The wildfires ravaging Los Angeles have worsened with the return of strong winds, prompting warnings of dangerous conditions. Multiple fatalities have been reported, and thousands of homes have been destroyed.
Firefighters in Los Angeles struggled on Sunday to contain wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and claimed 24 lives. Forecasters warned of dangerous weather conditions with the return of strong winds this week. At least 16 people were reported missing, and authorities anticipate the number to increase.
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions through Wednesday, with sustained winds of 50 mph (80 kph) and gusts in the mountains reaching 70 mph (113 kph). Tuesday is expected to be the most dangerous day. \Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone stated that 70 additional water trucks arrived to assist firefighters in battling the flames fueled by renewed gusts. He assured the public that they are prepared for the upcoming wind event. Fire retardant dropped from aircraft on Sunday will act as a barrier along hillsides. \Fierce Santa Ana winds are largely blamed for transforming the wildfires that ignited last week into infernos that leveled entire neighborhoods in the city, which has experienced no significant rainfall in over eight months. Twelve people were missing within the Eaton Fire zone, and four were missing from the Palisades Fire, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. He added that 'dozens' more reports could emerge Sunday morning, and investigators are working to determine if some of the missing might be among the deceased. There are no children among those reported missing. \Meanwhile, the death toll rose to 24 over the weekend. Eight deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire, and 16 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the Los Angeles County coroner's office stated Sunday evening. Officials anticipate this figure to increase as teams with cadaver dogs conduct systematic grid searches in leveled neighborhoods. Authorities have established a center for reporting missing persons. \ Officials are also constructing an online database to allow evacuated residents to ascertain if their homes were damaged or destroyed. In the meantime, LA city Fire Chief Kristin Crowley urged people to avoid scorched neighborhoods. 'There are still active fires burning within the Palisades area, making it extremely, extremely dangerous for the public,' Crowley said at a Sunday morning briefing. 'There's no power, there's no water, there's broken gas lines, and we have unstable structures.' Officials warned that the ash may contain lead, arsenic, asbestos, and other hazardous materials. \About 150,000 people in Los Angeles County remained under evacuation orders, with over 700 residents taking refuge in nine shelters, Luna said. Officials stated that most evacuation orders in the Palisades area are unlikely to be lifted before the red flag warnings expire Wednesday evening. 'Please rest assured that first thing Thursday we will begin talking about repopulation,' Marrone said. \By Sunday morning, Cal Fire reported that the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst fires had consumed more than 62 square miles (160 square kilometers), an area larger than San Francisco. The Palisades Fire was 11 percent contained, and containment on the Eaton Fire reached 27 percent. These two blazes accounted for 59 square miles (nearly 153 square kilometers). Crews from California and nine other states are participating in the ongoing response, which includes nearly 1,400 fire engines, 84 aircraft, and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico. \Minimal growth was expected Sunday for the Eaton Fire 'with continued smoldering and creeping' of flames, an LA County Fire Department incident report stated. Most evacuation orders for the area have been lifted. \After a fierce battle Saturday, firefighters managed to push back flames in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities near Pacific Palisades not far from the coast, where swooping helicopters dropped water as the blaze surged downhill. The fire traversed chaparral-covered hillsides and briefly threatened to jump over Interstate 405 and into densely populated areas in the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley. \Looting remains a concern, with authorities reporting more arrests as the devastation grows. Michael Lorenz, a captain with the Los Angeles Police Department, stated that seven people have been arrested in recent days, with two suspects 'posing as firefighters coming and in and out of houses.' Asked exactly how many looters have been arrested, Lorenz said he couldn't provide a precise number but that officers were detaining about 10 people a day. California National Guard troops arrived Friday to help guard properties
WILDFIRES CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES WINDS DEATHS
Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Los Angeles firefighters make progress as intense winds easeLatest Philippine news from GMA News and 24 Oras. News, weather updates and livestreaming on Philippine politics, regions, showbiz, lifestyle, science and tech.
Read more »
Los Angeles wildfires death toll rises as crews fight heavy winds to save homes and landmarksLOS ANGELES — The death toll from the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area rose to 16 as crews battled to cut off the spreading blazes before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward some of the city's most famous landmarks.
Read more »
24 dead as fire crews try to corral Los Angeles blazes before winds return this weekLOS ANGELES (AP) — Firefighters scrambled Sunday to make further progress against wildfires that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed 24 people in the Los Angeles area as forecasters again warned of dangerous weather with the return of strong winds this week.
Read more »
Death toll hits 16 as LA wildfires rageLOS ANGELES — Firemen raced against time Saturday to contain huge wildfires around Los Angeles as winds continued to escalate, pushing the blazes toward previously unaffected neighborhoods.
Read more »
Massive Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles, Prompts Evacuations and Declares DisasterTwin wildfires, the Palisades and Eaton fires, burn uncontrollably across Los Angeles, consuming nearly 28,000 acres and causing at least five fatalities. Thousands of structures are destroyed, forcing over 100,000 evacuations. Hurricane-force winds exacerbate the situation, creating a 'firestorm' visible from space. The blazes are the most destructive in Los Angeles history, highlighting the region's vulnerability to wildfires due to prolonged drought and Santa Ana winds.
Read more »
23-year-old arrested for murder of 3 Fil-Ams in Baldwin Park, Los AngelesLatest Philippine news from GMA News and 24 Oras. News, weather updates and livestreaming on Philippine politics, regions, showbiz, lifestyle, science and tech.
Read more »