New Blaze Breaks Out, National Guard Deployed: What’s happening in Los Angeles?

New Blaze Breaks Out, National Guard Deployed: What’s happening in Los Angeles: A new wildfire broke out on Thursday evening in Los Angeles’ West Hills neighborhood, rapidly spreading across more than 900 acres in a matter of hours. The devastating fires have already claimed the lives of at least 10 people, with first responders stretched thin across Southern California as they battle several fires ravaging the region. Thousands of homes have been destroyed, and tens of thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate.

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The Pacific Palisades fire, which has burned through over 19,000 acres, and the Altadena fire, consuming 13,000 acres, have contributed to a massive displacement of people. These ongoing wildfires have forced entire communities to evacuate, leaving them uncertain of their homes’ fate.

In response to the escalating crisis, California’s National Guard has been deployed to assist in containing the fires. Governor Gavin Newsom declared, “We are deploying all available resources, including National Guard personnel, to protect our communities in the coming days.” He also issued a stern warning about looting in evacuation zones, where reports of such incidents have surfaced.

Among the worst-hit areas are Pacific Palisades and Altadena, where affluent neighborhoods have been destroyed, including multi-million-dollar homes. Celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, and Billy Crystal have been affected by the devastation. Nearly 180,000 residents remain under mandatory evacuation orders, and the death toll continues to rise. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the disaster as “an unprecedented, historic firestorm.”

In response to the catastrophic fires, President Joe Biden has pledged federal aid to assist California in managing the crisis. “This is the most widespread and destructive fire in California’s history,” Biden remarked during a White House briefing.

The fires have also sparked a political confrontation. President-elect Donald Trump criticized Governor Newsom via his Truth Social platform, calling him “Gavin Newscum” and accusing him of mismanaging the fires. Trump’s remarks focused on issues like water management and fire prevention. In contrast, President Biden has urged the American public to avoid politicizing the disaster.

Amid the wildfire crisis, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who recently announced his decision to step down, offered assistance. In an act of solidarity, Trudeau shared a video on X showing Canadian firefighters working to combat the flames in Los Angeles. “Neighbors helping neighbors,” he wrote, reinforcing the international community’s support.

Local shelters have been overwhelmed with donations from residents eager to help, but officials have started redirecting supplies to other locations to ensure proper distribution. Meanwhile, the Sunset Fire in Hollywood Hills, which ignited on Wednesday night, forced the evacuation of thousands. Though some residents were able to return briefly on Thursday after containment efforts were made, the danger is far from over.

Conspiracy theories have emerged on social media, with some falsely claiming that firefighting resources have been sent to Ukraine or that staffing shortages are due to diversity-related issues. These claims remain unsubstantiated and have sparked controversy.

Experts attribute the intensity of the fires to a combination of factors, including two decades of drought followed by two years of unusually heavy rainfall. This has created an abundance of dry vegetation, providing ample fuel for the wildfires. The lack of significant rainfall in the past eight months has only worsened the situation, and meteorologists warn that conditions will remain “critical,” with strong winds and dry weather expected to persist.