Unstoppable California fires engulf more urban land than any in recent history

Two massive wildfires that broke out in California last week have caused unprecedented destruction, affecting more residential areas than any other fire in the state since the 1980s.

The fires, which have been burning for nearly 10 days, have severely impacted Los Angeles, particularly the Palisades and Eaton neighbourhoods on the city's outskirts.

An Associated Press analysis of data from the Silvis Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison reveals that the urban land destroyed by these fires in the Palisades and Eaton areas is greater than any fire in California since the mid-1980s, per Caliber.Az.

The relentless flames, fueled by powerful winds from the Pacific Ocean, have consumed entire homes and businesses, leaving vast swathes of residential areas in ruins.

Approximately 10.36 square kilometres of residential land in Los Angeles have been destroyed in the ongoing fires, which have now become the most destructive in California in the past 40 years. This is more than double the area razed by the Woolsey Fire in 2018, highlighting the intensity and scale of the current disaster.

The fires, which ignited in the Pacific Palisades on January 7, spread quickly to the neighbouring Eaton, Hearst, Sunset, and Woodley areas, exacerbated by winds pushing the flames into more urban areas. As of the latest reports, at least 25 people have been confirmed dead due to the wildfires, with hundreds of others suffering injuries and losses.

The economic toll of the fires is staggering. With thousands of acres burned, the total damages and economic losses are estimated to range between $250 billion and $275 billion, making it one of the most costly wildfire disasters in history. The fires continue to threaten even more parts of Los Angeles, with emergency services working tirelessly to combat the flames and assist those affected.

As the wildfires burn on, the entire region is grappling with the devastating consequences of this record-breaking disaster.

By Tamilla Hasanova