The death toll in the Los Angeles wildfires has touched 24 with firefighters struggling to contain the blaze that has ravaged the region. The LA County medical examiner confirmed the updated death toll on Monday.
Rising concerns, weather forecasters said fierce winds which fuelled the blaze might pick up this week, exacerbating the situation.
Officials told BBC that after a weekend of relatively calm winds, the notoriously dry Santa Ana winds would pick up again from Sunday night until Wednesday, reaching speeds of up to 60mph (96km/h).
Firefighters have made some progress in containing the Palisades and Eaton fires.
Crews from other US states and neighbouring Canada and Mexico have joined local firefighters in their race to bring the inferno under control.
California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X: “Emergency responders are ready tonight.Pre-positioned firefighters and engines are spread around Southern California. Stay safe. Be ready to evacuate if you get the order.”
With thousands of homes, including those belonging to several Hollywood celebrities, being destroyed, the fires have forced more than 100,000 people to evacuate.
As per media reports, the damage caused due to the fires stands at $135 billion to $150 billion.
The largest fire has been recorded in the Pacific Palisades, which has burned over 23,000 acres.
More than 14,000 acres have been burnt due to the Eaton fire.
Speaking on the challenges they are facing, Pasadena fire chief Chad Augustin told BBC: “Unfortunately, we’re going right back into red flag conditions with some potential disastrous wind conditions between now and Wednesday, with the peak winds expected to be on Tuesday.”
“While we’re making some progress, the end is not even close yet,” he said.
Meanwhile, US President-elect Donald Trump has slammed the California officials for ‘incompetence’ in handling the Los Angeles.
Writing on Truth Social, Trump said: “The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out.”
