After nearly a month of intensive efforts, the costliest wildfires in United States history have been fully contained.
Beginning on Jan. 7 amid dry conditions and unusually high winds, the fires ravaged the Californian coast for weeks, requiring a response from an international coalition of 51,818 emergency personnel, according to Cal Fire. The flames burned 57,636 acres, destroyed 16,255 structures, and killed at least 29 people.
The Eaton and Palisades fires, the first to start and the two largest and most destructive, were the last to be contained. The Eaton fire was the deadliest, killing 17 people, destroying 9,418 structures, and scorching 14,021 acres — independently the second most destructive wildfire in California history. The Palisades fire was a close third, killing 12 people, destroying 6,837 structures, and burning 23,448 acres.
The Pacific Coast Highway had a limited reopening on Monday at 8 a.m., with one lane open each way, checkpoints, and a reduced speed limit. The checkpoints will pass from the control of the Los Angeles Police Department to the California Highway Patrol and National Guard.
“I am grateful to Governor Newsom for his continued partnership as we respond to this unprecedented disaster,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement. “We continue to adapt in real time to this dynamic situation. This plan secures the Palisades and eases the strain on LAPD, whose ability to respond across L.A. has been impacted for nearly one month. My priority continues to be rebuilding the Palisades as rapidly and safely as possible.”
“Essential traffic only is strongly encouraged,” Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said in a statement, adding, “This will not be the same PCH as before the fires.”
Though the fires are contained, experts warned residents not to return to their homes yet.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
“Residents should not, not, not, go home and sift through the debris,” Katie Arrington, a disaster recovery expert, told USA Today. “It is highly toxic debris. It’s the mixing all the materials together, along with it burning. It’s not just your house, but your neighbor’s houses, your car in the driveway.”
The fires were unique in that they ravaged wealthy suburban areas, resulting in unprecedented damage. A preliminary estimate from AccuWeather in mid-January found that the wildfires were the costliest in U.S. history, with the damage valued between $135 billion and $150 billion.