Los Angeles County in California is currently engulfed in devastating wildfires. Significant damage has occurred over the past five days, and six wildfires are still active. One of the most severe wildfires changed direction on Saturday, prompting officials to order local residents to evacuate. Firefighters are also facing new challenges in controlling the flames.

The wildfire in Los Angeles started on Tuesday, and so far, 11 people have been reported dead. Approximately 10,000 homes and other buildings have been destroyed, with the damage expected to increase. Firefighters are conducting house-to-house searches, but the death toll could rise.

The primary cause behind the rapid spread of the fire in Los Angeles is the Santa Ana winds which have been fierce. However, the winds began to subside on Friday night. In the western part of the city the Palisades wildfire has shifted direction and is now advancing more rapidly. Local fire service official Eric Scott reported that the fire in the eastern part of Palisades has increased significantly now heading further northeast, becoming the biggest threat.

Although there has been some progress in controlling the flames, another fire near Pasadena, known as the Eaton fire, has been somewhat contained. According to local authorities by Friday night, 8% of the Palisades fire and 3% of the Eaton fire had been brought under control.

Together these two major fires have burned approximately 35,000 acres of land. Los Angeles County police officer Robert Luna stated that 153,000 people have been ordered to evacuate with an additional 166,800 people being warned. A curfew has also been imposed.

Seven neighboring states have sent help to fight the fires and Canada has also offered assistance. Firefighters are dropping water from helicopters and using chemicals to control the flames on the mountainsides.

The National Weather Service has indicated that the wildfire situation in Los Angeles may improve over the weekend as wind speeds are expected to drop to 32 kilometers per hour. This could assist firefighters in their efforts. However local authorities fear that the winds may pick up again by Tuesday.

On Friday many residents were seen returning to their burned homes in the Pacific Palisades area. Kelly Foster 44, was inspecting her destroyed house to see if anything remained intact. She expressed that the home was incredibly dear to them. Another resident Dennis Doss 63, said Now only the Lord can guide us.

The financial damage from the wildfires has been estimated at between 135 to 150 billion dollars. In addition to losing their homes millions of people are without power and the air is severely polluted with smoke posing health risks to the population.

In response local authorities have assured that Los Angeles will be rebuilt and U.S. President Joe Biden has announced that the federal government will fully fund the city’s rehabilitation and recovery efforts for the next six months.