A man has been arrested in connection with the Kenneth Fire in LA’s West Hills, as authorities investigate arson claims.
As reported by BBC News, at least 10 people have now lost their lives to the devastating fires and 10,000 structures have been destroyed.
There are currently five fires still burning in the Los Angeles area, and here is the status of each at the time of writing:
Palisades: This is the largest and first to break out on Tuesday. It’s burning through nearly 20,000 acres in the Pacific Palisades, destroying more than 5,300 structures. It’s now 6% contained.
Eaton: Spanning nearly 14,000 acres in Altadena and Pasadena, it’s the only fire that is yet to be contained at all.
Kenneth: This is the most recent fire, impacting about 960 acres in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. It’s now 35% contained.
Hurst: Fire officials are tackling the blaze, with 37% of the fire, which spans nearly 800 acres, now contained.
Lidia: Nearly 400 acres are affected in the town of Acton. Fire officials have contained 75% of the fire.
As authorities investigate the origins of the disasters, one man has been detained in connection to the Kenneth fire.
The fire ignited shortly after 2:30 p.m. and has scorched more than 800 acres, continuing to spread into Ventura County.
“About 20 minutes, 30 minutes later a suspect was detained over in the Woodland Hills area by citizens,” LAPD Senior Lead Officer Sean Dinse told NewsNation.
While the circumstances surrounding the fire remain unclear, Officer Dinse confirmed, “The blaze is being investigated as a crime.”
The suspect, identified as a homeless man in his 30s, was detained, according to Fox LA’s Elex Michaelson.
Michaelson also reported that firefighters “appear to have gained the upper hand” on the Kenneth Fire.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley announced that mandatory evacuation orders for Hidden Hills had been downgraded to warnings as the situation evolved.
However, the LAPD has not yet confirmed the arrest or its connection to the Kenneth Fire.
The Kenneth Fire is part of a larger wildfire crisis gripping Southern California. At least 20 people have been arrested for looting homes damaged or destroyed by the wildfires, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported.
According to estimates from Poweroutages.us – around 100,000 people in LA currently remain without power.
According to the BBC, AccuWeather’s chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter has described the disaster as “one of the costliest wildfire disasters in modern US history”.
AccuWeather’s latest projection says losses could amount to as much as $150bn.
