Los Angeles wildfires have claimed 24 lives, with catastrophic flames raging on. Severe winds are forecasted, threatening to intensify the fires, as emergency services battle to contain the devastating blazes. For the sixth day in a row, the fires ripped across the second-biggest city in the United States, destroying entire neighborhoods and displacing thousands of people.
Authorities report that the Palisades and Eaton fire zones have seen the most fatalities. The Eaton Fire Zone accounted for 16 deaths, while the Palisades Fire Zone had 8 fatalities, according to official records. Three active fires in the Los Angeles area have burnt over 40,000 acres, which is larger than San Francisco.
Authorities said on Sunday that the fires had destroyed over 12,000 houses and forced over 150,000 people to evacuate. The causes of the fires are still being investigated.
Winds up to 70 miles (110 kilometres) per hour mean a “particularly dangerous situation” will be declared from early Tuesday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld.
A public health emergency has been proclaimed by the local government, alerting people to the potential long-term health impacts of the smoke and particulate matter from the flames. Firefighters cautioned that these winds could fan flames and whip up embers from existing burn zones into new regions.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department, meanwhile, reported that they were prepared to handle the resurgent threat after receiving resources from far and wide, including dozens of new water trucks and firemen.
Grid searches were being conducted by teams using cadaver dogs in the hope that the verified death toll will increase. More looters were also arrested, including one burglar who had pretended to be a firefighter in order to steal from residences.
There has been a call for more National Guard resources and an extension of nighttime curfews in evacuated areas. As of right now, the Palisades Fire has burned 23,700 acres (9,500 hectares) and is just 11% contained.
