16 Confirmed Dead, 16 Missing as Firefighters Battle Los Angeles Wildfires Ahead of Coming Winds

LOS ANGELES—Firefighters worked relentlessly on Sunday to gain additional control over wildfires that have claimed 16 lives in the Los Angeles area, as meteorologists again cautioned about perilous conditions arising from the expected resurgence of high winds this week. At least 16 individuals remain unaccounted for, and officials indicated that this figure is likely to increase.

The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings indicating severe fire risks through Wednesday, with sustained winds anticipated at 50 mph and gusts in mountainous regions possibly reaching 70 mph. Meteorologist Rich Thompson from the weather service indicated that Tuesday would be the most hazardous day.

“We’re forecasted to experience very strong, gusty Santa Ana winds, in conjunction with a dry atmosphere and parched vegetation, leading to exceptionally critical fire weather conditions,” Thompson stated at a community forum on Saturday night.

The ferocious Santa Ana winds have primarily been held accountable for exacerbating the wildfires ignited last week into raging infernos that obliterated entire neighborhoods, with significant rainfall absent for over eight months.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna reported on Sunday morning that twelve individuals were unaccounted for within the Eaton Fire zone and four from the Palisades Fire.

Meanwhile, the death toll climbed to 16 over the weekend, with five fatalities linked to the Palisades Fire and 11 attributed to the Eaton Fire, as stated in an announcement from the Los Angeles County coroner’s office on Saturday evening.

Prior to Saturday, the confirmed death toll was 11; however, officials indicated that this number was likely to rise as teams equipped with cadaver dogs conduct methodical searches in the devastated areas. A center has been set up for individuals to report missing persons.

In response to the crisis, officials are creating an online platform to help evacuated residents check on the status of their homes. Meanwhile, LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has urged the public to steer clear of charred neighborhoods.

“There are still active flames within the Palisades region, posing extreme danger to the public,“ Crowley stated in a briefing on Sunday. ”There is no electricity, no water, broken gas mains, and unstable structures. First responders are doing their best to ensure it is safe for you to return to your communities.”

Officials have issued warnings that the ash left behind may contain hazardous materials such as lead, arsenic, and asbestos.

Approximately 150,000 residents in Los Angeles County remain under evacuation orders, with over 700 individuals seeking shelter in nine facilities, according to Luna.

By Sunday morning, Cal Fire reported that the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst fires have scorched over 62 square miles, a region larger than San Francisco. The Palisades Fire is currently 11 percent contained while the Eaton Fire has achieved 27 percent containment, with these two blazes covering a combined 59 square miles.

Firefighting crews from California and nine other states, comprising 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft, and over 14,000 personnel—including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico—are actively involved in the firefighting efforts.

Fighting to Save Public and Private Areas

Minimal escalation of the Eaton Fire is expected Sunday, which is forecasted to involve smoldering and creeping flames, according to an incident report from the LA County Fire Department.

Following an intense battle on Saturday, firefighters managed to hold back flames in Mandeville Canyon, a celebrity enclave near Pacific Palisades, where helicopters swooped in to drop water as the fire rushed downhill.

The fire traversed chaparral-laden hills and briefly posed a threat of jumping over Interstate 405 into densely populated areas including the Hollywood Hills and the San Fernando Valley.

Arrests for Looting

Looting remains a significant concern, sparking authorities to report increased arrests as the destruction amplifies. LAPD Captain Michael Lorenz confirmed that seven people were apprehended in the last two days.

“We even arrested two individuals who were pretending to be firefighters, entering and exiting homes, so we are being exceptionally vigilant,” Lorenz remarked at the community meeting on Saturday evening.

When inquired about the total number of looters arrested, Lorenz stated he couldn’t provide an exact figure but noted that approximately 10 people are detained daily. Troops from the California National Guard were deployed on Friday to help secure properties.

On Saturday, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared on X that “California will NOT tolerate looting.”

Historical Cost

The fires that ignited on Tuesday just north of downtown LA have destroyed more than 12,000 structures.

Firefighters reported their first breakthroughs on Friday afternoon in controlling the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena, which has affected over 7,000 structures—encompassing homes, apartment buildings, businesses, outbuildings, and vehicles. Most evacuation orders in the area have also been lifted, according to officials.

The cause of the largest fires remains undetermined, with early assessments suggesting that these wildfires could be the costliest in U.S. history. An initial evaluation by AccuWeather estimated that the damage and economic losses could fall between $135 billion and $150 billion.

In an NBC interview aired on Sunday, Governor Gavin Newsom remarked that these fires might become the worst natural disaster in U.S. history.

“In terms of associated costs, scale, and scope, I believe it will be,” he stated.

Inmate Firefighters on the Front Lines

Alongside teams from surrounding states and Mexico, hundreds of inmates from California’s prison system have also been mobilized to assist in firefighting efforts. Nearly 950 incarcerated firefighters were dispatched to establish fire lines and eliminate fuel sources to hinder fire spread, as per an update from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Although the state has traditionally depended on prison labor for firefighting, this practice has come under scrutiny due to the meager compensation for such hazardous work. Inmates receive approximately $10.24 per day, along with additional pay for 24-hour shifts, according to the corrections department.

Overflowing Kindness

Donation centers are overflowing with volunteers, with some locations, including the Santa Anita Park horse racing track, having to turn away excess donations; individuals who lost their homes are sorting through piles of donated items like shirts, blankets, and other necessary goods.

Jose Luis Godinez, a resident of Altadena, shared that three homes occupied by over a dozen family members were completely annihilated.

“Everything is gone,” he stated, speaking in Spanish. “All my family lived in those three houses, and now we have nothing.”

Rebuilding Will Be a Challenge

The level of destruction is shocking, even for a state accustomed to catastrophic wildfires. Traum from the state Office of Emergency Services noted that those affected can apply online for immediate government assistance.

On Sunday, Newsom issued an executive order designed to expedite the rebuilding of devastated properties by suspending certain environmental regulations and ensuring that property tax assessments remain unchanged.

“California is a leader in environmental protection. I won’t compromise on that. But I refuse to accept delays,” he stated. “Delays mean denial for people: lives, traditions, and neighborhoods torn apart.”

“We must convey that we stand by them,” he emphasized. “We’re eager for people to return, rebuild, and construct using higher quality standards and more modern methods. We want to ensure that the associated costs do not become disproportionate, particularly in middle-class neighborhoods.”

Leadership Accused of Skimping

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing a pivotal test of her leadership during an unprecedented crisis for the city, yet allegations of leadership shortcomings, political finger-pointing, and investigations are surfacing.

On Friday, Newsom instructed state officials to investigate why a 117 million-gallon reservoir was unavailable and why some hydrants were dry.

Crowley, the LA fire chief, claimed city leadership has let down her department by not allocating sufficient funding for firefighting efforts. She also voiced concerns regarding water shortages.

“When a firefighter comes to a hydrant, we expect there to be water,” Crowley remarked.

By Christopher Weber and Holly Ramer