• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Victims of the LA wildfires hit with another devastating blow

Home> News> US News

Published 11:24 12 Jan 2025 GMT

Victims of the LA wildfires hit with another devastating blow

At least 11 people have now died due to the various wildfires, while many homes have burned down

Lucy Devine

Lucy Devine

Five days on from the beginning of the Los Angeles wildfires and over 12,000 structures have been destroyed with more than 180,000 people evacuated.

The wildfires first emerged on Tuesday (7 January) in the Pacific Palisades area of the city.

As firefighters and responders worked tirelessly to contain the blaze, high speed winds, and dry conditions resulted in the 'perfect storm', allowing the fire to spread rapidly over the following days.

Advert

The Palisades fire remains the largest, having spread to more than 20,000 acres. Meanwhile, there are also four others - Eaton, Kenneth, Hurst, and Lidia - still burning.

At least 11 people have now died due to the various wildfires, while many homes have burned down.

Meanwhile, with the evacuation zone extended on Saturday (11 January) and high speed winds expected in the coming days, experts have warned it could be weeks before the fires are completely contained.

Advert

For the residents of LA - especially those who have lost their homes in the blaze - another devastating blow has emerged.

In recent years, a number of top insurers have refused to cover certain areas of LA, including those most at risk for wildfires and other natural disasters. This is a particular issue in the likes of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, which have been hit hard in the latest wildfires.

Just last month, a US Senate report on the insurance market warned: “Climate-related extreme weather events will become both more frequent and more violent, resulting in ever-scarcer insurance and ever-higher premiums. Climate change is no longer just an environmental problem. It is a looming economic threat.”

Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed (Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Advert

In 2024, one of the state's largest insurers, State Farm, said it would be dropping coverage for 30,000 home insurance policies.

According to Fox, State Farm cited inflation, regulatory costs and increasing risk of catastrophes as part of its decision.

In a statement on Thursday, the insurer said: "Our No. 1 priority right now is the safety of our customers, agents and employees impacted by the fires and assisting our customers in the midst of this tragedy."

But it's not just State Farm. According to the California Department of Insurance, seven out of 12 of the biggest insurers have slashed coverage in the state in the last three years.

Advert

Many people have lost their homes in the fires (DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Many people have lost their homes in the fires (DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)

Without adequate insurance, homeowners have a choice of having no coverage at all, or seeking help from the California FAIR Plan, which provides basic fire coverage for high-risk areas when insurance companies will not.

Around 1,400 homes were reliant on this, in Pacific Palisades, last year.

Those without home insurance could be faced with rebuild costs themselves, which for many residents, would be totally unaffordable.

Advert

You can support those affected by the fires by donating to the Red Cross online, by calling (800) 733-2767 or texting REDCROSS to 90999.

Featured Image Credit: David McNew/Getty Images/ZOE MEYERS/AFP via Getty Images

Topics: Los Angeles, Money, Wildfires, World News, Climate Change

Lucy Devine
Lucy Devine

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Influencer slammed after sharing ‘tone deaf’ comment about devastating LA wildfires
  • Grimes defends ex Elon Musk in lengthy tweet after he was called an 'evil climate denier' following LA wildfires
  • Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag reveal 'life-changing' amount of money they've made since house burned down in LA wildfires
  • Meteorologist who saved hundreds with early warning about LA wildfires reveals what he’s concerned about next

Choose your content:

15 mins ago
an hour ago
2 hours ago
  • 15 mins ago

    Arnold Schwarzenegger's rarely-seen son Joseph reveals what his superstar dad 'busts his balls' about

    Joseph Baena said his dad is his 'role model'

    Celebrity
  • an hour ago

    Death row inmate's last meal revealed as he gave chilling 3-minute statement before execution

    Stephen Stanko's last meal was out of the ordinary for a killer

    News
  • an hour ago

    Investigation may reveal why there are so many more UFO sightings in US compared to anywhere else

    A team of experts have been looking into UFO sightings dating back decades

    News
  • 2 hours ago

    Pope Leo addresses US for first time with bold message on same day Trump holds $45,000,000 parade

    The pope delivered his message to the White Sox stadium

    News