On Tuesday, Jan. 7, a series of wildfires broke out across Los Angeles, California. The biggest of the seven, the Palisades Fire, began burning in the Santa Monica Mountains of Los Angeles County. Since the breakout, at least 12 people have died from the Palisades, destroying thousands of homes across LA. During the worst of the fires, 180,000 people across all seven wildfires were under evacuation orders. To tend to the emergency, crews from California, nine other states and Mexico have been fighting the flames with 1,400 fire engines and 84 aircrafts.
For perspective on the damage that the wildfires caused in California, Free State Journalism designed a map with the acreage of damage spread by the Palisades Fire.
Then, we drew what the size of the Palisades would look like if they happened right here in Lawrence. The orange outlines the perimeter of the wildfire that would burn.
Not only did the catastrophe destroy homes, it also burned down businesses, shops and public places. AccuWeather estimated that the total damage plus broader economic losses would add up to somewhere between $250 billion and $275 billion from all six of the fires.
If the Palisades were to hit Lawrence, hundreds of businesses would be gone — with memories, infrastructure and community loss.
All information according to World Vision and Malibucity.org
To donate to Wildfire relief, click here.