The county sheriff confirmed that reports of missing individuals are increasing “hour by hour” as experts warn that perilous conditions may trigger additional fires. At least 16 lives have been lost.
Here’s the latest on the fires:
Firefighters, racing against the clock as desert winds threaten to worsen, have made some headway in battling the two largest fires currently raging in Los Angeles. These fires have claimed at least 16 lives and destroyed entire neighborhoods, stretching from the inland hills to the Pacific Coast.
Crews have managed to gain ground on the Eaton Fire, containing more of its spread, and have successfully slowed the Palisades Fire’s progress toward homes in Mandeville Canyon, part of the Brentwood area. However, the fire risk remains high, and winds picked up again on Sunday morning.
Forecasters predict a brief lull in the winds on Sunday afternoon, but stronger gusts, similar to the desert winds that have fueled the flames, are expected to return on Monday, likely triggering another round of extreme fire conditions. This puts Southern Californians on edge as the danger persists.
The Eaton Fire, which has claimed at least 11 lives, is now among the 10 deadliest fires in California’s history. Authorities warn that the death toll is likely to rise as search teams with cadaver dogs continue to comb through devastated neighborhoods, and the full extent of the destruction remains unclear.
Here’s what we’re tracking:
Slow Progress: As of Sunday morning, crews had contained 11% of the 23,700-acre Palisades Fire and 27% of the 14,000-acre Eaton Fire, which is located in the San Gabriel Mountains northeast of downtown Los Angeles, according to Cal Fire. Tens of thousands of residents remained under evacuation orders or warnings.
Forecast: The National Weather Service predicts Santa Ana wind gusts early Sunday could reach 60 to 70 miles per hour in Los Angeles and Ventura counties’ mountain areas. Winds are expected to lessen in the afternoon, but stronger offshore winds are anticipated to return Monday night and last through Wednesday.
Growing Criticism: Local and state officials are facing mounting questions about their preparedness for the fires, which ignited last Tuesday, and the rapid escalation of their size. President-elect Donald J. Trump called California officials “incompetent” on Sunday, questioning why the fires have not yet been contained.
Scale of Destruction: The total area burned by this week’s fires surpasses the city limits of cities like San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Boston, and Miami. Together, the Eaton and Palisades fires have destroyed over 12,000 “structures,” including homes, cars, and outbuildings.
