Latest news Fires in the USA: brief respite, danger remains high
In the fight against the devastating forest fires in the greater Los Angeles area, there has been a short-term easing of the situation due to a drop in winds.
10.01.2025, 23:23
SDA
But the situation remains extremely critical. "There has been progress," said US President Joe Biden on Friday afternoon (local time) regarding the firefighting efforts. California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed the hope that the emergency services would achieve further success during the course of the day.
At the same time, the head of the US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Deanne Criswell, warned that the danger was by no means over: "The situation is still very dangerous." Although the wind is currently weaker, stronger gusts are expected in the coming days. She called on the population to be vigilant. It is important to follow the instructions of the local authorities - also to protect themselves from the dangers of smoke. Criswell also responded to criticism of the coordination of relief measures and explained that the simultaneous outbreaks of numerous fires had put a heavy strain on the system.
Several fires are still burning, including the "Palisades Fire" and the "Eaton Fire", which have barely been contained so far. Tens of thousands of people are still evacuated and cannot return to their homes - if they are still standing at all. According to initial estimates, at least 10,000 buildings have been destroyed or damaged.
US soldiers on standby
Thousands of emergency personnel are battling the flames. According to the Department of Defense, 500 soldiers stationed in California are also ready for deployment. At the request of the Californian authorities, they could help with search and rescue missions or clearing roads, among other things, a Pentagon spokeswoman explained. In addition, ten helicopters and four special fire-fighting systems are available, which can be installed in military aircraft and are to be deployed at the weekend.
Investigations into causes continue
The causes of the individual fires are still unclear. A man was arrested on Thursday in connection with the "Kenneth Fire", but the police later stated that there was insufficient evidence of arson. Instead, the man was kept in custody for a probation violation. The investigation is continuing.
"If any of the fires are found to have been deliberately set, those responsible will be arrested, prosecuted and punished to the full extent of the law," promised Dominic Choi from the relevant police authority. In addition to arson, defective power lines are also being investigated as a possible cause.
Insurance problems exacerbate the situation
In addition to the acute catastrophe, the role of insurers has also come into focus: according to analysts, the fires could become the costliest conflagration in US history.
California's insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara called for insurance benefits to be paid out quickly to those affected. According to reports, some major providers had already restricted or completely withdrawn insurance cover in particularly high-risk areas in the spring, which could leave many homeowners unprotected.
Although the US federal government has promised financial aid, the central question remains unresolved: Who will bear the cost of increasing damage from extreme weather events in the future: the private sector, the government or ultimately those affected themselves? Lara emphasized the urgent need to modernize the insurance system and improve disaster prevention.
An important factor here is also the construction of many houses in the USA: they are often made of wood, which makes it easier for fires to spread. At the same time, the consequences of the climate crisis are making the work of insurers more difficult. Due to increasing risks from floods, storms and fires, it is becoming increasingly difficult to offer viable policies
