Tens of thousands of residents evacuated from their homes in Los Angeles as wildfires ravaged the area have been told they will not be allowed to return for at least another week. The directive has sparked growing frustration among evacuees, many of whom are unable to return even to homes that survived the flames.
“There was a group chat where everyone was complaining, getting mad, saying, ‘Why do they keep on locking us out of our homes?'” Ronnen Miz, an evacuee, told local broadcaster KTLA.
The fires, which have burned through more than 40,000 acres, have created unsafe conditions, according to officials. Power, gas, and sewage lines have been destroyed, and dangerous toxic waste is scattered throughout the area. Authorities are also concerned about the potential for hazardous mudslides, especially in the wake of heavy rains.
“It’s going to be a while,” said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna at a press conference. “At minimum, at least another week, but I believe it’s going to be longer than that.”
As of the latest update, at least 27 people have died as a result of the fires, which spread rapidly through affluent areas such as Pacific Palisades and more mixed communities like Altadena. Search teams are continuing to comb through the wreckage, with officials warning that the death toll may rise.
“We believe there may be deceased victims still in the affected areas,” Luna added, as authorities work to secure unsafe locations.
Environmental hazards remain a significant concern. Teams from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have begun removing dangerous materials, including pesticides, fuel, and lithium batteries, before beginning any debris cleanup. Los Angeles County Director of Public Works Mark Pestrella warned that destabilized hillsides, coupled with any substantial rain, could trigger mudslides that pose serious health risks.
“All of the street areas and communities will be impacted by debris flows that could be hazardous to human health,” Pestrella said.
In a personal tragedy, former tennis champion Pam Shriver revealed that irreplaceable trophies, including five US Open titles, were stolen after she evacuated her Brentwood home. She expressed her heartbreak, saying, “It’s really sad that when people are at their lowest, others are taking advantage of the situation.”
While firefighters continue to battle hotspots with the help of crews from across the U.S. and inmate volunteers, efforts to contain the fire are slowly improving. Firefighting teams have expressed relief as gusting winds that had fueled the fire subsided.
Inmate Jacob Castro, who has served 29 years in prison, explained his motivation for helping, saying, “It’s the first thing I’ve done in my life that I’m proud of.” He views his involvement as a way to repay society and make amends for past mistakes.