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Fatalities from LA wildfires rise to 24 as gale-force winds loom

By: SigmaLive English

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Los Angeles braces for the return of fierce winds threatening to further spread the wildfires that have left scenes of utter devastation in its suburbs, claiming at least 24 lives, according to the latest figures released on Sunday.

Besieged by flames since last Tuesday, the city—home to the second-largest population in the United States—continues to mourn its dead. The toll climbed to 24 yesterday, as confirmed by the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.

In areas where the fires have been extinguished, nothing but ashes and debris remain, as witnessed by reporters from Agence France-Presse on the ground.

In Altadena, Janelle Grass described fearing for her life while evacuating horses from stables amid the inferno.
“There was so much smoke, it was dark—I couldn’t see anything. The horse and I kept stumbling over things, branches…” she recounted at an equestrian centre in Los Angeles, where many rescued animals have found temporary shelter. “I thought I’d be one of the fire’s victims,” she said tearfully, crossing herself.

Wind warnings and firefighter challenges

After a brief lull, hot, dry winds are expected to intensify again through at least Wednesday, complicating firefighters’ efforts.

The National Weather Service warned of gusts reaching 110 kilometres per hour, creating an “extremely dangerous situation” beginning Tuesday morning, according to meteorologist Rose Sundfeld. The strengthening winds are expected to reignite flames.

The fire department cautioned that the winds would prevent residents from returning to their homes before Thursday at the earliest. Authorities urged patience from citizens waiting in long queues, hoping to retrieve medications, clothing, or simply to assess whether their homes still stand.

“Many areas look like they’ve been bombed,” noted Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

Despite the efforts of thousands of firefighters, the “Palisade Fire” spread northwest of the city over the weekend, threatening the densely populated San Fernando Valley.

More than 12,000 structures—homes and other buildings—have been destroyed or damaged, according to authorities.

Public criticism and political reactions

Many residents openly question or criticise the authorities’ handling of the crisis, particularly as firefighters encountered hydrants with no water or inadequate pressure.

Democratic Mayor Karen Bass, facing widespread criticism, assured on Saturday that all city services were “on the same page.” A day earlier, the city’s fire chief criticised the municipal budget for underfunding her department.

California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an “independent and thorough investigation” into the city’s water services.

Former President Donald Trump launched a fresh verbal attack on California’s Democratic leaders over their wildfire management. “The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out,” the Republican, who is set to be re-inaugurated next week, posted on Truth Social.

Curfew and law enforcement

Amid increasing looting in fire-affected areas and neighbourhoods evacuated in haste, a strict curfew has been imposed from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, the hardest-hit areas.

Authorities announced the arrest of several looting suspects, including one dressed as a firefighter.

Cost and reconstruction

The devastation has raised fears that damages could reach tens of billions of dollars. Some experts predict that these wildfires may become the most expensive in US history.

Governor Newsom, speaking on NBC News yesterday, called for a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild his state and plans to relax certain regulations to allow affected residents to rebuild their homes as quickly as possible.

Rescue teams, aided by specially trained dogs, continue to search through the rubble for bodies.

Firefighters from across the state have rushed to assist with operations in Los Angeles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered to send 150 firefighters from his country to help.

Cause and climate concerns

The investigation into the causes of the multiple fire outbreaks, involving the FBI, is ongoing, Sheriff Luna reminded on Saturday.

The hot, dry Santa Ana winds, typical during California’s winters, reached their highest intensity since 2011 last week, with gusts as fast as 160 kilometres per hour, scattering embers and sparks over kilometres.

This scenario is nightmarish for firefighters, as California experiences an unusually dry winter following two wetter years, with no significant rainfall recorded in the past eight months.

Scientists have consistently warned that climate change will make extreme weather events more frequent, intensifying natural disasters such as wildfires.

Also read: Devastating LA firestorms kill 5 and destroy 2,000 buildings

Photo source: SBS

Source: ANA-MPA

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