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LOS ANGELES - Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot shared a personal connection to the devastation caused by recent wildfires in Los Angeles, revealing that her family has been directly affected.
In a post on X, Lightfoot said her aunt and uncle, who have lived in Altadena for more than 60 years, lost everything in the fires.
"Their story is the story of thousands," she wrote, highlighting the widespread impact of the disaster.
The wildfires have forced countless residents to flee with little more than the clothes on their backs, leaving behind homes and belongings.
Lightfoot urged people to show support during this crisis, calling for generosity in both prayers and donations to relief efforts.
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What fires are burning in the LA area?
Here is where the current larger fires burning in and around Los Angeles stand, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
- Palisades Fire: At least 17,234 acres burned and 0% contained.
- Eaton Fire: At least 10,600 acres and 0% contained.
- Hurst Fire: At least 855 acres and 10% contained.
- Lidia Fire: At least 348 acres and 40% contained.
- Sunset Fire: At least 42.8 acres and 0% contained.
How did the LA fires start?
While Southern California fire officials have said the cause remains under investigation, the region has dealt with high winds and low humidity.
Many of the towering fires that began on Tuesday were fueled by the powerful Santa Ana winds, which gusted to more than 70 mph in some spots, blowing embers through the air and igniting block after block in the Pacific Palisades and elsewhere.
The winds persisted on Wednesday, and for a while, made it too dangerous for aircraft to attack the fires from the sky – further hampering their efforts.
The winds lessened some on Thursday but were expected to return on Friday, forecasters said.
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The Source: The information in this article was obtained from a post on X by Lori Lightfoot and background information on the fire was provided by FOX 11 LA.