Fighting against odds | Forecast for more strong winds is raising fears that the blazes could spread further ; ash and smoke major health concerns for citizens

People face loss of home & biz amid blame game 

Six wildfires are currently raging in Los Angeles county

The Palisades fire, at 21,317 acres and 8% containment

The Eaton fire, at 13,690 acres and 3% containment

The Kenneth fire, at 1,052 acres and 50% containment

The Hurst fire, at 771 acres and 37% containment

The Lidia fire, at 395 acres and 98% containment

The Archer fire, at 19 acres and 0% containment

Courtesy The Guardian

Agencies LOS ANGELES

The California wildfires that have devastated six neighborhoods of Los Angeles county, killing  at least 11 people and damaging  or destroying more than 12,000 structures, continues to rage on, on Saturday.

Firefighters finally started gaining control over two major wildfires on the eastern and western flanks of Los Angeles on Friday as fierce winds that supercharged the fires for days eased.

However, BBC reports, a forecast for more strong winds is raising fears that the blazes could spread further and a red flag warning - indicating critical fire conditions - is in place

With thousands of people suddenly homeless and the thickening smoke leading US officials to declare a public health emergency, firefighters said they were making progress in arresting the Palisades fire on the western edge of the city and the Eaton fire in its foothills, Reuters reported.

An evacuation order  was  expanded near the Palisades Fire as officials worked to contain the blaze, which has raged since Tuesday. About 153,000 people remained under evacuation orders and another 166,800 faced evacuation warnings, with a curfew in place for all evacuation zones, Los Angeles county sheriff Robert Luna said.

Seven neighboring states, the federal government and Canada have rushed aid to California, bolstering aerial teams dropping water and fire retardant on the flaming hills and crews on the ground attacking fire lines with hand tools and hoses.

Six deaths have been confirmed in the Eaton fire and five in the Palisades. The victims have been identified. President Joe Biden describes Los Angeles as a "war scene" while warning the death toll is "likely" to increase.

Don't politicise disaster, Guv  to Trump

California Governor Gavin Newsom has invited President-elect Donald Trump to visit California, urging him not to "politicise" the disastrous fires that have swept across Los Angeles.

In a letter published on X, Newsom asked Trump to join him and "see the devastation first hand". "In the spirit of this great country, we must not politicise human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines," Newsom wrote.

The letter added that "hundreds of thousands of Americans - displaced from their homes and fearful for the future - deserve to see all of us working in their best interests to ensure a fast recovery and rebuild".

The letter further said that the fires, including the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, Woodley, and Kenneth Fires, have devastated the Greater Los Angeles Area. Tens of thousands of acres have burned. Thousands have lost their homes and businesses. The loss and devastation are horrific.

The invitation comes as Trump blamed Newsom for the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area. In a post shared on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump said that Newsom refused to sign the water restoration declaration that would have pumped more water to flow into California.

Budget cut hits ‘ability’ to fight: Fire chief

Los Angeles fire chief Kristin Crowley, who was  accused of not doing enough to protect the city against the fires, told CNN that the fire department took a $17million  budget cut - and any type of cut "would negatively impact our ability to carry out our mission.”.

"It is absolutely, one of the most horrific natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles," she said  of the Palisades Fire, adding the budget cut and elimination of civilian positions, such as mechanics, has affected the department’s  ability to fight the fire.

More than 100 apparatus are out of service right now, with nobody to fix them, which would have helped efforts, Crowley added. For years,  "the fire department needed help" because there aren't enough firefighters or fire stations, she said.

Governor Newsom has ordered an investigation of  reports that firefighters have struggled with low water supplies, impeding their disaster response.

Local health emergency declared

Los Angeles authorities have declared a local health emergency for the whole county due to poor air quality, as fire ash and smoke from the wildfires blankets the area.

In a statement, LA County Public Health issued the declaration and a public health order as the fires and strong winds have "severely degraded air quality...posing immediate and long-term risks to public health".

Authorities added that the fires have forced residents from their homes and evacuations from healthcare facilities, disrupting "vital health services and resources".

The health order also bans the use of power air blowers - such as leaf blowers - as they stir up ash in the air, negatively impacting those with respiratory conditions, older adults, children, and other vulnerable populations.

People were  advised to stay indoors, keep windows and doors closed, use air conditioners to recirculate and filter the air, and to wear a mask if going outdoors in smoky conditions. Pets should also be kept indoors.