LA Wildfires Bring Devastation as Looters Exploit Evacuations

As devastating wildfires continue to sweep through Southern California, residents of Los Angeles are grappling with another threat: looters targeting homes in evacuated neighborhoods. Reports of groups on scooters breaking into properties have heightened fear and chaos, turning an already dire situation into a scene of lawlessness.

One resident, Allison Agsten, told KTLA that her neighbor witnessed a shocking incident in the Palisades neighborhood.

“We just started seeing all these cars pull up,” Agsten said. “Doors open, and groups of men are running up our street, going up to the doors of these houses. My next-door neighbor said, his quote, ‘there were like a hundred people that came up on scooters and were trying to get into any and all houses.’”

The Palisades neighborhood, one of the areas hit hardest by the wildfires, has become a target for opportunistic criminals taking advantage of residents’ absence.

Videos circulating on social media capture the mayhem, showing groups of looters arriving in cars, unloading scooters, and brazenly attempting to enter homes. Local news outlets have dubbed the streets of Los Angeles the “Wild West,” with chaos erupting in areas already devastated by the fires.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed that 20 individuals suspected of looting in evacuated zones had been arrested. However, his office stated they had no reports specifically involving scooters, despite eyewitness accounts.

KTLA’s coverage included a report from a resident who described the situation as surreal. “It feels like we’re in a war zone,” she said. “First, we’re fighting the fires, and now we have to worry about criminals invading our neighborhoods.”

HUNDREDS OF LOOTERS INVADE PALISADES NEIGHBORHOOD

‘Cars pull up, doors open, and groups of men run up to the doors of evacuated houses. There were 100 people who came up on scooters and were trying to get into any and all houses.’pic.twitter.com/F86N1AzmlI

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) January 10, 2025

‘Looters on Scooter’: LA Streets are Turning into the ‘Wild, Wild West’

In the aftermath of severe wildfires in LA, the community faces devastation with 11 deaths, numerous missing persons, and a destruction of land comparable to San Francisco’s size.

The fires have left a… pic.twitter.com/spN6K8u3Lw

— RVM News (@redvoicenews) January 11, 2025

In response to the dual crises, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the deployment of an additional 8,000 National Guard troops to assist in securing fire-ravaged areas.

“Looting will not be tolerated,” Newsom declared on X (formerly Twitter). “These communities have suffered enough. The National Guard deployment will bring our total on-the-ground personnel to 8,000. We will continue to use every resource available to keep our communities safe.”

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman issued a stern warning to those exploiting the crisis, calling the crimes “despicable” and promising severe penalties.

“They’ll be looking at going to jail. They’ll be looking at going to prison. They’ll be looking to pay back anything they stole,” Hochman said during an interview. “We won’t stand by while these communities are preyed upon.”

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of accountability. “Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis,” Barger said at a press conference. “I promise you, you will be held accountable.”

While law enforcement and the National Guard work to address the looting, the wildfires themselves remain largely uncontrolled. As of Thursday night, the Palisades Fire—the largest of six active wildfires—was only 8% contained.

The fires have already claimed 11 lives, left dozens missing, and forced approximately 180,000 residents to evacuate their homes. The destruction spans an area equivalent to the size of San Francisco, with no end in sight as high winds and dry conditions fuel the flames.

A homeowner in the evacuation zone told KCAL News that she was preparing to leave but was doing everything possible to secure her property first. “I don’t feel safe, but I can’t just abandon my home to these criminals,” she said.

The combination of natural disaster and criminal activity has created a sense of unease across Los Angeles. Many residents feel abandoned by local leadership, with some blaming past budget cuts to emergency services for the slow response.

Jesse Watters, a prominent commentator, described the situation as emblematic of deeper issues in California’s governance. “This isn’t just about wildfires or looting,” Watters said. “It’s about a system that’s failing its people on every level.”

Critics argue that the state’s leadership has failed to adequately prepare for the wildfire season, leaving communities vulnerable to both the fires and opportunistic criminals.

Officials have urged residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and prioritize their safety. Law enforcement agencies and the National Guard are ramping up efforts to secure affected areas, but challenges remain as the fires continue to spread.

Governor Newsom’s deployment of additional troops has brought some reassurance, but residents are still calling for more decisive action to address both the wildfires and the looting.

For now, the people of Los Angeles are left to navigate the uncertainty of a city under siege. With homes destroyed, lives lost, and criminal activity rampant, the resilience of these communities will be tested as they work to rebuild in the face of unprecedented challenges.

As firefighters battle the blazes and authorities work to restore order, Los Angeles faces a long road to recovery—one marked by both the scars of natural disaster and the fallout of human greed.