LOS ANGELES – Fire Crews Battle Los Angeles Wildfires Amid New Wind Warnings -

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LOS ANGELES – Fire Crews Battle Los Angeles Wildfires Amid New Wind Warnings

Firefighters in Los Angeles worked tirelessly on Sunday to contain a series of wildfires that have ravaged the area, with new wind alerts raising fears of further destruction. The flames, fueled by persistent Santa Ana winds, continued to threaten communities across Southern California, prompting widespread evacuations.

The Palisades Fire, described as the most devastating wildfire in Los Angeles history, expanded by an additional 1,000 acres over the weekend, reaching a total of 23,707 acres. The fire, which was only 11% contained, destroyed more homes as it spread to the north and east. Officials issued additional evacuation orders west of the 405 freeway as the blaze endangered Encino and Brentwood neighborhoods.

At a press conference on Sunday, local officials reported some progress in containing the fires but warned that renewed high winds could hamper efforts. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed 14 fatalities linked to the fires, while the medical examiner’s office updated the death toll to 16 as of Saturday evening.

Palisades Fire Threatens High-End Neighborhoods
Cal Fire spokesperson Todd Hopkins revealed on Saturday that the Palisades Fire had reached the Mandeville Canyon area and was at risk of spreading to Brentwood and the San Fernando Valley. Meanwhile, evacuation warnings extended to areas near UCLA, located in the Westwood district of Los Angeles.

The Palisades Fire is one of six wildfires that have ignited since Tuesday, leaving neighborhoods in ruins. Four of these fires remained active as of Sunday.

Forecasters predicted that Santa Ana winds, which have intensified the fires over the past week, would weaken temporarily on Sunday afternoon but would return with greater force by Sunday night, potentially lasting through Wednesday. Wind gusts between 30 and 50 mph are expected, with the most severe conditions anticipated on Tuesday.

“Critical fire weather will likely worsen,” the National Weather Service cautioned, adding that the conditions could exacerbate current fires and ignite new ones.

Current Fire Impact and Containment Status

Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged across Southern California, with wildfires consuming an estimated 38,000 acres, according to Cal Fire.
Evacuation orders are now in place for 105,000 residents, while another 87,000 are under evacuation warnings.
Containment efforts have made varying progress: Palisades (11% contained), Eaton (27%), Hurst (89%), and Kenneth (80%). Two earlier fires, Sunset and Sunswept, have been suppressed.
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced an investigation into potential water supply challenges that may have hindered firefighting efforts.

Death Toll Reaches 16 Amid Wildfires
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner reported that at least 16 people have died in the ongoing fires. The Palisades Fire accounted for five deaths, while 11 fatalities were linked to the Eaton Fire.

One of the victims was Victor Shaw, 66, who died while protecting his Altadena home. Authorities are working to confirm the identities of other victims, including an elderly man in his 80s.

Governor Newsom, speaking on NBC’s Meet the Press, warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue teams, supported by cadaver dogs, continue operations.

International Assistance and Government Response
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canadian firefighting teams and equipment, including aircraft from British Columbia and Quebec, are assisting in containment efforts. Mexico also pledged support, with firefighters from the National Forestry Commission and National Defense teams joining the response.

“We are committed to helping our neighbors and friends in the United States,” said Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo during a press conference.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell confirmed that U.S. military personnel are on standby to assist. FEMA also assured that sufficient funds are available to support firefighting and recovery efforts.

Scenes of Destruction Resemble War Zones
Senator Adam Schiff described the devastation as reminiscent of war-torn regions, with entire neighborhoods obliterated. “It’s not sporadic damage—it’s entire blocks completely gone,” Schiff said during a televised interview.

For residents like Richard and Cathryn Conn, who evacuated from Pacific Palisades, the uncertainty is unbearable. “We’ve lived in our home for over 25 years, and now we’re not even sure if it’s still standing,” said Richard Conn, 75.

Power Restoration and Precautionary Shutdowns
Southern California Edison CEO Steven Powell reported progress in restoring electricity, with 48,000 customers still without power—down from over 500,000 a few days earlier. Officials warned that precautionary power shutoffs might resume to prevent new fires.

“These outages are inconvenient, but they save lives,” said a fire official.

As crews continue to battle the flames, residents and officials remain on high alert, bracing for what could be another challenging week in Southern California’s relentless fire season.

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