The skies over California have turned orange-red from thick smoke, as if the apocalypse has arrived. Since the outbreak on January 7th, this wildfire, described as "the worst in U.S. history," has been raging for more than a week, causing heavy casualties and significant property damage.
According to the latest statistics, the fire has claimed at least 24 lives, left 16 people missing, burned over 163 square kilometers, and destroyed more than 12,000 buildings. Private forecasting agency AccuWeather estimates the economic loss could range from 135billionto135billionto150 billion.
Celebrities' Mansions Reduced to Ashes, Hollywood Studios at Risk
The fire has ruthlessly consumed the mansions of many celebrities. Homes belonging to Hollywood stars like Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins have been reduced to ashes. More concerning is that the fire is spreading towards the San Fernando Valley, threatening iconic cultural landmarks such as Warner Bros. Studios and Universal Studios.
Kim Kardashian's mansion is located in one of the fire's core areas. Though she claims to have installed water-saving facilities, her previous violation, resulting in a fine for exceeding water usage by 230,000 gallons, sparked public outrage.
Firefighting Resources Strained, Firefighting Efforts Struggling
Faced with such a fierce blaze, California's firefighting resources have proven to be woefully inadequate. Los Angeles Fire Chief Christine Crowley revealed that, due to budget cuts, over 100 firefighting units are out of service, and some firefighters have been left idle at fire stations due to a lack of equipment.
Even more shocking is that many fire hydrants have no water! This issue highlights the long-standing problem of insufficient infrastructure investment in California. President Joe Biden acknowledged that, due to concerns about electrical failures exacerbating the fire, utility companies shut off power, preventing water pumps from operating.
Wealthy "Privileged Firefighting" Sparks Public Outrage
In the face of this disaster, the gap between the rich and poor has been starkly exposed. Some wealthy individuals have spared no expense hiring private firefighting teams, spending up to $2,000 per hour. This "buying safety" behavior has sparked outrage among the general public.
One woman, who was forced to evacuate, said tearfully, "Are ordinary people just supposed to watch their houses burn down, while the rich can buy safety with their money? This is so unfair!"
