L.A. officials admit firefighters were overwhelmed and outgunned by deadly firestorms
1 day, 15 hours ago

L.A. officials admit firefighters were overwhelmed and outgunned by deadly firestorms

LA Times  

Samuel Girma braves the heat of a burning house as he tries to prevent the fire’s spread. Local fire officials acknowledged Wednesday that they were overwhelmed by the power and size of the three major fires burning in Los Angeles County and that crews and resources were taxed to the extreme. Firefighters were heard on emergency radios requesting additional support and crews, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone acknowledged Wednesday, admitting there was simply not enough manpower for an emergency of this size. But no, we don’t have enough fire personnel in L.A. County between all the departments to handle this.” There are 9,000 firefighters in Los Angeles County between the county’s fire department and 29 other fire agencies, Marrone said, which is “not enough” to address all the fires that had started across the region during one of the strongest wind events in years. Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley agreed, adding: “Together, these fires are stretching the capacity of emergency services to their maximum limits.” On Wednesday, the roughly 1,500 firefighters assigned to the Eaton and Palisades fires were bracing for another challenging day of fire fueled by extreme winds.

History of this topic

Firefighters battle devastating Los Angeles wildfires as winds calm somewhat
51 minutes ago
In pictures | Los Angeles wildfires and harrowing escapes
7 hours, 10 minutes ago
Tens of thousands ordered to evacuate as fires tear through Los Angeles area
9 hours, 34 minutes ago
Out-of-control Los Angeles wildfires burn thousands of homes and other structures
9 hours, 50 minutes ago
Ravaged homes to slumped cars: Wildfires in Los Angeles kill 5, force thousands to flee
15 hours, 9 minutes ago
Los Angeles wildfire is so big that it's visible from space
15 hours, 9 minutes ago
Wet winters to wildfires: How nature turned Los Angeles into a tinderbox
15 hours, 9 minutes ago
California wildfires show we are not prepared for climate change
15 hours, 9 minutes ago
In satellite pics: Hollywood burns as US wildfire engulfs Los Angeles
15 hours, 9 minutes ago
Even after a two-day nightmare, L.A. girds for more days of fire weather
15 hours, 9 minutes ago
Anatomy of L.A. fire catastrophe: Embers that traveled for miles, ‘chaotic’ winds and terrible timing
15 hours, 9 minutes ago
L.A. County lacked resources to hold back destructive wildfires. Here’s the latest
15 hours, 9 minutes ago
It’s not really the right time for nasty California fires. What are the factors that changed that?
15 hours, 25 minutes ago
Wildfires burn out of control across Los Angeles area and kill 2 as thousands flee homes
17 hours, 51 minutes ago
Wildfires burn out of control across Los Angeles area and kill 5 as thousands flee homes
17 hours, 51 minutes ago
What to know about wildfires raining embers onto the Los Angeles area
1 day ago
‘Explosion on right, houses on fire on left’: How Los Angeles wildfires started; will it worsen overnight?
1 day, 3 hours ago
Palisades wildfire forces thousands to flee: In Pictures
1 day, 3 hours ago
Hollywood stars across Los Angeles react to fast-moving Pacific Palisades wildfire
1 day, 9 hours ago
Thousands Flee As Wildfires Burn Out Of Control In And Around Los Angeles
Top News
1 day, 9 hours ago
Thousands flee as wildfires burn out of control in and around Los Angeles and homes are destroyed
Trending News
1 day, 10 hours ago
Palisades Fire Burns Homes in Wealthy Los Angeles Neighborhood
1 day, 11 hours ago
Pacific Palisades fire map: Track where hellish Los Angeles blaze is heading next in California
Top News
1 day, 12 hours ago
Strong winds drive wildfires, evacuations across California’s Los Angeles
1 day, 15 hours ago
Thousands evacuate as winds drive wildfires into California’s Los Angeles
1 day, 15 hours ago
2 killed in Los Angeles wildfires; many buildings ruined, over 70,000 evacuated
1 day, 15 hours ago
Southern California wildfires by the numbers: Location, size, containment and more
1 day, 15 hours ago
L.A. firefighters are spread thin fighting four major fires, but help is on the way
1 day, 15 hours ago
Palisades Fire forces thousands to evacuate, threatens 13,000 structures in Los Angeles
1 day, 15 hours ago
Fires tear through Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena and Sylmar
1 day, 15 hours ago
Wildfire horror in Los Angeles: Thousands flee homes as fire burns out of control
1 day, 15 hours ago
Explained: How California's Santa Ana Winds are fuelling the Palisades Fire
1 day, 15 hours ago
Massive wildfire rages through Los Angeles hillside, forces 30,000 to evacuate
1 day, 15 hours ago
1,000 structures burned, 2 dead in one of the most destructive firestorms in L.A. County
1 day, 15 hours ago
Satellite images show how fires exploded across L.A. in just a few hours
1 day, 15 hours ago
Hazardous wildfire smoke is making L.A. air hard to breathe
1 day, 15 hours ago
With firefighters stretched thin, Altadena residents battle to save homes from flames
1 day, 15 hours ago
Sunset Boulevard in ruins: Fire’s massive scale comes into focus in Pacific Palisades
1 day, 15 hours ago
Raging wildfires force mass evacuations in Los Angeles | Horrific pictures
1 day, 15 hours ago
California fire: Wind-whipped wildfire turns scary in Los Angeles, people seen frantically fleeing
1 day, 15 hours ago
Los Angeles wildfire spirals out of control, 30,000 homes evacuated; residents say never seen this before
Top News
1 day, 15 hours ago
Pacific Palisades locals describe catastrophic fire as they escape with designer suitcases: 'Like a disaster movie'
1 day, 15 hours ago
See photos of fire, smoke and flight as wildfires race across Southern California
1 day, 15 hours ago
Live updates: Los Angeles wildfires race through Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon
55 years ago
30,000 Los Angeles Residents Under Evacuation As Wildfire Whips Through Hillsides
1 day, 17 hours ago
Los Angeles running out of water as Pacific Palisades wildfire forces 30,000 from Malibu to Calabasas to evacuate
Trending News
1 day, 18 hours ago
Los Angeles-Area Fires Erupt as Dangerous Wind Storm Begins
1 day, 18 hours ago
California governor says Pacific Palisades wildfire has destroyed many structures as winds kick up
Trending News
2 days, 8 hours ago
Photos: Southland battling multiple wildfires, fueled by fierce Santa Ana winds
2 days, 15 hours ago

Discover Related