Wildfires Devastate Los Angeles, Mass Evacuations Ordered

Wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area have resulted in at least 10 fatalities and the destruction of over 10,000 structures, prompting mass evacuations of nearly 180,000 residents. The most significant fires, the Palisades and Eaton fires, have devastated areas such as Pacific Palisades and Pasadena, with the former alone consuming nearly 20,000 acres. Efforts to contain the fires are ongoing, with over 7,500 personnel including out-of-state support deployed to combat the blazes. Despite a temporary lull in winds aiding firefighting efforts, conditions are expected to worsen, raising concerns about the potential rise in the death toll. The fires have also led to the closure of Los Angeles Unified schools and the mobilization of the California National Guard to maintain order amidst reports of looting. Officials have described the situation as a historic natural disaster with unprecedented destruction, likening the aftermath to an 'atomic bomb' impact.