Thousands of structures destroyed by Los Angeles wildfires as authorities confirm 10 deaths

Wildfires ravage Los Angeles, destroying thousands of homes and claiming 10 lives as crews battle uncontained blazes. Damages soar to $50 billion, with arson suspected in one major fire.

Nearly a half-dozen wildfires have devastated Los Angeles communities, destroying thousands of homes and claiming 10 lives as of Thursday evening.

Authorities discovered the remains of two victims of the Palisades Fire, with more casualties anticipated as search teams and cadaver dogs examine vast debris sites across the city. Identification and next-of-kin notifications are pending, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner.

The Kenneth Fire, reported Thursday afternoon near the Los Angeles-Ventura County border, has rapidly expanded to 960 acres, making it the third-largest blaze. The Palisades Fire, the first to ignite on Tuesday, remains the largest, scorching nearly 20,000 acres, while the Eaton Fire, which started later, has ravaged 13,690 acres in Altadena and surrounding areas.

Containment efforts have seen mixed results. The Palisades Fire is now 6% contained, while the Kenneth and Eaton fires remain uncontained. Firefighters have made progress on smaller blazes, bringing the Hurst Fire to 10% containment and the Lidia Fire to 60%.

Combined, the Palisades and Eaton fires have destroyed or damaged approximately 9,000 structures, including homes, businesses, and mobile units, according to the Los Angeles Times. These fires are now the most expensive in California's history, with JP Morgan estimating economic losses nearing $50 billion, including insured losses exceeding $20 billion.

An arson investigation has been launched into the Kenneth Fire, which began in Woodland Hills and has spread over 800 acres. A suspect was detained shortly after the blaze started, but the motive and cause remain unclear. Police are treating the Victory Trailhead, where the fire ignited, as a crime scene.

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