Los Angeles wildfires could worsen with wind gusts as 20 looters arrested
Donald Trump blames Democratic governor over California water shortages that have hampered firefighters, as celebrities including Jamie Lee Curtis and Prince Harry offer help to residents who have lost homes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Firefighters tackling the deadly and devastating Los Angeles wildfires have been warned that wind gusts of up to 60 mph are creating a āsignificantā risk of new blazes that could worsen the disaster.
Crews were able to contain a fire that broke out in the Hollywood Hills, close to the heart of the entertainment industry, and water-carrying aircraft were cleared to join the effort.
Los Angeles wildfires ā latest
More than 130,000 residents were under mandatory evacuation orders on Thursday, and the National Weather Service said another round of strong winds could stoke the flames that have already laid waste more than 2,000 homes and blanketed the vast metropolitan area in a thick cloud of smoke and ash.
Adding to the heat, Donald Trump reignited his feud with the California governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, blaming him for the dry fire hydrants that have also hampered firefighting efforts. The president-elect hit out at Governor Newsom, accusing him of refusing to act on water restoration projects in California and of prioritising the needs of wildlife over residents ā claims that were fact-checked as false.
The biggest fire, in the Pacific Palisades district where many celebrities live, āis one of the most destructive fires in the history of Los Angelesā, LA fire chief Kristin Crowley said.
Oscar-winning actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her family are pledging a million dollars (Ā£812,000) to start a āfund of supportā for those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires, while the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who live further up the California coast in Montecito,Ā urged people to help friends and loved ones who have been forced to evacuate.
Paris Hilton, US actor Billy Crystal, The Princess Bride star Cary Elwes, talk-show host Ricki Lake and Oscar-winning songwriter Diane Warren are among those who have confirmed that their homes have been destroyed in the fires.
Curtis, 66, said she would be taking money from a foundation set up by her family to aid the areas most badly affected.
She said: āMy husband and I and our children have pledged 1 million dollars from our Family Foundation to start a fund of support for our great city and state and the great people who live and love there.ā
Harry and Meghan recommended a list of fire services charities, animal groups and other initiatives to support.
āIf a friend, loved one, or pet has to evacuate, and you are able to offer them a safe haven in your home, please do,ā they wrote on their website. āSome families and people have been left with nothing. Please consider donating clothing, childrenās toys, clothing and other essentials.ā
Meanwhile, authorities are vowing to crack down on alleged looters. Police have made 20 arrests since the wildfires broke out on Tuesday.
At a news conference, Los Angeles County supervisor Kathryn Barger addressed looters directly: āI promise you, you will be held accountable. Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis.ā
The blazes have also thrown Hollywoodās awards season into disarray, with the Producers Guild Awards announcing they will delay their nominations from Friday until Sunday.
The Screen Actors Guild Awards cancelled a live nominations announcement because of the wildfires, and a number of film premieres were called off as well.
US socialite Hilton said she was āheartbroken beyond wordsā to see her Malibu home āburn to the ground on live TVā. She called the loss āoverwhelmingā and said her home had been filled with āprecious memoriesā.
Meanwhile, experts say the fires could become the most costly in US history. Insured losses from this weekās fires may exceed $20bn, according to estimates published by JPMorgan ā far exceeding the $12.5bn from the 2018 Camp Fire.
The damage has also left hundreds of thousands without power, with nearly 420,000 outages being reported by tracker PowerOutage.us on Thursday.
LA sheriff Robert Luna said that deputies were touring the affected areas. āSome of āem looked like a bomb was dropped in āem,ā he said.
Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments