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The latest news, analysis and opinion on Natural disasters. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
A fire tornado near Wrightwood, California in 2016. File photo: AFP
United States

Los Angeles wildfires could spawn fire tornadoes, experts warn

Combination of high winds and dry conditions could create a perfect storm for dangerous phenomena.

United States

Los Angeles firefighters hold the line in extreme conditions

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Indonesia

Indonesian politician’s daughter slammed for LA fire aid, ignoring Gaza victims

United States

Devastating Los Angeles wildfires prompt 2028 Olympics debate

The Los Angeles disaster has underscored the challenges of staging the world’s largest sporting event in a region under threat of wildfires.

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Buildings in downtown Los Angeles shrouded by smoke from multiple wildfires on Friday. Photo: EPA-EFE
Academy Awards

Oscar nominations postponed for second time because of LA fires

The names of Oscars finalists, initially planned for Friday, will be announced on January 23.

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Japan

Japan hit by 6.6 magnitude quake, tsunami threat declared over

Public broadcaster NHK TV said a tsunami, estimated to be as high as 1 metre, reached land within 30 minutes of the quake.

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United States

Netflix star says Los Angeles landlords price gouging amid devastating fires

Selling Sunset star Jason Oppenheim says landlords are illegally raising rents and exploiting displaced residents, while violating California’s price gouging laws.

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A firefighter extinguishes the fire as the Palisades Fire, one of several simultaneous blazes that have ripped across Los Angeles County. Photo: Reuters
United States

Los Angeles braces for new week of wildfires as Santa Ana winds return

Fierce Santa Ana winds have been largely blamed for turning wildfires last week into infernos that levelled entire neighbourhoods.

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United States

Numerous historic landmarks lost in Los Angeles wildfires

Wildfires have destroyed more than 30 landmarks in Los Angeles – and the tally could grow.

TV shows and streaming video

Meghan Markle’s Netflix show delayed as LA fires wreak havoc

With Love, Meghan has been pushed back until March. As wildfires halt TV productions, one actress urges Hollywood to scrap its awards season.

Markle in a still from With Love, Meghan. The release of the Netflix lifestyle show has been postponed as the Los Angeles wildfires rage on. Photo: Netflix
TV shows and streaming video

US$83m house from Succession series among those destroyed in LA wildfires

The house, with six bedrooms and 18 bathrooms, was bought for US$83 million in 2021, and appeared in the season four premiere of Succession.

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Succession star Sarah Snook at the San Onofre estate in an episode that aired in 2023. Photo: HBO
Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s children suffer amid climate change-fuelled floods and disease

Turbocharged monsoon floods are intensifying the spread of waterborne diseases in the Indian Ocean island nation.

Extreme weather

At least 10 dead in Brazil landslides caused by torrential rain

At least 80mm of rain fell in the space of one hour in the city of Ipatinga, where nine died.

United States

Wildfire death toll rises as Los Angeles set for more strong winds

Firefighters raced to contain the frontiers of two Los Angeles wildfires that burned for the sixth straight day on Sunday.

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A car drives past homes and vehicles destroyed by the Palisades Fire. Photo: AP
United States

16 dead in LA wildfires, according to county medical examiner’s office

Five of the deaths were attributed to the fires in the Palisades area, while the other fatalities were from the Eaton Fire.

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A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon. Photo: AP
United States

Firefighters race to contain Los Angeles fires before menacing winds return

New sites under threat include the world famous J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles.

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United States

Furious Los Angeles residents slam firefighters ‘busy’ saving homes of rich

‘We didn’t see a single firefighter while we were throwing buckets of water to defend our house against the flames,’ a resident says.

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United States

Winds fuelling Los Angeles fires calm down as blame game, crime fears grow

Officials trade blame over responsibility for the disaster that has killed at least 11 people and razed thousands of homes.

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A helicopter drops water on smoke and flames from the Palisades fire burning in Los Angeles. Photo: AFP
Joe Biden

Los Angeles like ‘war scene’ after wildfires, Biden says amid looting reports

Authorities have imposed a nighttime curfew, and the US president says the military and National Guard will provide security.

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United States

What ignited deadly LA fires? Investigators consider array of possibilities

Investigators rule out lightning, but explore various ignition sources, including utility lines and arson.

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Climate change

Scientists say 2024 was first year above 1.5 degrees of global warming

Earth records hottest year ever in 2024 and the jump was so big it breached a key threshold.

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A boy cools off in a mister before a baseball game in Kansas City, Missouri in 2024. File photo: AP
United States

Los Angeles wildfires kill at least 10, burn at least 10,000 structures

The National Guard has been called in, as the city reels from the worst fires in its history.

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Homes smoulder near the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood of Los Angeles. Photo: AFP
Donald Trump

As Los Angeles burns, Trump offers blame rather than sympathy

While thousands lose their homes, the US president is spewing falsehoods and claiming he could do a better job of managing the crisis.

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Fire Rescue

Why LA is now prone to winter wildfires

Experts say increasingly hot and dry winter weather has made devastating California wildfires a year-round threat

United States

Celebrities among those who lost homes in devastating LA fires

Celebrities flee Los Angeles fires, lose houses as Hollywood events are scrapped.

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Flames from the Palisades Fire burn a building on Sunset Boulevard. Photo: AFP
United States

Los Angeles wildfires spread to Hollywood as mayor declares inferno ‘the big one’

Los Angeles hit from both sides as upscale Pacific Palisades, hills above Pasadena on fire and a new blaze breaks out in Hollywood Hills.

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Firefighters protect a structure as the Eaton Fire advances in Altadena, California, on Wednesday. Photo: AP
United States

Raging LA wildfire engulfs upscale Pacific Palisades, triggers evacuations

Evacuations cause traffic jams, residents flee on foot as wildfire rages in Los Angeles enclave known for its celebrity allure.

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Tibet

China’s Tibet rocked by magnitude 6.8 earthquake

President Xi Jinping orders search and rescue efforts as villages report several people trapped under rubble and extensive damage 

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