Southern California burns
The week's news at a glance.
Los Angeles
Wildfires stoked by fierce desert winds ravaged Southern California this week, killing at least 16 people, destroying more than 1,500 homes, and threatening to rush into the city of Los Angeles. Walls of flames raced over hillsides parched by drought, and entire neighborhoods were reduced to ash. Many of the dead were trapped in their cars as they tried to flee. Tens of thousands of people, some with just minutes’ notice, snatched what belongings they could and evacuated. “I was grabbing wet towels,” said Lisza Pontes, 43, of San Diego County. “Fire was at our feet. It was blazing over our heads and burning everywhere.” Over the course of just two days, six major blazes consumed an area half the size of Rhode Island. “It’s humbling,” a firefighter said. “It goes wherever it wants to go, and consumes whatever it wants.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The struggles of Aston Martin
In the Spotlight The car manufacturer, famous for its association with the James Bond franchise, is ‘running out of road’
-
The end of ‘golden ticket’ asylum rights
The Explainer Refugees lose automatic right to bring family over and must ‘earn’ indefinite right to remain
-
Grecotel Luxme Dama Dama: Greek luxury with a breezy beach vibe
The Week Recommends Rhodes is reimagined in this refined and relaxed resort