LA fires death toll rises to 24 as high winds are expected

Forecasters in California are warning strong winds that have whipped up flooding around Los Angeles are expected to resume this week, as firefighters race on the ground to make progress in controlling three wildfires.

Officials warned that after a weekend of calm winds, Santa Ana’s notorious winds will pick up again Sunday night into Wednesday, reaching speeds of up to 60mph (96km/h).

Before the wind wakes up, progress has been made in stopping the spread of the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires, which are burning on opposite ends of the city. Local firefighters are being assisted by crews from eight other states, as well as Canada and Mexico, who are still arriving.

The LA County medical examiner revised the death toll Sunday to 24, and officials previously said at least 16 others were still missing.

Sixteen of the dead were found at the Eaton fire station, and eight were found in the Palisades area.

Three fireworks continue to burn in Los Angeles.

The largest fire is the Palisades, which has burned more than 23,000 acres and is 13% contained.

The Eaton fire is the second largest and has burned more than 14,000 acres. It contains 27%.

The Hurst Fire has grown to 799 acres and is almost completely contained.

The wildfires are on track to be among the costliest in US history.

On Sunday, independent forecaster Accuweather raised its initial estimate of financial losses from the fires to between $250bn-$275bn.

Although crews were able to begin containing the larger fires, authorities warned that the upcoming wind event could lead to “potential severe weather conditions”, with all of LA County at risk of fire.

“Unfortunately, we’re moving back into the red with potentially catastrophic wind conditions between now and Wednesday, with higher winds expected on Tuesday,” Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin told the BBC.

“Even though we are making progress, the end is still not close,” he said.

The National Weather Service has issued an unusual ‘extremely hazardous situation’ warning on Tuesday, warning of “extreme fire behavior” – from 04:00 local time, until noon on Wednesday.

Kristin Crowley, LA City Fire Chief, asked residents near evacuation centers to be prepared to flee if the order is issued, and to stay off the streets as much as possible to avoid obstructing crews.

Despite the dire forecast, all schools except those in mandatory evacuation zones will reopen Monday, the LA Unified School District announced.

Topanga Canyon resident Alice Husum, 67, told the BBC that the new fire that started in the area overnight was put out quickly, but she and her neighbors were all “scared on Tuesday” when the wind speed would increase.

But Ms Husum, who has stayed behind despite evacuation orders, notes the forecast is “a bit better than the 100 mile-gusts we were hitting” earlier in the week.

New fires continued to break out on Sunday, threatening communities in the San Fernando Valley and near Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

On Sunday, firefighters were able to quickly stop the spread of new fires in the Angeles National Forest, which surrounds a facility at the heart of the US space program and which contains top secret technology.

At least 29 people have been arrested for looting in areas they were forced to leave. Two people were caught pretending to be firefighters with the intention of stealing from people who were leaving.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a press conference on Sunday that he has asked the National Guard to reinforce the 400 already in the area. California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced that 1,000 more members of the National Guard will be deployed.

“When I was over there in the Malibu area, I saw a gentleman who looked like a firefighter. I asked him if he was okay because he was sitting on the ground. I didn’t see that he was handcuffed,” said Sheriff Luna. journalists.

“We turned him over to the LAPD because he was dressed like a firefighter, which is not the case. He was recently caught breaking into a house. So those are the issues that our deputies and police are dealing with.”

There are now 14,000 firefighters in the southern California region, assisted by 84 aircraft and 1,354 fire engines, said Sheriff Luna.

Evacuation numbers have decreased, with approximately 105,000 residents still under mandatory evacuation orders and 87,000 under evacuation warnings.

Deanne Criswell, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), told CNN on Sunday that there is still a serious threat.

“I know that there are many people who want to return to the area to look for their homes, but as the wind returns, you don’t know where they will go,” he said.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said limited access was allowed to evacuate residents over the weekend, but said his officers have since barred all residents from returning.

Officials have issued repeated orders for drone operators not to fly near wildfires, and are now seeking information after a drone crashed a critical plane.

The FBI shared photos of a small plane that collided Thursday with a plane known as the “Super Scooper,” one of the world’s most active firefighting planes, bringing it to a halt.

The drone tore a 3×6-inch (8-by-15cm) hole in the plane.

Officials also warned of fraudsters who want to take advantage of the victims, and issued a stern warning that anyone caught with price fixing will be prosecuted.

Meanwhile, the feud between California Governor Newsom and President-elect Donald Trump continues.

Trump, who takes office on January 20 and has been invited by the governor to visit the fire damage, on Saturday blamed “incompetent” politicians for “one of the worst tragedies in our country’s history”.

Newsom, a Democrat, has also attacked Trump for sharing “inexcusable” lies about the fires.

With additional reporting from Regan Morris