The Los Angeles wildfire is considered the most serious in California history, burning down many houses, leaving many people almost homeless and possibly causing damage of up to nearly 60 billion USD.

A serious wildfire in Los Angeles, USA has destroyed 2,000 homes and caused heavy damage.

“This is one of the worst wildfires in California history. If more homes are destroyed in the coming days, it could become the most destructive wildfire in modern California history,” Jonathan Porter, a meteorologist at weather forecasting company AccuWeather, told the Los Angeles Times .

The fires raging in the Los Angeles area are destroying some of the most expensive real estate in the country, where homes average more than $2 million each, according to AccuWeather data.

Experts say the wildfires are still spreading due to strong winds and could destroy more homes in the coming days.

Mr. Porter estimated that the material damage and economic loss from the Los Angeles wildfires could be as high as $52-57 billion. In addition, the smoke from the wildfires also has a long-term impact on public health and the region’s tourism industry.

JP Morgan estimates that insured losses could be as high as $10 billion. “The bulk of the damage is concentrated among homeowners,” the firm said.

The California wildfire burned down many homes and caused a scene of devastation like a war zone, leaving many people almost homeless.

“This was our home. It’s all destroyed, the fire has swallowed our dreams,” William Gonzales, a resident of Altadena, California, told AFP as he stood next to the smoldering rubble.

Jesus Hernandez worries about whether his parents will be compensated after their $1.3 million home was destroyed in the fire. “Hopefully insurance will cover most of it, otherwise we will have to go to other people’s houses,” he told AFP .
A massive wildfire in Los Angeles has destroyed 2,000 homes and caused extensive damage (Photo: Getty).

Wildfires have spread across Los Angeles in just over 24 hours, with the latest blaze breaking out in the Hollywood Hills, just half a mile from Hollywood Boulevard. High winds caused the flames to spread faster than emergency crews could respond.

High winds combined with dry conditions have created a perfect fire environment and become a nightmare for firefighters as they struggle to find water. Many hydrants in the Pacific Palisades area have stopped working after their tanks ran dry.

Pacific Palisades resident David Stewart said he would not give up on the fire. “The county cut off our water supply, so we had to shovel dirt to put it out. We saved three homes, but the fire is still spreading,” Stewart said.

He could hardly imagine the desolation of the place he had spent his life in. “Here was a little antique shop, there was a pizza place. These places have been there for a long time,” Mr. Stewart said.

“Climate change is probably affecting everything. I’m sure it’s contributed to this. The world is in a terrible situation and we need to do more,” shop owner Debbie Collins told AFP .

California authorities have not commented on the estimates. According to the California Fire Department, five major wildfires are currently burning in the Pacific Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia and Sunset counties.

The largest fire, the Pacific Palisades, has burned more than 28 square miles, destroyed more than 300 homes, and is threatening another 13,300. The second largest, the Eaton Fire, has burned nearly 11,000 acres, destroyed many homes, and killed at least five people.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency. Local officials expect winds to gradually decrease, but maintain a red alert for high wildfire risk through the evening of January 10.