LOS ANGELES — Firefighters were on high alert Sunday as they endeavored to combat wildfires that have ravaged thousands of properties and claimed 24 lives in the Los Angeles region. As the threat of dangerous weather loomed, with reports of strong winds returning this week, at least 16 individuals remained unaccounted for, a figure that authorities warned might increase further.
The National Weather Service has issued red flag alerts for extreme fire conditions lasting until Wednesday. Forecasters predict sustained winds reaching 50 mph (80 kph) and gusts as high as 70 mph (113 kph) in mountainous regions, with meteorologist Rich Thompson stating that the most perilous day is expected to be Tuesday.
“You will encounter extremely powerful gusty Santa Ana winds combined with a very dry atmosphere and parched brush,” Thompson remarked at a community meeting Saturday night.
In response, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone announced the arrival of 70 additional water trucks to bolster firefighting efforts. “We are ready for the impending wind event,” Marrone stated. Officials confirmed that fire retardant dropped from aircraft over the weekend would serve as a buffer along the hillsides.
The intense Santa Ana winds have been largely responsible for propelling the wildfires, ignited last week, into uncontrollable blazes that devastated entire neighborhoods—an area that has seen no significant rainfall for over eight months.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna revealed that twelve individuals were reported missing in the Eaton Fire zone, while four are unaccounted for in the Palisades Fire area. He acknowledged that there may be “dozens” more reports that surfaced Sunday morning, with investigators working to determine if some of the missing might be among the deceased. Notably, there have been no reported child casualties from the missing list.
The death toll climbed to 24 over the weekend, with the Palisades Fire responsible for eight fatalities, and the Eaton Fire accounting for the remaining 16, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office. Officials anticipated that this number would rise as search teams equipped with cadaver dogs methodically comb through leveled neighborhoods. A designated center has been set up for people to report missing individuals.
An online database to assist evacuated residents in checking the status of their homes is currently in development. Meanwhile, Fire Chief Kristin Crowley urged the public to stay clear of burned neighborhoods, emphasizing ongoing dangers. “There are active fires burning in the Palisades area, making it extremely hazardous for the public,” Crowley advised during a Sunday morning briefing.
Authorities cautioned that the ash from the fires could contain toxins such as lead, arsenic, and asbestos, which pose serious health risks.
Currently, around 150,000 residents in Los Angeles County remain under evacuation orders, with more than 700 individuals seeking refuge in various shelters. Officials indicated that evacuation orders in the Palisades region would likely persist until after the red flag warnings conclude on Wednesday evening.
On Sunday morning, Cal Fire disclosed that the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst fires had ravaged over 62 square miles (approximately 160 square kilometers), an area larger than San Francisco. The Palisades Fire was reported to be 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire reached 27% containment, with these two fires covering nearly 153 square kilometers.
Firefighting efforts involve crews from California and nine additional states, with nearly 1,400 fire engines, 84 aircraft, and over 14,000 personnel including reinforcements from Mexico.
Minimal growth was reported for the Eaton Fire, which the LA County Fire Department noted exhibited “continued smoldering and creeping” Sunday, allowing for the lifting of most evacuation orders in the area.
Firefighters engaged in a hard-fought battle Saturday managed to contain flames in Mandeville Canyon, a region home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities, where helicopters directed water drops as the blaze surged downhill.
As reports of looting emerged, authorities announced several arrests linked to this issue. Los Angeles Police Department Captain Michael Lorenz indicated that seven people had been detained recently, including two individuals impersonating firefighters and infiltrating homes.
Lorenz stated that while he could not provide exact figures, officers were detaining approximately ten individuals daily. California National Guard troops are now assisting in property protection.
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his firm stance against looting on social media, emphasizing that perpetrators would not be tolerated.
The fires that ignited Tuesday in proximity to downtown Los Angeles have destroyed over 12,000 structures, with no definitive cause currently identified for the most significant blazes. Preliminary estimates suggest the damages and economic losses may range from $135 billion to $150 billion, potentially marking this disaster as the costliest in U.S. history.
In a recent NBC interview, Newsom highlighted the fires’ potential severity, indicating that they could surpass any prior natural disaster in terms of costs and overall impact.
Among the firefighting crews are hundreds of incarcerated individuals from California’s prison system, aiding efforts by cutting fire lines and removing combustible materials. Though the reliance on inmate labor for firefighting is longstanding, it remains a contentious issue given the low wages compensated for high-risk work—reportedly up to $10.24 per day, with an additional amount for 24-hour shifts.
Donation centers have seen an overwhelming response, leading to some locations, such as Santa Anita Park, needing to turn away volunteers. Jose Luis Godinez, a resident of Altadena, shared his heartbreak after three family homes were lost. “Everything is gone,” he lamented in Spanish, noting that these homes had been shared by over a dozen relatives.
To aid the rebuilding process, Newsom issued an executive order aimed at expediting recovery by suspending specific environmental regulations and ensuring that property tax evaluations do not increase.
“We want to assure people that we stand by them,” he stated. “We want them to return, rebuild, and enhance their buildings with modern standards.” Over 24,000 individuals have already registered for federal assistance following a major disaster declaration by President Joe Biden last Wednesday.
LA Mayor Karen Bass mentioned that she anticipates a visit from Donald Trump, as discussions have been held with members of the incoming presidential administration. She faces a significant challenge in her leadership amid mounting accusations of governance failures and political conflict. Newsom has also mandated state officials to investigate the circumstances surrounding the malfunctioning 117 million-gallon reservoir and non-working hydrants.
Crowley expressed frustration with the city leadership for not allocating sufficient funding for firefighting resources and highlighted issues with water availability. “When firefighters approach a hydrant, it is expected that water will be there,” Crowley emphasized.
