LA death toll rises to 24; further destruction anticipated
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More than 1,800 structures have been destroyed as the Eaton and Palisades fires remain less than 30% contained.
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The Eaton Fire burns in Altadena, Calif., on January 8, 2025 (AP)
The death toll from the Eaton and Palisades fires, which have devastated vast areas of Los Angeles County and are still under 30% contained, has climbed to 24, as reported by medical examiners.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office released a list of the deceased without disclosing their identities. According to the report, eight victims were found in the Palisades fire zone, and 16 in the Eaton fire zone.
California officials issued a warning on Sunday, stating that strengthening winds in the coming days could worsen the devastation across the city, which has already witnessed entire neighborhoods destroyed. The two fires have already destroyed more than 1,800 buildings and caused damage to over 10,000 structures.
As of Sunday, three wildfires continued to burn in Los Angeles County, with over 150,000 people still under evacuation warnings. Firefighters cautioned that shifting Santa Ana winds could push the Palisades fire, which has already destroyed nearly 24,000 acres, back toward the coast.
During a news conference on Sunday afternoon, officials stated that over 4,700 personnel were deployed to prevent the fires from spreading, as winds are expected to intensify again from tonight through Wednesday.
Christian Litz, a battalion chief with the LA County Fire Department, said the Palisades fire was "looking really good as far as flame activity, but there’s still heat all along the edges," and crews were still working to ensure there was "no fire progression or to limit it as much as possible."
LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley stated that the approaching winds required "very close attention." “This wind event is approaching us, and approaching us very, very quickly,” she said, reassuring Los Angelenos that city leaders were “ready for this next event."
Read next: LA Mayor slashed fire dept. budget by $49mln days before wildfires
Additionally, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said the fires were not over yet but were "closer to being over," and a curfew remained in effect. He acknowledged that many evacuated residents were eager to return to their homes but cautioned that "a lot of areas look like they were hit by a bomb." The coroner's office and fire department were conducting searches in affected areas with the help of cadaver dogs.
“I don’t expect good news from those,” he said.
The governor of California, Gavin Newsom, said on Sunday that the fires would be the worst natural disaster in US history, "in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and scope".
Canada to the rescue
On a related note, Canada is expected to send 60 firefighters at the request of the United States to help extinguish the fires in California, the Canadian Minister of Emergency Preparedness Harjit Sajjan said.
"American friends" have asked for help in extinguishing forest fires, according to the minister.
"Sixty firefighters from Alberta and BC will be deployed as soon as tomorrow and we’re working to identify and prepare more resources to send over the days ahead. Neighbors helping neighbors," Sajjan said on X.
Our American friends have asked for help to fight the wildfires in California and Team Canada is responding.
— Harjit Sajjan (@HarjitSajjan) January 12, 2025
The federal government is coordinating efforts with the provinces to deploy resources.
Sixty firefighters from Alberta and B.C. will be deployed as soon as tomorrow…
Several wildfires have erupted in California since Tuesday, forcing tens of thousands to evacuate and resulting in at least 24 fatalities.
According to NewsNation, citing law enforcement officials, one person has been arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on suspicion of arson in connection with the Kenneth Fire, one of the major wildfires currently burning in California.
