The apocalyptic scenes emanating from America’s second largest city are a humbling reminder of our helplessness when confronted with the terrifying destructive power of nature.
Two major wildfires continue to cause devastation to the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles, razing properties in their path and claiming at least 24 lives so far, a figure that is certain to rise.
The largest blaze, in the Palisades area, is 10 miles wide and covers more than 20,000 acres, having swept down from the hills to the Malibu coast and its once idyllic beachfront homes.
It now threatens the wealthy Brentwood neighbourhood, home to mansions of stars from the entertainment and sporting worlds as well as priceless works of art in the Getty Centre, now evacuated.
To the north of the city, the Eaton fire has also devastated working-class areas of Altadena. Almost 200,000 people are either under evacuation orders or warnings and more than 12,000 structures have been destroyed.
Air and water quality across the region are affected and curfews put in place to prevent looting.
In terms of financial loss alone – estimated at up to $150bn – the fires could represent the worst natural disaster in US history. Significant parts of the Californian city will have to rebuilt from the ground up.
There have already been questions about the city’s preparedness, with some fire crews' hoses reported to have run dry. Before the fires broke out, LA’s fire chief had warned that budget cuts were hampering its ability to respond to emergencies.
While the causes are still not known, a combination of drought conditions and high winds have provided the perfect conditions for the deadly blazes to spread.
Research is clear that climate change has increased the risk and severity of wildfires in the western United States, although expect the incoming White House administration to dismiss such evidence.
Donald Trump has been invited to visit the area and see first hand the scale of the destruction and the rescue attempts, but has so far not done so. The president-elect has instead played a predictably unhelpful role, criticising local efforts on social media.
The experience of firefighters and other emergency crews, working round the clock in appalling conditions, can scarcely be imagined and they deserve the full support of everyone as they continue their dangerous work.
There have already been many inspiring stories of communities rallying together, including a Dubliner who opened the doors of his restaurants and cafés at Venice Beach to evacuees.
What has been described as “critical fire weather conditions” are expected to continue until Wednesday. It can only be hoped that Mother Nature will then begin to aid rather than impede efforts to contain the devastation to lives and livelihoods.
