The wildfire raging in the suburban area of Pacific Palisades near Los Angeles, California, has claimed 5 lives and left dozens injured, with damages now estimated to exceed $50 billion.
Initially confined to 10 acres, the fire has rapidly spread to thousands of acres due to strong winds. Over 1,000 homes and businesses have been reduced to ashes, including Al-Taqwa Mosque in Altadena and the luxurious homes of Hollywood celebrities.
The fire’s intensity has overwhelmed firefighters, with water supplies running low. Millions have been forced to evacuate the affected areas. The city’s air quality has deteriorated to hazardous levels, and reports of looting in abandoned homes have emerged.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of the blaze, which has left the region grappling with devastating losses.
