For nearly two weeks, infernos have torched large parts of South California’s Los Angeles area. The crisis has been described as one of the most destructive wildfire emergencies in U.S. history.

Since January 7, hundreds of fires have burned through approximately 41,000 acres of land, destroying more than 12,000 homes and buildings, and killing at least 27 people.

Firefighters are making progress, thanks to extreme conditions easing over recent days. While news from the fire zone has taken a more positive turn, authorities are warning the danger is not over.

Today we’re cutting through the headlines that have dominated the global news cycle this month to answer your biggest questions about the LA Fires.

Emergency crews are currently working to bring two major fires under control — the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fires. On Friday, more than 150,000 people remained under evacuation orders.

The Pacific Palisades is an affluent neighbourhood on the west side of LA, home to some of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities. Wildfires have burnt over 23,000 acres (more than 9,300 hectares). About 31% of the blaze has been contained, as it continues to threaten parts of the community.

Further north, the Eaton fire has burnt through more than 14,000 acres (around 5,600 hectares). Thanks to winds easing in the latter part of this week, 55% of the fire is now contained.

The smaller Hurst fire, north of San Fernando, is now nearly completely contained. A fourth wildfire that broke out in the coastal city of Ventura on 13 January is also nearing 100% containment.

The death toll from the fires has risen to 27, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. While the Pacific Palisades is the largest of the recent wildfires, the nearby Eaton fire is considered the most deadly. At least 17 lives have been lost in the Eaton blaze, with at least 10 deaths caused by the Palisades fire.

At least 31 people remain missing from these fire zones. Officials have warned the death toll could increase as search and recovery efforts continue.

The ongoing emergency in LA is a stark reminder of how devastating natural disasters can be, and how quickly fire can spread after a period of drought.

With minimal rainfall over recent months, nearly two-thirds of California is in drought, including the entire LA county area. LA Mayor Karen Bass said these “extremely dry” conditions are only fuelling the fires.

Authorities have also blamed the Santa Ana winds for bringing “hurricane-force” gusts of up to 112 km/h. The strong winds brought in from the state’s deserts are known to blow through LA during the city’s cooler months.

While some experts have linked the fires to natural causes, others have pointed to human activity. Local and federal investigations are underway, but early theories suggest the Palisades fire could be linked to a blaze started by New Year’s Eve fireworks. Some residents have speculated whether a fire at a local electric tower ignited the Eaton blaze.

Teams have been conducting on-scene analysis of damage, debris and burn patterns. Investigators are gathering information including CCTV footage, 3D mapping, and eyewitness statements, to determine the source of these wildfires.

With flames still burning and the full scale of the damage yet to be determined, a clearer story will undoubtedly emerge from the ashes.

More than 16,000 firefighters and 2,500 federal military personnel have been deployed across Southern California since the wildfires broke out. Around 1,500 fire engines and 80 planes are patrolling conditions from the ground and air, as hundreds of bulldozers sift through debris.

More than 1,100 prisoners have volunteered to assist with the firefighting efforts, under a program led by the California Department of Corrections (CDCR).

These fire crew members are paid up to $AU48 a day during emergencies, and can also reduce their sentences. The CDCR said most participants “receive two additional days off their sentence for every one day they serve on a fire crew.” It also said many of these crew members go on to work with the California fire department after their release from prison.

Amid the devastation and chaos of a densely populated city attempting mass evacuation, local police are cracking down on opportunistic crime. Dozens of people have been arrested and charged over offences related to looting and arson.

Concerns over public safety and the security of evacuated properties also prompted the introduction of an overnight curfew in several fire zones. This 6pm to 6am curfew remains in place in all evacuation zones

LA District Attorney Nathan Hochman has warned that those attempting to “exploit this tragedy to prey on victims” will face punishment to the “fullest extent of the law.”

Recovery efforts are underway to support the thousands of residents still under evacuation orders. It will be a nervous wait for many evacuees, who face returning to homes that are no longer standing.

Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, described the state’s wildfire response as, “historic”. Newsom assured Californians that his government “has [their] back,” proposing $US2.5 billion to fund ongoing emergency response efforts.

Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden has announced 180 days of federal funding to fully cover the cost of recovery efforts. The funding will go towards removing debris, temporary shelters, paying first responders and what Biden called “all necessary measures to protect life and property”.

The National Weather Service is “expecting a much-needed break from the fire weather” over the next few days. However, high temperatures and strong winds are expected to return next week. No rain is forecast.

Governments around the world have offered their condolences and support to the community of Southern California.

Canada has sent wildfire crews, including 40 firefighters, stating that “good neighbours are always there for each other in times of need.”

Nearby Mexico has also joined the fight, deploying more than 70 firefighters.

Ukraine, in communication with President Biden, has expressed condolences over the “tragic loss of lives.” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that 150 Ukrainian firefighters remain on standby.

Here at home, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has expressed his condolences to those impacted by the fires, and said Australia remains “willing to provide whatever support we can.”

It was this time five years ago that about 50 U.S. crews were deployed to support communities here in Australia. The Black Summer bushfire crisis claimed 33 lives, including three American firefighters.

The Climate Council of Australia is among several advocacy groups that have blamed the fires on the effects of climate change.

“Fires like those hitting LA right now, and our own Black Summer fires, are anything but typical,” Climate Councillor and former Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins said.

Mullins said weather systems have been “supercharged” by climate change, “resulting in longer, hotter, drier fire seasons, and extreme winds,” like those in LA.

“From a scientific perspective, climate change is fuelling weather conditions that result in longer, more intense and devastating fires right around the world… and now, as LA burns in winter at a time when fires of this type and magnitude have never been experienced before,” Mullins added.

With rising global temperatures expected to bring more extreme weather conditions and an increase in natural disasters, world leaders are being forced to reconsider their emergency policies.

A money app you can bank on

Whether you consider yourself an avid saver, holiday craver, sale lover or finance brother 🤙 Up is here to help you on your financial journey, no matter where you're at.  

Up automates your saving, keeps spending on track, and turns financial freedom into a reality.

Get $20 instantly in your account when you sign up with code TDA20!

It's Saturday! Which means it's time for the good news podcast!

Here's a wrap-up of the good news from the week that you might have missed, from heartwarming moments in U.S. politics, to the power of music in children's television.

To get this good news weekly, you can sign up to our Good Newsletter here.