Los Angeles wildfires
By Our Reporter
The death toll from massive wildfires that have ravaged Los Angeles in the United States rose to 24 on Sunday, January 12, 2025, with officials warning of incoming dangerous winds that could whip the blazes up further.
The fires continued to rip through the United States’ second-largest city for the sixth day, reducing whole communities to scorched rubble and leaving thousands without homes.
Massive firefighting efforts have staunched the spread of the Palisades Fire, which was looming toward upscale Brentwood and the densely populated San Fernando Valley.
But conditions are set to dramatically worsen, with “extreme fire behaviour and life-threatening conditions” over the coming days.
Winds up to 70 miles (110 kilometres) per hour mean a “particularly dangerous situation (PDS)” will be declared from early Tuesday, said National Weather Service meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld.
These gusts could fan flames and whip up embers from existing burn zones into new areas, firefighters warned.
Los Angeles County Fire Department chief Anthony Marrone said his department had received resources including dozens of new water trucks and firefighters from far afield and was primed to face the renewed threat.
Questioned whether hydrants could run dry again, as they did during the initial outbreak of fires last week, Mayor Karen Bass replied: “I believe the city is prepared.”
There was frustration for evacuees who were told they would not be returning home until at least Thursday when winds subside.
Some have queued for hours in the hope of getting back to homes they fled to pick up medication or a change of clothes, AFP reported.
But Sheriff Robert Luna said escorts into these areas were being suspended Sunday because of the winds and dangerous conditions among the wreckage, as well as the need to retrieve victims’ bodies.
Teams with cadaver dogs were carrying out grid searches with the grim expectation that the confirmed death toll would rise.
Several more arrests of looters were made, including one burglar who had dressed as a firefighter to steal from homes.
Nighttime curfews in evacuated zones have been extended, and additional National Guard resources have been requested.
The Palisades Fire has now consumed 23,700 acres (9,500 hectares) and was just 11 per cent contained.
Video footage showed “fire tornadoes” – red-hot spirals that occur when a blaze is so intense it creates its own weather system.
The ferocious fire also left streaks of molten metal flowing from burnt-out cars.
But containment of the 14,000-acre Eaton Fire in Altadena had improved, figures showed, with 27 per cent of its perimeter controlled.
