The death toll from the Eaton and Palisades wildfires, which ravaged large swaths of Los Angeles County, is still less than 30% dead, but the death toll has risen to 24, coroners said.
The Los Angeles County coroner released a list of the dead without providing identifying details. Eight of the dead were found in the Palisades fire zone and 16 were found in the Eaton fire zone, according to the document.
California officials warned Sunday that stronger winds in the coming days could cause more destruction across the city, where many neighborhoods have already been destroyed. The two fires destroyed more than 1,800 structures and damaged more than 10,000.
Three wildfires continued to burn in Los Angeles County Sunday, leaving more than 150,000 people under evacuation orders. Firefighters said a change in Santa Ana winds could blow the Palisades Fire, which has burned about 24,000 acres, toward the coast.
At a news conference Sunday afternoon, officials said winds were expected to pick up again tonight into Wednesday, and more than 4,700 personnel had been assigned to contain the fire’s spread.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Battalion Chief Christian Ritz said the Palisades fire is looking “in very good shape based on the flame activity, but there’s still some heat on the edges,” adding that crews are “looking at the fire progression and the fire.” We are continuing to work to prevent this from happening.” This is to limit it as much as possible. ”
Ritz said in addition to firefighters clearing fire perimeters or emergency lines, the department deployed “extensive” airborne firefighting resources.
“We have planes, helicopters and even drones. We are dropping retardant and dropping water everywhere we can to ensure that advantage,” he said. added.
Aircraft continued to drop fire retardant and water throughout the day Sunday, despite concerns that strong winds would make aerial firefighting operations impossible.
Rich Thompson of the National Weather Service said the winds that caused what he called a “very extreme fire event” last week will return, albeit at a reduced intensity.
“Unfortunately, Santa Ana winds are still blowing and moderate to strong winds are expected through Wednesday…gusts between 55 and 55 mph.” The wind and dry conditions were described as “very significant fire weather conditions.” “It’s a recipe for creating,” he added.
L.A. Fire Chief Christine Crowley said the impending high winds require extreme caution. “This wind event is coming toward us, and it’s coming very quickly,” she said, reassuring Angelenos that city leaders are “prepared for the next time this happens.” I tried. Mr Crowley also urged the community to stay informed “with reliable news and official updates” and “be prepared to evacuate”.
“Please follow all evacuation warnings and orders without delay and stay off roads and affected areas,” Crowley added.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said the fires were not yet over, but were “close to being over” and that the curfew was still in place. Luna said she recognizes that many evacuated Los Angeles residents want to return to their homes, but warned that “many neighborhoods look like they’ve been hit by a bomb.” The coroner’s office and fire department were using cadaver dogs to search the affected area.
“I don’t expect to hear good news from them,” he said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Sunday that the fires would be the worst natural disaster in U.S. history “not just in terms of the costs involved, but in terms of scale and scope.”
Newsom told NBC’s Meet the Press that he signed an executive order to expedite disaster relief to disaster victims. More than 12,300 homes and businesses have been destroyed and more than 200,000 people have been evacuated.
Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump, who will return to the White House in eight days, used his Truth Social platform to criticize Newsom and other California officials for alleged mismanagement before and during the outbreak. He continued to criticize and criticize.
On Friday, Governor Newsom ordered an investigation into Los Angeles County’s water management after reports surfaced that critical reservoirs shut down during fires and some emergency hydrants lost water pressure before running dry. .
Crowley, the Los Angeles Fire Department chief, has been vocal in saying that water problems and budget cuts led to firefighters’ “failures.”
Trump and other Republican politicians singled out embattled Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for signing a budget bill that stripped $17 million from the Los Angeles Fire Department.
“The fires are still burning in Los Angeles. The incompetent Poles don’t know how to put them out. What’s wrong with them?” Trump wrote. He has continued to make false claims against Newsom and other Democrats.
In an interview with NBC on Sunday, Newsom called Trump’s false claims “unacceptable.”
“It will take another month to respond to Donald Trump’s insults. Every elected official he disagrees with knows them well. Misinformation and disinformation… I don’t think it’s going to benefit us or help us.”
Meanwhile, forecasters said “red flag” warnings will remain in effect across Los Angeles County Sunday as stronger winds and cooler weather threaten to cause more damage.
“The combination of dry vegetation and prolonged extreme fire weather conditions will promote rapid growth and unusual behavior of new or existing fires,” the National Weather Service said in a statement.
A glimmer of hope came with news that the smaller Kenneth Fire in Los Angeles and Ventura counties has been completely extinguished, and the Hearst Fire in Los Angeles County is 89% under control.
This will free up more of the 14,000 firefighters and other personnel from multiple states, Mexico and Canada to focus on the more serious and deadly Palisades and Eaton fires, officials said. said the people.
The four fires have burned approximately 160 square kilometers, according to a report from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). All of the reported deaths were caused by the Palisades and Eaton fires, but officials said they were only 11% and 27% contained, respectively, by early Sunday morning.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) Director Deanne Criswell warned Sunday that a significant threat remains.
“Winds could become dangerous and strong again. I believe the red flag warning has been reinstated. It remains dangerous and (people) should ensure they consult with local authorities to keep themselves safe.” We need to hear it,” she said on CNN’s State of the Union.
“I know a lot of people probably want to get back into the area and check on their homes, but the winds are picking up again and we don’t know which way they’re going to go, so they really need to be careful. We need to pay attention, listen to what’s going on, and stay out of harm’s way.”
Officials issued new evacuation orders for eastern communities threatened by the Palisades fire, including the wealthy Brentwood area. The city’s Mandeville Canyon Road is a narrow two-lane road, making emergency access and evacuation to the area’s expensive homes difficult.
The order also includes the Getty Center, which houses a large art collection.
A spokeswoman for the J. Paul Getty Trust, which funds the museum, said the museum is following evacuation orders and is currently closed and staffed only by emergency personnel.
Edward Helmore contributed reporting
