Quotes
The winds continue to be of a historic nature... this is absolutely an unprecedented, historic firestorm,
said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
We're throwing everything at our disposal — including our National Guard service members — to protect communities in the days to come,
he saidThis is the most widespread, devastating fire in California's history,
he saidYou will be held accountable."
Authorities also vowing zero tolerance for looters, with Luna promising
Having the National Guard with us will help send a stronger message, keep people out of the impacted areas, so we don't continuously victimize the people who have already been victimized,
he said, reported the LA Times
We're not doing this to inconvenience anybody,
said Luna
You cannot be in these affected areas. If you are, you are subject to arrest,
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said during a press conference
I promise you, you will be held accountable. Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis."
Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County Supervisor, during a press conferenceWe are up to 20 individuals who chose to go into our areas and deprive these poor people, who have been through so much, of their property,
Luna said in a press conference, addingThey told us to leave and we got what we could,
the homeowner saidI am now called racist and that's fine, but just know I have absolutely. Nothing against people of color, quite the opposite,
the user postedOne of the issues that we have, of course, is we do need to be cognizant of the fact that this is our fire season as well,
he added
We haven’t had any requests for further support. But Australia always stands ready to provide support to our friends in times of need,
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Albanese told Australian Broadcasting Corp. in the west coast city of Perth on FridayWhen we have an evacuation order by law, if you remain in that area, you are guilty of a misdemeanor. If you commit certain crimes, it could jump up to a felony,
Luna said
Taking advantage of evacuated communities is absolutely sick,
he said in a tweet
I told the governor, local officials, spare no expense to do what they need to do and contain these fires,
Biden said after he met senior advisers at the White HouseAll cases are currently pending identification and legal next of kin notification,
the coroner's office said in a statementYou will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,
he warned, advising the public against exploiting the situation for personal gain
To those who would seek to take advantage of evacuated communities, let me be clear: looting will not be tolerated,
California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement on Thursday as he announced the 400-strong National Guard deployment, which takes the number of official personnel on the ground responding to the disaster to 8,000I did the classic American thing: I went and got my shotgun and I sat out there, and put a light on so they knew people were there,
he told AFP