Palisades and Eaton Fires now among most destructive wildfires recorded in California history
Two Los Angeles County wildfires which tore through more than 34,000 acres, killing at least 10 people and destroying thousands of structures, are now among the five most destructive fires recorded in the state of California.
On Thursday, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection added the Eaton and Palisades fires — which are both still burning after sparking Tuesday — to the state's list of most destructive wildfires. This list includes fires throughout California that have burned down and totally destroyed the largest number of structures, which includes buildings but also outhouses, barns, garages and sheds. The list goes back to 1932, when the state first started tracking death and destruction caused by wildfires.
The Palisades Fire is the third most destructive wildfire recorded in state history and the Eaton Fire is the fourth most destructive, as of Friday, according to Cal Fire. On Friday morning, the list from Cal Fire reported that 5,316 structures were destroyed in the Palisades Fire and more than 5,000 in the Eaton Fire.
However, as they spoke to reporters during several news conferences this week, local fire authorities gave updated numbers for the number of structures damaged and destroyed — combining those two figures as more than 10,000 between the two fires. This would suggest the confirmed number of structures destroyed, not damaged, would be lower than what Cal Fire has.
Either way, law enforcement and fire officials have said the total damage and destruction is still being assessed while the wildfires remain far from contained, continuing to actively burn amid weather conditions challenging firefighting efforts.
No other blazes in Los Angeles County appear on the state's list of 20 most destructive in California history.
Homes have been burned to the ground and several buildings completely destroyed. Schools, restaurants, churches, grocery stores and beloved LA landmarks have all been among those reduced to rubble and debris this week.
"It's all burned down. Everything — my kids' school, our community, our neighbors' houses. Everything is just burned down. Everything is gone," said an Altadena woman who lost her home, speaking through tears as she looked out at a desolate intersection.
Powerful winds swept the flames of the Eaton Fire through the community. On Thursday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed at least 10 deaths tied to the Eaton and Palisades fires. Earlier in the day, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna had said authorities were still working to come up with exact figures as deputies were still searching through the debris.
They have been looking through the wreckage for human remains with K-9 units while firefighting efforts continue. He said deputies will "hopefully not discover too many fatalities" although what ends up happening remains to be seen.
"That's our prayer. But this is a crisis, and we don't know what to expect," Luna said.
