The number of confirmed casualties from the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles County area has increased to 16, as reported by local authorities. The coroner’s office has indicated that five fatalities were linked to the Palisades Fire, while 11 deaths resulted from the Eaton Fire. Investigations into these incidents are still ongoing.
The previous confirmed death toll was 11, but officials anticipated that this number could rise further, as search and recovery teams, including cadaver dogs, are combing through the wreckage of neighborhoods that have been rendered uninhabitable. In light of this, a dedicated center has been set up for individuals to report their missing loved ones.
Firefighters are currently engaged in a race against time to curb the spread of the wildfires before strong winds are expected to exacerbate the situation. These winds could potentially push the flames towards iconic assets such as the J. Paul Getty Museum and the esteemed University of California, Los Angeles. New evacuation warnings were issued, contributing to ongoing anxiety among local residents.
A fierce battle against the flames is taking place in Mandeville Canyon, a neighborhood known for its celebrity residents including Arnold Schwarzenegger, located near the Pacific coast. Helicopters have been swooping down to drop water on the advancing blaze while ground crews are on the scene using hoses to combat flames as thick smoke engulfs the hilly terrain.
CalFire Operations Chief Christian Litz highlighted the Palisades Fire as a primary focus during a briefing, emphasizing the need for aggressive firefighting tactics in the area adjacent to UCLA’s campus. “We need to be aggressive out there,” Litz stated firmly.
County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath expressed the sentiment that the Los Angeles community was enduring another perilous night filled with fear and heartbreak, as even more residents were forced to evacuate due to the Palisades Fire’s northeast expansion. While light winds were initially helping to spread the flames, forecasters from the National Weather Service cautioned that strong Santa Ana winds might soon return—winds notorious for igniting wildfires and causing them to escalate dramatically, particularly in a region that has seen little rain in over eight months.
The wildfires have now consumed around 56 square miles, a land area greater than that of San Francisco, and tens of thousands of individuals remain under evacuation orders. Additional evacuation orders were issued on Friday evening following a flare-up in the eastern section of the Palisades Fire. Since the wildfires began on Tuesday, just north of downtown Los Angeles, they have destroyed over 12,000 structures, including homes, apartments, businesses, and vehicles.
As investigations continue, the cause of these major fires remains unclear, but preliminary evaluations suggest that they might become the most costly wildfires in U.S. history, with damage estimates ranging between $135 billion and $150 billion.
Amid the devastation, a wave of generosity has emerged, with numerous volunteers flocking to donation centers, overwhelming the facilities. Some potential helpers were turned away from a YMCA in Koreatown, and similar scenes unfolded at the Santa Anita Park horse racing track, where donations were being collected. At the track, individuals displaced from their homes were seen sifting through piles of donated goods. One of the attendees, Jose Luis Godinez, lamented the total loss of three family homes, saying, “Everything is gone. All my family lived in those three houses, and now we have nothing.”
Local officials have cautioned residents against returning to their homes, as many have begun the search for salvageable items amid the ruins. Authorities warned that ash remnants could contain hazardous substances such as lead, arsenic, and asbestos. “If you’re kicking that stuff up, you’re breathing it in,” cautioned Chris Thomas, a spokesperson for the incident command at the Palisades Fire. Residents will be allowed to return once safety evaluations have been conducted and protective gear is provided.
As investigations continue, accusations of inadequate leadership and oversight have surfaced. Governor Gavin Newsom has tasked state officials with determining the reasons behind a 117 million-gallon reservoir being out of service, alongside instances of dry hydrants. Additionally, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley criticized the city’s leadership for failing to allocate sufficient resources to firefighting efforts. “When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there’s going to be water,” she stated.
Positive progress was reported for firefighters battling the Eaton Fire, particularly in the area north of Pasadena, where they managed to make significant strides. Most evacuation orders in that region were subsequently lifted. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces a critical test as this crisis unfolds, stating that several smaller fires have also been contained. The extensive damage across the state is striking, even in a region accustomed to experiencing such overwhelming wildfires.
