LA wildfires kill 16, destroy 12,000 structures; evacuations ordered
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The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office says five of the fatalities were linked to the Palisades fire, while 11 were attributed to the Eaton fire.
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A fire fighting helicopter drops water as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on January 11, 2025 (AFP)
Wildfires in Los Angeles have destroyed 12,000 structures and claimed 16 lives, The Guardian reported on Sunday, citing authorities.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office confirmed that five of the fatalities were linked to the Palisades fire, while 11 were attributed to the Eaton fire.
Sheriff Robert Luna warned that the death toll could rise as search dogs are deployed to areas devastated by the fires, noting that 13 individuals remain missing.
County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath indicated that the Los Angeles area "had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak, and even more Angelenos evacuated due to the north-east expansion of the Palisades fire."
Presenting an update on the wildfires in Los Angeles at approximately 2 am, Sky News highlighted that the Palisades fire has so far consumed at least 23,654 acres with 11% containment, while the Eaton fire burned at least 14,117 acres and was 15% contained.
Meanwhile, the Kenneth fire consumed at least 1,052 acres and recorded a 90% containment, while the Hurst fire consumed at least 799 acres with a 76% containment.
A preliminary estimate by AccuWeather put the damage and economic losses so far of the LA fires at between $135 billion and $150 billion.
CalFire Operations Chief Christian Litz stated that efforts on Saturday would concentrate on containing the Palisades fire, which is burning near the UCLA campus and the J. Paul Getty Museum.
In 24 hours, the Palisades fire consumed an additional 1,000 acres (400 hectares), destroying more homes.
Fire crews are engaged in a fierce battle against flames in Mandeville Canyon, an area near the Pacific coast and home to prominent residents, including Arnold Schwarzenegger. Helicopters have been deployed to drop water as flames descend into the canyon.
On its part, the National Weather Service has issued warnings about intensifying Santa Ana winds, which are expected to pick up on Saturday night and continue into Sunday morning across Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Sustained winds could reach 30 mph, with gusts of up to 70 mph. The winds are forecasted to return late Monday and persist through Tuesday morning.
The fire is also threatening to jump Interstate 405, potentially spreading into densely populated areas, including the Hollywood Hills and the San Fernando Valley.
In response to criticism regarding water supply issues, the Los Angeles Department of Public Works released a statement addressing "misinformation" about the availability of water for firefighting efforts.
The statement followed remarks by LA Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley, who told Fox LA that dry hydrants in parts of the Palisades had hindered firefighting efforts earlier in the week.
Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart reported that the city has lost one-third of its eastern edge. Malibu, a community of about 10,000 residents on Los Angeles’ western outskirts, has faced three fires in as many months, with the Palisades fire posing the greatest threat as it edges toward Interstate 405.
Firefighting reinforcements arrived from Mexico on Saturday afternoon, with additional teams from Canada and Texas en route to California. Governor Gavin Newsom has also doubled the deployment of the state’s National Guard to Los Angeles to support firefighting efforts.
In addition, the governor launched a website, CaliforniaFireFacts.com, to counter misinformation regarding the wildfires. The platform provides updates on water availability, forest management practices, and the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget.
In a related context, Southern California Edison CEO Steven Powell reported that approximately 50,000 customers remain without power, down from over half a million earlier in the week.
Powell stated there is no evidence linking Edison’s equipment to the Hurst fire, although the investigation is ongoing.
