The death toll from the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles has risen to 24, with officials warning that incoming dangerous winds could escalate the situation further.
The fires, now in their sixth day, have ravaged large parts of the city, leaving whole neighborhoods in ruins and thousands of residents displaced.
Efforts to control the Palisades Fire have been successful in halting its spread toward areas like Brentwood and the San Fernando Valley. However, conditions are expected to worsen with “extreme fire behavior and life-threatening conditions” predicted in the coming days.
Winds gusting up to 70 mph (110 km/h) are expected to create a “particularly dangerous situation” from Tuesday, warned the National Weather Service. These winds may intensify the fires and scatter embers to new areas.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the department was prepared with additional resources, including new water trucks and firefighters from various locations.
Mayor Karen Bass reassured that the city was ready to handle the situation, despite concerns about hydrants running dry as they did during the initial outbreak of fires last week.
Evacuations are still in place, and evacuees were told they could not return home until at least Thursday due to the ongoing fire danger. Some residents who had fled are desperate to retrieve essential items like medication or clothes.
Meanwhile, authorities are continuing the search for bodies. The confirmed death toll is expected to rise as teams, assisted by cadaver dogs, comb through the wreckage. There have also been multiple arrests for looting, including one suspect who impersonated a firefighter.
The Palisades Fire has burned through 23,700 acres (9,500 hectares) and is just 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire in Altadena has consumed 14,000 acres (5,700 hectares) and is 27% contained.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed that eight people died in the Palisades Fire zone, and 16 died in the Eaton Fire zone.
The number of people under evacuation orders has decreased to around 100,000 from nearly 180,000. The city is facing a housing crisis as displaced residents struggle to find shelter, with reports of illegal price gouging by landlords.
Governor Gavin Newsom pledged to rebuild Los Angeles, drawing parallels to the U.S. aid given to Europe after World War II, saying the city would be reimagined as “L.A. 2.0.”
President-elect Donald Trump criticized California officials for their handling of the fires, calling it one of the worst disasters in U.S. history.
International support is pouring in, with firefighting crews from Mexico and even Ukraine offering assistance, as the situation grows more dire.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the fires, as experts acknowledge the role of urban sprawl and climate change in exacerbating the scale and frequency of such disasters.
