Latest Update: ‘Hell’ in Los Angeles, USA - 24 Dead and Rampant Looting

Kisah Berita 1001 - The city of Los Angeles, located in California, USA, is currently facing a devastating crisis due to a massive wildfire that began in early January 2025 and continues to ravage the area. The fire started on January 7 and has since intensified.

The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for extreme fire conditions through Wednesday, with winds of 50 mph (80 kph) sustained, and gusts in the mountains reaching up to 70 mph (113 kph).

In response to the spreading flames, the Los Angeles Fire Department has deployed an additional 70 water trucks to assist firefighters in battling the rapidly growing fire.

Casualties and Missing Persons

As of Sunday, authorities confirmed that the death toll from the wildfires in Los Angeles had risen to 24. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office released a list of fatalities without revealing specific identities.

Eight of the deceased were found in the Palisades fire zone, while 16 others were located in the Eaton fire zone. Additionally, 16 people are reported missing, and authorities anticipate this number could increase.

Approximately 150,000 residents in Los Angeles County are still under evacuation orders, with more than 700 people currently sheltered in nine evacuation centers.

Looting

Looting has been a growing concern in the city amidst the devastation. Authorities have reported several arrests as the situation worsens. Michael Lorenz, a captain with the Los Angeles Police Department, revealed that seven individuals had been arrested in just the past two days.

“We even arrested two people who were posing as firefighters, entering homes and stealing,” said Lorenz.

While he could not provide an exact number of looters apprehended, he noted that around 10 individuals are being detained daily. On Friday, California National Guard troops arrived to assist in securing properties.

Estimated Economic Losses

Early estimates suggest that this wildfire could become the costliest in U.S. history. According to AccuWeather, the economic damages could range between $135 billion and $150 billion (approximately IDR 2.2 trillion to IDR 2.45 trillion).

In an interview on NBC Sunday, Governor Gavin Newsom described the fires as potentially the worst natural disaster in the nation's history. "I think this will be the case in terms of its financial impact, scale, and scope," Newsom stated.

Inmate Firefighting Efforts

Hundreds of inmates from California's prison system are reported to be helping with firefighting efforts. Nearly 950 incarcerated firefighters have been sent to cut fire lines and remove fuel to slow the spread of the fire, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

While the state has relied on prison labor for wildfire suppression for years, the practice has sparked controversy, as inmates are paid minimal wages for dangerous and grueling work. They earn up to $10.24 per day (about IDR 167,000), with additional compensation for 24-hour shifts.

Criticism of Local Government

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing criticism for her leadership during the city's worst wildfire in decades, particularly regarding the failure of a local reservoir.

Governor Gavin Newsom ordered state officials on Friday to investigate why the 117-million-gallon (440 million liters) reservoir was not functioning, and why several fire hydrants were dry.

Meanwhile, LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley expressed dissatisfaction with the city’s leadership, accusing the department of failing to allocate sufficient funds for firefighting resources, in addition to criticizing the lack of water availability.

"When a firefighter approaches a hydrant, we expect there to be water," said Crowley.

The following is the location of the fire that occurred in Los Angles, California, United States :