24 Lives Lost as Firefighters Battle Los Angeles Wildfires; Forecasters Warn of Returning High Winds

Firefighters are urgently working to manage wildfires in the broader Los Angeles area as meteorologists forecast the return of intense winds this week.

According to officials, 16 people are currently reported missing and at least 24 have been confirmed deceased.

The wildfires have caused damage to over 12,000 structures, and the risk of further devastation continues to be elevated, as noted by officials.

In combination with low humidity, strong winds are anticipated to sweep across the region in the upcoming days, potentially reaching gusts of up to 50 miles per hour, as indicated by Los Angeles City Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley. A red flag warning has been issued and is in effect until 6 p.m. on Wednesday, with the most severe winds expected on Tuesday.

“These wind events are moving into Los Angeles,” Crowley stated during a press conference on Sunday. “Every available firefighter from the LAFD is present and will remain on duty throughout this wind event. Furthermore, additional firefighters are arriving in the Southern California area to enhance our firefighting efforts.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass assured that the city is ready for the impending high winds during the briefing.

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The city’s fire department has deployed 4,720 personnel to curb the ongoing Palisades Fire, which has consumed over 23,000 acres and is currently 11 percent contained—preventing it from spreading into the Mandeville Canyon area. The Pacific Palisades neighborhood, located about 30 miles west of downtown Los Angeles, is currently grappling with the largest wildfire in the region, which is rapidly expanding. The containment level for the Eaton Fire stands at 27 percent.

Officials are urging residents to steer clear of the affected areas due to hazardous conditions, which include smoldering fires, loss of power and water, damaged gas lines, and downed electrical wires. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stated that approximately 105,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders, while another 87,000 are facing evacuation warnings.

“If you are asked to leave and you’re in an evacuation zone, your life is at risk. You need to evacuate,” Luna emphasized during the press conference. “Some of these areas look like they have been through a war.”

Nearly 30 arrests have occurred in fire-affected zones, including an individual impersonating a firefighter attempting to burglarize a residence, according to Luna.

Residents are advised to avoid these areas while officials conduct grid searches with cadaver dogs; three deceased individuals were discovered during a recent search of 364 properties in the Altadena area.

“As these searches progress, I unfortunately expect the numbers to rise. We will initiate a similar operation soon in the northern part of the county,” Luna stated.

The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) has implemented a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in areas under mandatory evac orders, as per Police Chief Jim McDonnell.

“Unless you are public safety personnel or part of a disaster response team, you have no justification to be in these locations,” McDonnell stated. “Should you be found in these areas, you will face arrest.”

Initially, the LAPD attempted to provide police escorts for residents needing to retrieve medications or pets, but the sheer volume of such requests forced police to suspend the escorts by Sunday.

Kathryn Barger, chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, mentioned that she has invited President-elect Donald Trump to visit the county to witness the devastation caused by the wildfires firsthand, and to meet with affected residents. Barger hopes this visit may help identify ways the federal government can assist the community in healing and rebuilding.

“I look forward to welcoming President-elect Trump to our neighborhoods so he can witness the desperate needs, as well as the remarkable potential, hope, and endurance of our impacted residents,” she remarked.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is setting up staff at eight libraries on Sunday and Monday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to provide local residents with disaster relief assistance. Fire victims in areas such as San Gabriel and Crescenta Valley can visit La Crescenta, La Cañada Flint Ridge, Live Oak, Temple City, San Gabriel, and Alhambra libraries, while those in West Los Angeles or the San Fernando Valley are directed to check in at the West Hollywood or San Fernando libraries for aid.

“We are quickly deploying resources to ensure that displaced residents can access both immediate and long-term support,” Barger stated. “We are committed to serving displaced residents with the highest regard as we address their housing, healthcare, and economic needs.”

The Pacific Palisades and neighboring communities north of San Vicente Boulevard that are under evacuation, as well as parts of Pasadena in the San Gabriel Valley, are currently under a “do not drink” water advisory. Utilities reported restoration efforts in places like Malibu on Sunday, while Southern California Edison indicated that 172,000 customers remained without power as of Friday.

Los Angeles County is still under a local health emergency due to poor air quality, prompting residents to wear N-95 or 9100 masks to filter out small particles in the air. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is distributing N-95 masks at all evacuation shelters and to community organizations during this air quality crisis.

“The air quality is showing signs of improvement as the smoke has lessened with better fire containment,” reported Anish Mahajan, the chief deputy director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “We recommend that residents who are near the fire and experiencing smoke should wear masks when outdoors.”