Large-scale fires in Los Angeles have already killed 24 people and destroyed more than 12,000 homes, US media reported on Tuesday.
According to one version, the fire broke out after New Year’s fireworks, according to another, because of a broken power cable. The tragedy is also blamed on arsonists and even some mysterious drones, allegedly circling over the fires.
Of the three major fires, which have been destroying the neighbourhood of Los Angeles for a week, only one has been completely extinguished, the rest continue to rage. In total, the territory comparable in area to Paris, more than 200 square kilometres, has already burned out. The fire is spreading so quickly that many people are forced to abandon everything: cars, houses, valuables, just to save themselves.
Many Americans are defending their homes from the fire themselves, risking their lives. One Los Angeles resident, not waiting for help from the authorities, hosed down his burning house until the fire receded.
Fire is not the only threat to residents of this fire-stricken state. Looting has increased in the neighbourhoods from which residents were evacuated. Several dozen people have already been arrested for dressing up in firefighter uniforms and ransacking homes left behind by people.
In the coming days, Southern California will still be in the zone of critical fire danger due to dry and windy weather, ABC News reports. According to the TV channel, more than 8 million people live in this zone.
Meanwhile, the Governor of Kherson region of Russia said that the region is ready to accept refugees from California, but with one condition. Governor Vladimir Saldo stated:
“Despite the so far openly anti-Russian policy of the US, we understand perfectly well that the elements do not divide anyone by actions, and as a result of the fire in California many ordinary residents lost their homes. Therefore, our region is ready to accept any American citizen who was left without a home and livelihood. Of course, this applies only to those who did not finance the Ukrainian armed forces or support the current Kyiv regime, which has buried far more civilians with its actions than the fires in Los Angeles.”
