LOS ANGELES (AP) – The ongoing wildfires in the Los Angeles area have escalated, leading to a tragic increase in the death toll to 16. This figure includes five fatalities linked to the Palisades Fire and 11 due to the Eaton Fire, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County coroner's office on Saturday evening. Before this update, the confirmed death count stood at 11, but authorities anticipate further increases as teams equipped with cadaver dogs conduct comprehensive searches through devastated neighborhoods. A center has been established for residents to report missing individuals.
Concerns mount regarding the potential impact of strong winds, which could threaten notable landmarks in the city, including the J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The situation is heightened by new evacuation warnings affecting additional homeowners in the area, compelling many to remain in a state of anxiety.
As of Saturday evening, Cal Fire announced that the fires, including the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst fires, had scorched approximately 62 square miles (160 square kilometers), an area exceeding the size of San Francisco. The Palisades and Eaton fires alone have consumed nearly 59 square miles (153 square kilometers). In a briefing, Michael Traum from the California Office of Emergency Services indicated that around 150,000 residents within Los Angeles County are under evacuation orders, with over 700 people currently sheltered in nine facilities.
The firefighting response encompasses crews from California and nine other states, utilizing a vast array of resources that includes 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft, and over 14,000 personnel, which now also features newly arrived firefighters from Mexico. Despite their extensive efforts, Cal Fire has reported containment figures of only 11% for the Palisades Fire and 15% for the Eaton Fire as of Saturday night, highlighting the continuing struggle against the flames.
In Mandeville Canyon, a location known for its celebrity inhabitants like Arnold Schwarzenegger, firefighters faced intense conditions as helicopters released water and ground crews battled the advancing flames on the hillside. A resurgence of fire on the eastern side of the Palisades Fire led to renewed evacuation orders issued on Friday evening.
The National Weather Service has warned of the imminent return of strong Santa Ana winds, which have been largely responsible for amplifying the wildfire severity in the city, particularly in areas that have experienced no significant rainfall for more than eight months. The fires commenced early in the week near downtown Los Angeles and have tragically destroyed over 12,000 structures, including homes and businesses.
The progress made against the Eaton Fire, which has affected over 7,000 structures north of Pasadena, was noted for the first time on Friday afternoon, leading to the lifting of most evacuation orders in that area.
Early evaluations suggest that these wildfires may become the costliest in U.S. history, with damage estimates from AccuWeather ranging between $135 billion and $150 billion. Amidst these tragedies, there has been an outpouring of community support. Donation centers have been overwhelmed with volunteers, notably at the Santa Anita Park horse racing track, where afflicted families received essential items such as clothing and blankets.
In a significant cautionary note, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has advised residents against returning to their devastated homes to recover personal belongings, emphasizing the dangers posed by toxic ash that may contain hazardous materials. Residents will be permitted to return only after damage assessment teams evaluate their properties and protective measures are taken.
Amidst this widespread disaster, criticism has been directed toward local leadership. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces scrutiny regarding her management of the crisis, as claims of administrative failures and inadequate resources for firefighting emerge. Governor Gavin Newsom has initiated an investigation into why a 117 million-gallon reservoir was out of service, highlighting lapses in firefighting preparedness.
Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has expressed dissatisfaction with the level of funding her department has received and criticized the lack of sufficient water resources available for firefighting operations. The current devastation marks a severe challenge in a state that regularly encounters wildfires, as officials announce that impacted residents can apply for government assistance online.
