Firefighters continue to battle flames as fears more strong winds are forecast to spread the deadly wildfires into further populated areas of Los Angeles as ITV News’ Romilly Weeks reports
The death toll from the wildfires in Los Angeles has risen to at least 16 while new evacuation orders have been issued as firefighters race to cut off the spread of the flames.
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office confirmed on Saturday night that five fatalities were attributed to the Palisades Fire and 11 resulting from the Eaton Fire.
It was previously confirmed that there was 11 fatalities but officials expected that number to rise after cadaver dogs searched neighbourhoods leveled by the fires.
Tens of thousands of people remained under evacuation orders and new evacuations were ordered Friday evening after a flare up on the eastern side of the Palisades Fire. Authorities have also established a centre where people can report the missing.
Meanwhile firefighters race to cut off spreading wildfires before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward the world famous J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles.
A fierce battle against the flames was underway in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities not far from the Pacific coast, where swooping helicopters dumped water as the blaze charged downhill.
Firefighters on the ground are using hoses in an attempt to beat back leaping flames as thick smoke blanketed the chaparral-covered hillside.
At a briefing, CalFire Operations Chief Christian Litz said a main focus Saturday would be the Palisades Fire burning in the canyon area, not far from the UCLA campus.
“We need to be aggressive out there,” Litz said.
County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said the LA area “had another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak, and even more Angelenos evacuated due to the northeast expansion of the Palisades Fire.”
But with light breezes fanning the flames and strong Santa Ana winds set to return, Firefighters believe the wildfires could continue to spread over Interstate 405 and into the densely populated neighbourhoods in the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley.
On Sunday, Governor Gavin Newsom welcomed firefighters from Mexico to help battle to the blaze.
Two aircraft carrying the crews as well as humanitarian aid landed in Los Angeles on Saturday as Newsom confirmed
the extra firefighters will be “out on the ines for the next 24, 36 hours.”
However, allegations of leadership failures and political blame have begun and so have investigations.
On Friday Governor Newsom ordered state officials to determine why a 117 million-gallon (440 million-liter) reservoir was out of service and some hydrants had run dry.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said city leadership failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting. She also criticized the lack of water.
“When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there’s going to be water,” she said.
Karen Bass, Mayor of Los Angeles, said at a press conference on Saturday night “make no mistake, we will have a full accounting of what worked and especially what did not.”
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said the grim work of sifting through the devastation continued Saturday, with teams conducting systematic grid searches with cadaver dogs.
A family assistance center was being established in Pasadena, and he urged residents to abide by curfews.
“We have people driving up and around trying to get in just to look. Stay away,” he said.
Rodney Nickerson, 83, was among the victims. His remains were discovered amid the charred remnants of his home after the Eaton Fire swept through his Altadena neighbourhood.
His daughter, Kimiko Nickerson, told US news outlet KCAL: “We found his bones; his whole body was intact”.
Despite local evacuation orders, Nickerson chose to remain in his home.
“My son tried to get him to leave, my neighbours and myself, and he said he’ll be fine,” Kimiko said.
Other victims Anthony Mitchell, a 67-year-old amputee, and his son, Justin, who had cerebral palsy, were waiting for an ambulance to come but did not make it out, Mitchell’s daughter, Hajime White, told The Washington Post.
A local Los Angeles resident appeared to be away when their home security camera system recorded footage of their property catching fire Tuesday night
Where are the active fires?
The fires have consumed about 56 square miles (145 square kilometers), an area larger than San Francisco.
Kenneth: The latest fire Burning in the West Hills of Los Angeles County and rapidly spreading, covering at least 1,000 acres with firefighters containing 35% of the blaze so far. One man has been arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with this latest blaze.
Lidia – This fire near Acton, north of Los Angeles, has burned more than 340 acres and is 75% contained.
Hurst – Located just north of San Fernando, the fire began on Tuesday night and has since spread to 771 acres. Firefighters have contained 37% of the blaze.
Eaton – Burning in the northern parts of Los Angeles County, the Eaton fire is now 15% contained and has now scorched over 14,000 acres, according to authorities. More than 7,000 structures are damaged or destroyed according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone with 2,832 firefighting personnel are assigned to the Eaton Fire.
Palisades – This is the first fire to break out on Tuesday that has burned more than 20,000 acres in Los Angeles, including areas in Pacific Palisades, with 8% containment. Arson investigators are currently looking into the start of the fire.
Archer – Started in the Granada Hills area on Friday, consuming over 31 acres before containment.
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