Pinned
The Southern California wildfires that have killed at least five and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate the area are expected to leave lasting economic damage of more than $150 billion, a new report suggests.
According to an updated estimate from AccuWeather, the major wildfires that have blanketed the Los Angeles area with thick clouds of smoke and ash could create economic losses between $135 billion and $150 billion.
Paris Hilton is left heartbroken after losing her Malibu home amid the ongoing wildfires sweeping across Southern California, but is using her tragedy to help others in similar scenarios.
Taking to social media on Jan. 8, the 43-year-old said she learned of her loss by watching her home burn down on live news coverage of the devastating fires with a reporter surveying damage along the Pacific Coast Highway.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom accused President-elect Donald Trump of politicizing the ongoing wildfire crisis after the incoming president blamed his leadership for the fires currently raging through the Los Angeles area.
The governor praised President Joe Biden’s response to the wildfires.
A slew of wildfires circling the Los Angeles area on multiple fronts got closer to the heart of the U.S. movie industry on Thursday as a new fire erupted in the hills near Hollywood, prompting the Biden administration to direct the Pentagon to act.
“The federal government is working closely with the National Guard, which is deployed under [California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s] state of emergency declaration,” DOD spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters.
As four massive fires engulf Los Angeles, critics are blaming the government for putting lives, homes, and businesses at risk.
“Our first priority is the protection of life, which means a lot of times we’re evacuating people and making sure people get out safely,” said Digiovanna, a former fire chief in Monrovia, part of Los Angeles County.