The weeks-long battle against the flames in Southern California is not over yet. New fires flared up in various places. So far, 28 people have been killed and at least 22 are still missing. Several residents whose homes burned are now suing the city of Los Angeles and the water authority.
Among them is the actor couple Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt. One allegation concerns a large water reservoir that had been empty for some time due to repairs when the fires raged. Dry fire hydrants would have made firefighting efforts more difficult. The Eaton and Palisades wildfires together destroyed more than 16,000 buildings. Search teams have so far found 28 dead in the charred rubble.
According to police, the fate of 22 residents of Malibu and Altadena is still unclear. Over the weekend, a storm with rain and cooler temperatures should provide relief after a long dry spell.
Billions in aid are pouring in
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced state funding of more than $2.5 billion (equivalent to €2.4 billion) for affected fire areas. The money is intended, among other things, for the rapid removal of fire residues and toxic waste and for reconstruction.
US President Donald Trump blamed Newsom for the scale of the fires and said shortly after his inauguration that he would make aid to California conditional. “They (Californians) have been hit hard, as you know. And a lot of this could have been prevented if they had had water, which they had in abundance, but didn’t use it,” he said.
Nevertheless, Trump has now promised aid during his visit to the Los Angeles area. ‘It’s like you’ve been hit by a bomb. We want to solve it.” The two politicians shook hands several times, Trump and his wife Melania took a photo of the destruction in Pacific Palisades.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
