Outrage has ensued after looters took advantage of the wildfires to steal from residents, while “influencers” took selfies with flames.
Two people have been arrested for looting during mandatory wildfire evacuations in Southern California, as multiple fires continue to ravage Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced the arrests during a Wednesday press conference, expressing his dismay at having to address such criminal behaviour during the emergency.
“If you are thinking about coming into any of these areas to steal from our residents, I’m going to tell you something: You’re going to be caught, you’re going to be arrested and you’re going to be prosecuted,” Luna warned.
Four major wildfires are currently burning across Los Angeles County
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The identities of the suspects and details of their alleged crimes have not yet been released.
Meanwhile, fame-seekers have ignored orders, going to evacuation areas to vlog and take selfies near the fires.
Four major wildfires are currently burning across Los Angeles County, with none yet completely contained.
The Palisades Fire has consumed nearly 3,000 acres of land, the Eaton Fire has burned through more than 2,000 acres, while the Hurst Fire has spread across approximately 500 acres.
The smallest of the four, the Woodley Fire, has affected 75 acres.
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In neighbouring Riverside County, firefighters have made progress with the Tyler Fire, which is now 50 percent contained, officials reported on Wednesday.
All four Los Angeles County fires remain at zero percent containment as fire crews continue their efforts to bring the blazes under control.
The scale of the emergency has forced more than 80,000 Southern California residents to evacuate their homes under mandatory orders as of Wednesday morning.
The fires have already destroyed over 1,000 structures across the affected areas.
Fame-seekers have ignored orders, going to evacuation areas to vlog and take selfies near the fires
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The fires have already destroyed over 1,000 structures across the affected areas.
An additional 10,300 homes remain under threat from the advancing blazes, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
The Pacific Palisades, one of the affected areas, is home to numerous celebrities including Steve Spielberg, Bradley Cooper, and Adam Sandler.
One resident described the dramatic change in conditions: “It just seemed like another nice winter morning… It looks like Mars, it looks bright red.”
Two civilians have lost their lives in the Eaton Fire, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone announced during Wednesday’s press conference.
Chief Marrone also reported “a number of significant injuries” resulting from the fires, though specific details were not provided.
Emergency officials emphasised the critical nature of following evacuation orders during the crisis.
“When you are told to evacuate, evacuate. This is not a drill,” authorities stressed to residents in affected areas.
Fire crews continue their efforts to contain the four major blazes threatening Los Angeles County communities.