1-minute News | Can money make wildfires 'detour'? Outrage grows over firefighting efforts in Los Angeles

At least 25 people have died in the devastating Los Angeles County wildfires, with over 12,000 structures destroyed and more than 155.4 square kilometers of land burned, according to reports by CCTV News. However, the disparity in firefighting efforts has stirred public outrage.

A stark contrast was observed in the disaster zone: on one side of the street, luxury shops were protected by private water trucks, each carrying around 12 tons of water to extinguish flames on demand. On the opposite side, charred ruins stretched as far as the eye could see.

In the US, hiring private firefighting services typically involves coordination through fire departments or insurance companies, with fees reaching up to US$2,000 per hour. Many residents who lost their homes expressed anger and frustration, questioning the fairness of a system where "money can make wildfires detour."

Further concerns have surfaced. Firefighters reported that 20% of the fire hydrants lacked water or had insufficient pressure during rescue efforts. This has raised questions about whether private firefighting operations were diverting water resources. Additionally, there are also concerns that private fire trucks may have obstructed evacuation routes and delayed official firefighting teams.

These issues are likely to become critical points of investigation for California's government in the coming weeks.

Related News:

At least 25 deaths from California wildfires, police have arrested 14 people

California wildfire spreads rapidly in Ventura, burns over 2 hectares in just one hour