Firefighters in Los Angeles are racing against time to contain raging wildfires that have claimed 16 lives as forecasters warn of the return of strong Santa Ana winds this week.
The US National Weather Service (NWS) reported a temporary lull in the winds over the weekend, but gusts of up to 110 km/h (70 mph) are expected to return by Tuesday, intensifying the fire risk across Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Red flag warnings will remain in effect until Wednesday, with conditions expected to ease by Thursday.
On Sunday, firefighting aircraft dropped water and fire retardant over steep hills in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in an effort to slow the fire’s eastward advance. Ground crews managed to save several homes, but others were destroyed by the flames.
“Los Angeles County endured another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak,” said LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
Blaze Devastation and Rising Death Toll
Since Tuesday, six simultaneous wildfires have scorched Los Angeles, with the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire causing the most destruction. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office reported five deaths linked to the Palisades Fire and 11 fatalities from the Eaton Fire.
Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed that 12 people remain missing in the Eaton Fire zone, while four are unaccounted for near the Palisades Fire.
California Governor Gavin Newsom warned that the death toll is likely to rise as search-and-rescue teams, supported by cadaver dogs, comb through the wreckage. “This may be the worst natural disaster in US history in terms of scale, destruction, and costs,” Newsom told NBC News.
Mass Evacuations and Federal Response
Evacuation orders have displaced 153,000 residents, with another 166,000 warned they may need to evacuate. Entire neighborhoods have been reduced to ash, with fire officials reporting that 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell announced that active-duty military personnel are prepared to support firefighting efforts. “We have the funding to support this response and recovery,” she said, encouraging residents to begin filing for disaster relief.
Escalating Destruction
The Palisades Fire alone has burned over 22,000 acres (8,900 hectares), with containment efforts achieving just 11% control as of Saturday night. The fire spread by an additional 1,000 acres (400 hectares) within 24 hours, threatening more homes and densely populated areas.
Phil Lavelle, reporting from above Los Angeles, described the vast scale of destruction: “From up here, you can see how quickly the fire can change direction. In one moment, it’s heading toward Brentwood; in another, it’s moving toward the San Fernando Valley, home to millions of people.”
As the fires continue to spread, authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant and adhere to evacuation orders. Fire officials are working tirelessly to prevent further devastation as Southern California braces for another wave of strong winds.
