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January 15, 2025 | 08:58 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Los Angeles wildfire; Los Angeles is one of the largest cities in the United States, and is now currently facing the worst disaster in its history.
The wildfire, which has been raging since January 7, 2025, has claimed lives, destroyed thousands of homes, and forced more than 100,000 people to evacuate. This tragedy is a major blow not only to Californians, but also to the United States, which has had to deal with enormous economic and social impacts.
Casualties and Material Losses
As of Sunday, January 12, 2025, the death toll from this fire has increased to 24 people, according to a report from the Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiners. Another 12 people were reported missing, increasing the likelihood that the death toll will continue to rise. Among them, eight victims died from the Palisades Fire on the west side of the city, while 16 others were found in the Eaton Fire in the foothills east of Los Angeles.
In addition to the loss of life, this fire also caused massive damage to infrastructure and property. More than 12,000 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, while economic losses are estimated at $135 billion to $150 billion (around Rp2,200 trillion–Rp2,447 trillion). According to Moody's Ratings, this fire could be one of the most costly fires in U.S. history.
Firefighting and Evacuation Efforts
Firefighters continue to work hard to extinguish the fires in several critical areas. However, strong Santa Ana winds gusting up to 112 kilometers per hour have complicated their efforts. So far, the Palisades Fire is only 11 percent contained, while the Eaton Fire is 27 percent contained. Several other fires in the Los Angeles area have reportedly been fully contained.
Local authorities have also ordered the evacuation of more than 100,000 Los Angeles County residents. Areas such as Pasadena, Altadena, and Sylmar have become major evacuation sites, with thousands now living in temporary evacuation centers.
Amid this chaos, the Indonesian community in Los Angeles has also been affected. Based on the report of the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there were 97 Indonesian citizens affected, including four people who received direct assistance from the Indonesian Consulate General in Los Angeles.
In addition, several Indonesian diaspora were reported to have lost their homes due to the fire. The Indonesian Consulate General in Los Angeles continues to monitor the situation and provide assistance to the victims.
United States Government Response
President Joe Biden has designated the fire as a major disaster, allowing the federal government to provide direct assistance to victims.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has mobilized resources to assist victims, including funds for home repairs, replacement of lost food, and medicine. "We will continue to support this response and recovery," said Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also issued an executive order to speed up the process of rebuilding destroyed homes and businesses by temporarily suspending several environmental regulations.
Newsom called the Los Angeles wildfire one of the worst natural disasters in US history, highlighting the enormous economic and social impacts.
Sita Planasari and Ananda Ridho Sulistya contributed to the writing of this article.
Editor's Choice: Dangerous Santa Ana Winds Threaten to Worsen Los Angeles Wildfires
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