Los Angeles residents advised not to return home for at least a week

(CLO) Los Angeles officials announced that most residents evacuated due to wildfires will not be able to return home for at least the next week.

Rescue workers are still cleaning up toxic waste from burned residential areas and disconnecting electricity and gas to ensure safety.

Los Angeles firefighters fight a fire. Photo: X / LACOFD

Mudslides continue to threaten the already devastated hillsides as flattened structures lose their grip on the soil. Water from broken fire hydrants and pipes has soaked the ground, increasing the risk of landslides and adding to the suffering of those already suffering from the worst natural disaster in Los Angeles history.

Although the fires have been raging for 10 days, firefighters have temporarily eased the pressure by controlling two large fires from spreading further.

However, the National Weather Service (NWS) warns that dangerous weather will return on Sunday.

Many evacuees are eager to return to inspect the damage and search for valuables and medicines. However, authorities have stressed that this is too dangerous and will disrupt rescue efforts. The disaster has claimed at least 27 lives.

In total, the Palisades Fire west of Los Angeles and the Eaton Fire in the eastern hills have burned 56 square miles — an area larger than Paris or nearly three times the size of Manhattan.

At least 12,000 structures were destroyed or damaged, leaving 82,400 people still displaced and another 90,400 under evacuation warnings.

Los Angeles officials said some people could be released sooner, but many others will have to wait longer as authorities continue to search for and identify victims' bodies.

Damaged homes contain toxic chemicals that require treatment by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before local authorities can clean up and restore electricity and water.

Los Angeles Public Works Director Mark Pestrella warned that the large amounts of trash and hazardous materials could compromise the area’s flood control systems, a threat that could become even more acute as the rainy season approaches after nine months of drought.

Police once experimented with letting people go home temporarily but had to stop because it blocked the way for fire trucks and took too much manpower.

Total damage could reach $250 billion, making it the costliest natural disaster in US history, AccuWeather predicts.

The disaster also complicates Los Angeles' preparations for major sporting events such as the 2026 World Cup, the 2027 Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympics. However, experts say the possibility of the Olympics having to be postponed is very low.

Cao Phong (according to LA Times, Reuters, CNN)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nguoi-dan-los-angeles-duoc-khuyen-cao-khong-ve-nha-it-nhat-mot-tuan-nua-post330795.html