In a matter of hours, entire blocks of the Los Angeles area were destroyed, gutting thriving communities and leaving thousands with only the items they carried as they ran from their homes to escape fast-moving fires. More than 10,000 structures have burned across some 35,000 acres in the region.

Economic losses and damage are an estimated $135 billion and $150 billion, the costliest fire event in US history. Hurricane Helene in six states last fall caused up to $250 billion in damage.