Death Toll and Current Status
The devastating wildfires around Los Angeles have claimed 24 lives, with officials fearing the toll could rise as 16 people remain missing. The Los Angeles County medical examiner confirmed that 16 fatalities occurred in the Eaton fire zone and eight in the Palisades area. The Palisades fire, the largest of the three major blazes, has scorched over 23,000 acres and is only 13% contained. The Eaton fire has burned more than 14,000 acres with a 27% containment, while the Hurst fire, though smaller at 799 acres, is nearly fully contained. The fires are poised to be among the costliest in U.S. history, with Accuweather’s preliminary loss estimates between $250 billion and $275 billion.
Impending Weather and Firefighting Efforts
Weather forecasters warn that the notorious Santa Ana winds will return, potentially reaching speeds of up to 60 mph from Sunday night to Wednesday. Fire crews are racing to make headway before the winds exacerbate the situation. The National Weather Service has issued a rare ‘particularly dangerous situation’ alert, expecting extreme fire behavior from early Tuesday until midday Wednesday. Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin cautioned that despite some containment progress, “the end is not even close yet.” Over 14,000 firefighters, supported by 84 aircraft and 1,354 fire engines, are battling the flames. Assistance has also arrived from eight other states, Canada, and Mexico.
Community Impact and Safety Measures
As evacuation numbers decrease, about 105,000 residents remain under mandatory evacuation orders, with another 87,000 under warnings. Schools, except those in mandatory evacuation zones, are set to reopen on Monday. Authorities have arrested 29 individuals for looting, and two impostors posing as firefighters were caught burglarizing homes. Sheriff Robert Luna has requested additional National Guard troops to bolster the 400 already deployed, with Governor Gavin Newsom approving 1,000 more.
Meanwhile, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has emphasized the continued danger and urged residents to heed evacuation orders. Officials have also warned against unauthorized drone flights near fire zones after a drone collision with a firefighting plane caused damage, temporarily grounding it. Governor Newsom and President-elect Donald Trump have exchanged criticisms over the handling of the crisis, with Trump attributing the devastation to political incompetence, while Newsom rebuked Trump’s comments as misinformation.
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