The death toll in the Los Angeles wildfires rose to 24 on Sunday, as the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said it is investigating at least two dozen deaths linked to the two massive wildfires ravaging Southern California.
Officials said 16 deaths were attributed to the Eaton Fire and eight were related to the Palisades Fire. Those numbers are expected to increase, as the medical examiner said they cannot confirm the human remains until they are processed at their facility.
More than 150,000 residents have been evacuated and another 87,000 are in evacuation warning zones. More than 12,000 homes and businesses have been burned to the ground, and wildfires have so far devastated more than 155 square kilometers.
“Initial aerial assessments estimate 5,316 structures destroyed by the Palisades Fire and more than 7,000 structures destroyed by the Eaton Fire,” the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said in a statement.
“These initial numbers make the Eaton and Palisades fires likely the second and fourth most destructive fires in California history, respectively,” he added.
Firefighters continue to battle the destructive fires, which have been fueled by continued strong winds in the region with wind gusts between 30 and 70 miles per hour.
Due to the dangerous conditions, the fire warning remains in effect through Wednesday and evacuation orders have been extended until at least Thursday. Dusk-to-dawn curfews also remain in effect as police crack down on looting in the area.
“We are not out of the woods yet. We have very significant fire weather ahead of us,” Nancy Ward, director of the California Office of Emergency Services, said at a news conference. “We need to give the people and first responders of Southern California the support they need.
“We have pre-positioned additional engines, fire crews, helicopters, bulldozers and tankers throughout Southern California, in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and the San Diego County, all prepared to assist and support the additional fire threat,” Ward added.
About 14,000 emergency personnel, 1,300 fire trucks and 84 aircraft have been deployed from nine states, including California, as well as teams from Canada and Mexico.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said he will deploy another 1,000 members of the California National Guard to help fight the wildfires.
President Joe Biden has already approved a major disaster declaration for the state to provide financial assistance for cleanup and rebuilding, and early estimates put the cost of wildfire damage at at least $10 billion. .
Humanitarian groups and nonprofit organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank have already begun relief efforts for displaced residents, providing food, water, shelter and living supplies to those who have been affected by the deadly fires.
