California is reeling from the devastating wildfires that have swept through Los Angeles, claiming at least 11 lives and destroying thousands of homes. The disaster has been likened to a \"war scene\" by U.S. President Joe Biden, highlighting the severity of the situation.
As residents grapple with the heart-wrenching aftermath, anger has been directed toward officials for their preparedness and response. Issues such as false evacuation alarms and dry hydrants have exacerbated the crisis, leaving communities vulnerable as firefighters struggled to contain the initial blazes.
In response, Governor Gavin Newsom announced a \"full independent review\" of the city's utilities, calling the lack of water supplies during the early stages of the fires \"deeply troubling.\" City and county officials described the wildfires as a \"perfect storm,\" with powerful winds reaching 100 miles per hour hindering efforts to deliver water and fire retardant to affected neighborhoods.
Experts have stated that the devastating outcome was unavoidable due to a combination of extreme winds, unusually dry weather, and the rapid spread of multiple fires. Even if all hydrants had been operational, they would have been insufficient to combat the massive wildfires this week.
President-elect Donald Trump took to social media to blame Governor Newsom for the hydrant shortages, claiming that the governor refused to sign a nonexistent water restoration declaration that would have provided millions of gallons of water to extinguish the fires. Newsom's press office and various U.S. media outlets have clarified that there is no such declaration and that the governor has previously opposed efforts to redirect more water to southern California.
Despite ongoing drought conditions, data reveals that nearly all reservoirs in southern California are currently above their historical average for this time of year, contradicting claims of water shortages for firefighting.
Responding to Trump's criticism, Newsom invited him to visit Los Angeles and witness the devastation firsthand. \"In the spirit of this great country, we must not politicize human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines,\" Newsom stated.
Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the wildfires, though scientists agree that human-caused climate change is altering weather patterns and intensifying fire dynamics. Two wet years in southern California have given way to a very dry one, creating ample fuel on the ground primed to burn.
Emergency managers issued false evacuation alerts to millions of mobile phones, causing widespread panic. Kevin McGowan, director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, apologized for the error, saying, \"I can't express enough how sorry I am.\"
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley attributed the challenges in firefighting to recent funding cuts, stating that the department is chronically \"understaffed\" and \"under-resourced.\"
Reference(s):
Who's to blame? Californians seek answers amid Los Angeles wildfires
cgtn.com
