LA Wildfires: Death toll rises to 24 as high winds loom

California authorities are bracing for fierce Santa Ana winds expected to sweep through Los Angeles County this week, further complicating efforts to control three devastating wildfires. 

Officials warn that winds reaching speeds of up to 60 mph (96 km/h) will resume Sunday night and persist through Wednesday, creating “potential disastrous wind conditions.”

The death toll climbed to 24 on Sunday, with 16 victims discovered in the Eaton fire zone and eight in the Palisades area. Another 16 people remain missing, according to the LA County medical examiner.

Firefighters, assisted by crews from eight US states, Canada, and Mexico, have made incremental progress. The Palisades fire, the largest, has consumed more than 23,000 acres and is 13% contained. The Eaton fire, which has burnt over 14,000 acres, is 27% contained, while the Hurst fire is nearly fully contained at 799 acres.

Kristin Crowley, LA’s fire chief, urged residents near evacuation zones to remain prepared and avoid obstructing emergency responders. 

According to BBC, despite the escalating fire threat, most schools outside mandatory evacuation zones will reopen on Monday, the LA Unified School District announced.

Local residents face mounting fear as conditions worsen. Topanga Canyon resident Alice Husum, 67, described her anxiety, saying, “We are all dreading Tuesday.” Husum stayed behind despite evacuation orders, noting that recent winds were “a little better than the 100 mile-gusts” earlier in the week.

While firefighters halted the spread of new blazes in areas such as the San Fernando Valley and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, at least 29 arrests for looting have been reported in evacuation zones. Among those apprehended were two individuals posing as firefighters. Sheriff Robert Luna described the deception: “He just got caught burglarising a home.”

Over 14,000 firefighters, backed by 84 aircraft and 1,354 fire engines, are battling the blazes. Yet, officials emphasise the danger remains severe. “You never know which way [the fires] are going to go,” warned Deanne Criswell, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The wildfires are on track to become some of the costliest in US history, with preliminary financial losses estimated between $250 billion and $275 billion by Accuweather.

In addition to combating the fires, officials are tackling drone interference, including an incident where a drone crashed into a vital firefighting aircraft, grounding it temporarily. They have also issued warnings about scammers exploiting the disaster and vowed to prosecute price gougers.

ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE