The death toll from the California wildfires has risen to 16, as reported by the Los Angeles Medical Examiner. Efforts are underway to contain the spreading blazes before potentially strong winds return, which could push the flames towards some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has imposed a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in evacuated areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton wildfires for the safety of residents and to facilitate emergency operations.
The previous count of confirmed fatalities stood at 11, but officials anticipate this number to increase as search teams with cadaver dogs comb through leveled neighborhoods. A center has been set up for reporting missing persons. Concerns loom over the fires possibly reaching the J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles, prompting new evacuation warnings and leaving more homeowners anxious.
By Saturday evening, the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst fires had collectively consumed approximately 62 square miles, an area larger than San Francisco. The Palisades and Eaton fires alone covered 59 square miles. Authorities estimate that at least 37,000 acres have been scorched.
Over 150,000 individuals in Los Angeles County are currently under evacuation orders, with over 700 seeking shelter in nine designated locations. A multi-state response effort involving 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft, and more than 14,000 personnel, including firefighters from Mexico, is ongoing.
Although Cal Fire reported containment percentages of 11% for the Palisades Fire and 15% for the Eaton Fire on Saturday night, the battle against the blazes continues. Weather conditions remain precarious, with strong winds expected to return on Monday.
Residents in the Altadena community are still barred from returning due to the Eaton Fire, while evacuation orders in certain areas of La Canada Flintridge have been downgraded to warnings. These decisions are made to safeguard lives and aid emergency responses.
The California Department of Transportation has announced the reopening of certain areas affected by the Eaton Fire. This includes the section of Highway leading from the curve at West Haskel Street to North Foothill Boulevard, extending to Knight Way and the intersection of Gould Canyon Trail at Crown Avenue, and further east to Varo Road.
Effective at 3 p.m. local time on Friday, re-population of communities impacted by the Eaton Fire commenced. Residents of the City of Bradbury, Bradbury Estates, and the City of Duarte are now permitted to return to their homes as evacuation orders have been lifted in these areas. The department emphasized their commitment to maintaining a strong presence in both the repopulated and evacuated zones over the coming days to ensure the safety and protection of residents and their properties.
While these specific areas have been reopened, the department clarified that all other road closures and evacuation zones related to the Eaton Fire remain in effect at this time, as highlighted on their official Facebook page.
The National Weather Service issued a warning concerning the potential return of strong Santa Ana winds in the region. These winds have been identified as a significant factor in exacerbating the wildfires, causing widespread destruction in neighborhoods due to the prolonged absence of substantial rainfall over the past eight months. Of particular concern is the threat of the fire spreading across Interstate 405 into densely populated regions within the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley.
The fires, which initially ignited on Tuesday just north of downtown Los Angeles, have resulted in the destruction of over 12,000 structures. Encouragingly, firefighters made notable progress on Friday afternoon in containing the Eaton Fire located north of Pasadena, which has already consumed more than 7,000 structures encompassing various types of buildings and vehicles. Officials have lifted most evacuation orders in the affected areas, signaling positive developments in managing the fire.
AccuWeather provided an initial estimate indicating the total damage and economic losses incurred thus far to be within the range of $135 billion to $150 billion. The extensive impact of the wildfires on the affected communities is a matter of ongoing concern and assessment.
The information provided in this report is augmented by contributions from The Associated Press.
(Source: Death toll from California wildfires rises to 16: LA Medical Examiner)
