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Pink fire retardant has stained houses and buildings in Los Angeles as authorities continue to try and slow down the blazes that have killed at least 16 people.
The spray, known as Phos-Chek, has been dropped from nine large planes and 20 water-dropping helicopters across the city to fight the fires that have been burning since Tuesday.
It is made using a mix of chemicals that are used to extinguish or slow down the spread of the blaze, including ammonium polyphosphate – which does not evaporate easily and stays set on materials for longer than water.
The retardant is usually sprayed ahead of the fire in a bid to coat vegetation and prevent oxygen from allowing it to burn. The bright pink colour is usually added to Phos Chek to ensure that firefighters can see it against the landscape and it is currently covering all the plants, buildings and houses in the areas that have been affected by the flames.
Thousands have been displaced because of the infernos, which have already destroyed more than 12,000 structures while burning through an area larger than the city of San Francisco.
Sewer, water and power infrastructure across the region has been significantly damaged, officials said.
While a cause for the fires has yet to be determined, early estimates indicate they could be the nation’s costliest ever, as experts at AccuWeather put the damage and economic losses at between $135 billion and $150 billion.
Cal Fire reported the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires had consumed about 62 square miles (160 square kilometers).
Five deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire along the coast and 11 deaths resulted from the Eaton Fire further inland, the LA County medical examiner’s office said.
At least 16 people were missing, and authorities said that number was expected to rise.
The flames have threatened and burned through several highly populated neighborhoods over the past week, including Pacific Palisades, Altadena and others.
About 150,000 people were under evacuation orders with more than 700 taking refuge in nine shelters, officials said.
Cal Fire reported containment of the Palisades Fire at 11 per cent and the Eaton Fire at 27 per cent on Sunday.
The Kenneth Fire, which broke out near West Hills in the San Fernando Valley, was 100 per cent contained as of Sunday morning, while the Hurst Fire was 89 per cent contained.
The retardant is usually sprayed ahead of the fire in a bid to coat vegetation and prevent oxygen from allowing it to burn.
It is made using a mix of chemicals that are used to extinguish or slow down the spread of the blaze, including ammonium polyphosphate – which does not evaporate easily and stays set on materials for longer than water.
A helicopter drops water on the Palisades fire in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday.
Los Angeles County firefighters try unsuccessfully to get water from a hydrant as they battle the Eaton Fire.
Firefighters fight a blaze as a building burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, California.
An aerial view of incinerated homes on Pacific Coast Highway on Thursday.
All images are courtesy of Daily Mail.
Conclusion:
The devastating wildfires in Los Angeles have left a trail of destruction and death, with at least 16 people killed and thousands displaced. The fires have burned through over 12,000 structures, causing widespread destruction and chaos.
FAQs:
- How many people have been killed in the wildfires?
At least 16 people have been killed in the wildfires. - How many structures have been destroyed?
Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed. - How many people are under evacuation orders?
About 150,000 people are under evacuation orders. - What is the cause of the fires?
The cause of the fires is still unknown, but strong Santa Ana winds have been blamed for turning the wildfires into infernos. - What is being done to fight the fires?
Nine large planes and 20 water-dropping helicopters are being used to fight the fires, and firefighters are working to contain the blazes.