires, such as the Lidia Fire, which burned 395 acres, and the Archer Fire, which consumed 19 acres, have also been extinguished. The Sunset Fire, located in the historic Hollywood Hills area, burned 43 acres. The largest fires have resulted in the destruction of thousands of buildings, with officials reporting that more than 12,000 structures have been lost due to the two largest fires, with approximately 5,000 buildings destroyed in both the Palisades and Eaton blazes. While the maps indicate that the fires are primarily affecting uninhabited areas, they have also spread into populated regions, leading to significant damage. Analysis of satellite data from experts at CUNY Graduate Center and Oregon State University reveals that while some buildings within the fire zone have escaped damage, many have been severely impacted or completely destroyed. The Palisades Fire has particularly devastated beachfront homes, including those belonging to numerous celebrities. The fires are so large that they can even be seen from space, as shown in satellite images capturing the California coastline and the enormous plumes of smoke rising from the flames. The combination of an exceptionally dry period, with downtown Los Angeles receiving only 0. 16 inches of rain since October, and powerful offshore winds known as the Santa Ana winds have created ideal conditions for wildfires. These winds flow from east to west through the mountains of Southern California, drying out vegetation and lowering humidity levels. When a fire ignites, these winds can quickly turn smoldering embers into a raging inferno. The Palisades Fire has spread at an alarming rate, intensifying within just a few hours. At 2:00 PM on Tuesday, it covered 772 acres, and within four hours, it had tripled in size. Now, the Palisades Fire has expanded to cover more than 23,000 acres, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate as over 1,400 firefighters work tirelessly to combat the blaze. The Eaton Fire has also rapidly increased in size, growing from approximately 1,000 acres on Tuesday to over 14,000 acres, leading to further evacuations. Photographers have been capturing the heartbreaking damage caused by the fires, showcasing before-and-after images that highlight the destruction. For instance, a bait and tackle shop in the Palisades area, once standing proudly, is now engulfed in flames. A cafe that was once bright and inviting has been reduced to charred remains. The Jewish Temple in Pasadena, which has served the community since 1941, has also been destroyed by the Eaton Fire. As authorities continue to work on containing the fires, the full extent of the losses is still being assessed, but it is anticipated that these fires will be among the costliest in US history, with losses expected to exceed $135 billion. Firefighters are facing a critical day ahead, as forecasters warn of particularly dangerous winds in northwest LA that could exacerbate the situation. A red flag weather warning has been issued for wind gusts reaching up to 70 mph, while residents in other parts of LA have been advised to stay indoors to avoid dust and ash from the fires.