Los Angeles investigates fire blame as curfew enforced

As wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles, leaving a trail of destruction and loss, residents are demanding accountability for the disaster that has claimed at least 11 lives and destroyed thousands of homes.

The fires, described by President Joe Biden as resembling a “war scene,” have prompted a strict sunset-to-sunrise curfew to prevent looting and maintain order in evacuated areas.

Governor Gavin Newsom ordered an independent review of the city’s utilities after reports of dry hydrants hampered initial firefighting efforts. “We need answers to how that happened,” Newsom wrote in an open letter, describing the situation as “deeply troubling.”

Residents expressed their frustration over the perceived failures. Nicole Perri, whose home in Pacific Palisades was destroyed, lamented, “Officials completely let us down.” Similarly, Nicholas Norman from Altadena added, “They let us, the ordinary people, burn.”

The fires have forced new evacuations, including areas near the Getty Center, a $1 billion museum housing 125,000 artworks. Meanwhile, as fears of looting grow, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell warned, “If we see you in these areas, you will be subject to arrest.” Violators face fines of up to $1,000 or six months in prison. The National Guard has been deployed to assist law enforcement.

The wildfires, fueled by dry conditions and intense winds, have burned over 37,000 acres and destroyed approximately 10,000 buildings. Despite calmer winds providing a brief respite, emergency chiefs warned of worsening conditions in the coming days. “The winds have died down today, but… are going to increase again in the coming days,” said Deanne Criswell, FEMA administrator.

The cause of the blazes remains under investigation, with Biden cautioning against misinformation. “You’re going to have a lot of demagogues out there trying to take advantage of it,” he said, subtly criticizing incoming president Donald Trump, who has been spreading false claims about the fires.

Newsom extended an invitation to Trump to visit Los Angeles and witness the devastation firsthand, urging against politicizing the tragedy. “In the spirit of this great country, we must not politicize human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines,” Newsom said.

Emergency managers apologized after false evacuation alerts caused widespread panic. “I can’t express enough how sorry I am,” said Kevin McGowan, director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley attributed some of the challenges to recent funding cuts, stating her department was “understaffed” and “under-resourced.”

As Los Angeles grapples with the aftermath of the fires, the focus now shifts to recovery and addressing the concerns raised by residents, while bracing for potential new outbreaks fueled by changing weather conditions and ongoing climate challenges.