As of Sunday, January 12, the city’s medical examiner confirmed that at least 24 people have lost their lives in the wildfire outbreak that has ravaged the Los Angeles area in California, United States.
The majority of the fatalities, 16 in total, are attributed to the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, while eight others are linked to the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades district. These two fires are the most severe among several major blazes that have swept through the region since Tuesday.
The death toll is feared to continue rising, as emergency services may require several days to access all areas impacted by the fires safely.
Officials and firefighters work tirelessly to combat the blaze, but the situation remains dire.
“This could be one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The governor has signed an executive order to temporarily suspend environmental regulations for destroyed homes and businesses, facilitating the rebuilding process.
The U.S. weather service has forecasted wind speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour, combined with dry vegetation, creating an environment conducive to the rapid and unpredictable spread of both existing and new fires. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has warned of “critical fire weather” through Wednesday, stressing the need for extreme caution.
“Life-threatening winds and dangerously low humidity are forecast for much of Southern California – from Ventura to San Diego – creating a significant risk of rapid fire spread,” Cal Fire stated on X.
The department urged residents to exercise vigilance, avoiding activities that could spark new fires, such as mowing lawns or parking vehicles on dry grass. Ensuring all campfires are extinguished is also crucial.
Cal Fire officials reported that over 12,300 buildings have been destroyed or damaged. Since Tuesday, an area of almost 163 square kilometers has been consumed by flames – a space nearly the size of Washington D.C.
