Maps and images reveal scale of LA wildfire devastation

In Los Angeles, firefighters are currently engaged in a fierce battle against massive wildfires that have wreaked havoc across the region. These devastating fires have tragically claimed the lives of at least 25 individuals, destroyed thousands of buildings, and forced tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. The situation is rapidly evolving, and the use of maps and images is crucial in illustrating the scale of the disaster, the locations of the fires, and the extent of the damage inflicted. The most significant fire, known as the Palisades Fire, has become the most destructive wildfire in the history of Los Angeles, consuming over 23,000 acres of land. To put this into perspective, if you were to compare the affected area to maps of New York and London, it would stretch from Clapham to Greenwich in London or cover large portions of lower Manhattan and Queens in New York City. As of January 14, there are four active 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 fire 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 consumed 799 acres and is reported to be 97% contained. Lastly, the Auto Fire, located to the west of the city in Ventura County, has burned 56 acres. Firefighting aircraft are being deployed to combat the spread of these fires, with helicopters flying near burning structures as the Palisades Fire continues to rage on. Fortunately, six other fires have been successfully contained. The Kenneth Fire, located in the West Hills area just north of the Palisades, was contained after burning through 1,052 acres since Thursday. The Lidia Fire, reported in the hills north of Los Angeles, burned 395 acres. The Archer Fire, a small fire that ignited on Friday, consumed 19 acres. The Woodley Fire, another small fire reported in local parkland, burned 30 acres. The Olivas Fire, first reported in Ventura County about 50 miles east of Los Angeles, burned 11 acres. Lastly, the Sunset Fire, which occurred in the historic Hollywood Hills area near famous landmarks, burned 43 acres. The largest fires have resulted in the destruction of thousands of buildings. Officials estimate 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. As the accompanying maps illustrate, the fires are primarily burning in uninhabited areas, but they have also encroached upon populated regions. Analysis of satellite data conducted by experts from CUNY Graduate Center and Oregon State University indicates that while some buildings within the fire zone have escaped damage, many others have been severely affected or completely destroyed. The risk of further damage remains high, depending on how the fires continue to spread. The Eaton Fire has particularly impacted working-class neighborhoods in Altadena, which residents report have been utterly devastated. The Palisades Fire has swept down the hills and along the coast, destroying beachfront homes, including those belonging to numerous celebrities. Among the properties lost in the Palisades blaze are many exclusive residences lining the Malibu waterfront to the west. Both the Palisades and Eaton fires are so large that they can be seen from space, as evidenced by satellite images. The California coastline is currently engulfed in flames, with massive plumes of smoke rising from the fires. 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. According to the National Weather Service, these winds flow 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 rapid spread of the Palisades Fire is alarming. A map detailing the fire's development shows that within just a few hours, it expanded from covering 772 acres to approximately three times that size. As of now, the Palisades Fire has engulfed more than 23,000 acres, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate the area. The Eaton Fire has also experienced rapid growth, increasing from about 1,000 acres on Tuesday to over 14,000 acres, resulting in additional evacuations. Photographers have been capturing the heartbreaking damage caused by the fires, providing before-and-after images that highlight the extent of the destruction. For instance, a bait and tackle shop in the Palisades area was completely engulfed in flames, while a once-vibrant cafe is now reduced to charred remains. The Jewish Temple in Pasadena, which has served the community since 1941, was also destroyed by the Eaton Fire. As authorities continue their efforts to contain the fires, the full scope of the losses is still being assessed. Experts predict that the financial impact of these fires will be among the highest in US history, with losses already expected to exceed $135 billion. Firefighters are facing a critical day ahead, as forecasters warn of particularly dangerous winds in northwestern Los Angeles 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 remain indoors to avoid exposure to dust and ash.