In Los Angeles, about 34,646 homes and businesses are currently without electricity, with 18,400 Southern California Edison customers affected. The fires in the area have also left about 20 people injured and 16 people dead. The fires, including the Palisades fire, have destroyed at least 12,000 structures. The devastation has led to looting, with at least 20 arrests made. Price gouging has also been reported, with some residents struggling to find new places to live due to excessive rent prices.
US president-elect Donald Trump has criticized California governor Gavin Newsom’s handling of the wildfires. Trump has also promised to drill for more oil and cut back on renewable energy upon his return to the White House later this month. Despite the devastation, California attorney general Rob Bonta has warned against price gouging, looting, or scamming in response to the fires, stating that it is illegal and punishable by law. The estimated economic losses of the fires are between $135bn and $150bn. Authorities continue to battle the fires, with new evacuation orders issued and additional resources deployed to aid in firefighting efforts.
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