Los Angeles officials have urged most wildfire evacuees to remain away from their homes for at least another week as emergency crews work to remove toxic waste, restore utilities, and stabilize landslide-prone areas in fire-damaged neighborhoods.
Saturated ground and leveled structures have further destabilized hillsides, adding to the challenges of the region’s worst natural disaster in history.
As the fires continued into their tenth day, firefighters were relieved to maintain containment despite recent high winds and low humidity.
However, hazardous fire conditions are expected to return by Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
While many evacuees are desperate to assess damage or recover personal items, officials emphasize the risks involved. Toxic ash, severed utilities, and the ongoing cleanup by the Environmental Protection Agency and local agencies make re-entry dangerous. Over 82,000 residents remain under evacuation orders, with another 90,000 on standby.
The Palisades fire, burning on Los Angeles’ west side, has scorched nearly 24,000 acres and is 27% contained, while the Eaton fire, east of the city, has burned over 14,000 acres and is 55% contained. Combined, the two fires have devastated an area larger than Paris, destroying or damaging at least 12,000 structures.
Evacuees like Frank McGrath, who lost his home in the Eaton fire, face uncertainty and heartbreak. McGrath, his wife, and their daughter are temporarily staying with family as he prepares to sift through the rubble for heirlooms, though he knows many are likely lost.
Others, like behavioral therapist Melanie Alonso, are unable to return even to intact homes due to toxic ash and pending insurance inspections.
Some residents defied evacuation orders to protect their properties, like John Carr, who stayed behind to fight flames with a garden hose, suffering minor injuries in the process.
Officials, however, caution against such actions, citing safety risks.
Recovery efforts are further complicated by debris, toxic waste, and damage to the region’s flood control systems, which must be cleared before the rainy season begins.
Officials have also suspended regulations to expedite reconstruction, with estimated damages exceeding $250 billion, potentially making these fires the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.
Despite the destruction, preparations for major upcoming events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics are expected to proceed, though recovery efforts remain the immediate focus.
