16 Confirmed Dead, 16 Missing as High Winds Approach Fire Areas in Los Angeles

As wildfires rage across the greater Los Angeles area, officials report that 16 individuals are missing, while at least 16 others have been confirmed dead.

Over 12,000 structures have been either damaged or destroyed by the wildfires, and the threat of additional devastation remains significant, according to authorities.

Due to low humidity, officials anticipate strong winds in the next few days, with gusts reaching up to 50 miles per hour, as outlined by Los Angeles City Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley. A red flag warning has been issued until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, with the most intense winds expected on Tuesday.

“These wind events are moving into Los Angeles,” Crowley stated at a Sunday press conference. “Every available LAFD firefighter is on duty and will stay in position throughout this wind event. Moreover, firefighters continue to arrive in the Southern California region to enhance our firefighting efforts.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed confidence in the city’s readiness for the impending high winds during the briefing.

The City Fire Department has deployed 4,720 personnel to curb the spread of the Palisades Fire, which has already scorched over 23,000 acres and is currently 11 percent contained, moving towards the Mandeville Canyon area. The Pacific Palisades neighborhood lies about 30 miles west of downtown Los Angeles and is currently facing the largest wildfire in the region, which is rapidly advancing.

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Officials are urging residents to steer clear of the affected zones due to hazardous conditions, including smoldering fires, lack of power and water, broken gas lines, and downed power lines. Sheriff Luna mentioned that about 105,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders, with an additional 87,000 under evacuation warnings.

“If you are ordered to leave an evacuation area, your life is at risk. You must evacuate,” Luna urged during a press conference. “In driving through some of these areas, they literally appear as war zones.”

Nearly 30 arrests have been made in the fire-affected areas, including one individual impersonating a firefighter while attempting to loot a house, Luna reported.

Residents are advised to avoid the regions while officials utilize cadaver dogs for grid searches. Recently, three deceased individuals were discovered during a sweep of 364 properties in the Altadena area.

“As these searches proceed, I sadly anticipate that the number of fatalities will increase. We will begin a similar operation in the northern part of the county shortly,” Luna commented.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has implemented a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in areas where mandatory evacuations remain active, according to Police Chief Jim McDonnell.

“Unless you are part of the public safety team or other emergency personnel, you should have no reason to be in these locations,” McDonnell stated. “If you are found in those areas, you will likely be arrested.”

Initially, the LAPD attempted to provide escorts for residents needing to retrieve medications or pets, but after the influx of requests became “overwhelming,” this service was discontinued on Sunday.

Kathryn Barger, chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, mentioned that she has sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump inviting him to visit the county to “observe the devastation of these wildfires firsthand” and meet with affected residents. Barger hopes this visit could pave the way for federal assistance in helping communities recover and rebuild.

“I look forward to welcoming President-elect Trump to our communities to witness the urgent need and the incredible opportunity, hope, and resilience of our affected residents,” she added.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is operating at eight libraries on Sunday and Monday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to assist residents with disaster relief. Fire victims in the San Gabriel and Crescenta Valley areas can access help at libraries in La Crescenta, La Cañada Flint Ridge, Live Oak, Temple City, San Gabriel, and Alhambra. Those in West Los Angeles or the San Fernando Valley are advised to visit the West Hollywood or San Fernando libraries for support.

“We are swiftly allocating resources to ensure that displaced residents have access to essential services in both the short and long term,” Barger remarked. “We will prioritize providing assistance to those who have been displaced as we attend to housing, healthcare, and economic needs.”

The Pacific Palisades and nearby communities north of San Vicente Boulevard are currently under evacuation orders, as are parts of the Pasadena area in the San Gabriel Valley, which have a “do not drink” water advisory. Officials reported that utilities are working to restore services in affected cities, including Malibu. Southern California Edison noted that 172,000 customers were without power on Friday.

Los Angeles County remains under a local health emergency due to deteriorating air quality. Residents are advised to wear N-95 or 9100 masks to filter out harmful particles. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is distributing N-95 masks at all evacuation shelters and to community organizations in response to air contamination.

“Air quality is improving as the smoke levels decrease with better containment of the fires,” stated Anish Mahajan, chief deputy director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “We advise residents near the fires, who may smell or see smoke, to wear masks when outside.”