California wildfires: Death toll rises to 24 as catastrophic Palisades Fire grows, Santa Ana winds return
LOS ANGELES – Catastrophic wildfires continue to rage across the Los Angeles region despite the heroic efforts by firefighters from around the world who have been working around the clock to suppress the inferno.
Thousands of firefighters, both on the ground and in the air, took advantage of improved weather conditions at the start of the weekend to make progress on the firefight.
However, dangerous Santa Ana winds are expected to return to the region this week, which could lead to the rapid spread and erratic behavior of any new or existing wildfires.
Six major wildfires have consumed more than 43,000 acres and destroyed at least 12,000 structures, with officials paying close attention to the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have caused most of the destruction.
"Unfortunately, we have confirmed 14 deaths, and that is in our specific L.A. County jurisdiction," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said during a Sunday morning news conference. "Eleven at the Eaton Fire, and three in our portion, or our jurisdiction in the Palisades Fire. So, when you hear the coroner, our partners at the coroner, reporting numbers, that’s a little bit different."
As of Saturday night, the County of Los Angeles Department of the Medical Examiner reported at least 24 deaths countywide as a result of the wildfires.
During Sunday morning's news conference, officials said K9s and cadaver dogs would be brought into areas that were destroyed by the fires to search for more victims.
There have also been several people reported missing.
"Missing persons, I cannot emphasize, because I am getting texts and calls. If you believe somebody is missing, please report it to your local law enforcement agency," Luna said. "Right now, with the Sheriff’s Department, we have 16 missing person reports. We have 12 in Eaton and four in Palisades. If there’s any good news – there’s no juveniles that are missing within those numbers."
That number is expected to rise.
"I know just coming here this morning, it sounds like, we just got dozens and dozens more," Luna said.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation told FOX Weather the agency stands at the ready to aid local authorities if requests should arise.
BEFORE & AFTER: IMAGES REVEAL SCOPE OF CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE FROM DEADLY WILDFIRES
"Thanks to the incredible work of our first responders and emergency personnel, we’re throwing everything at our disposal – including our National Guard service members – to protect communities in the days to come," California Gov. Gavin Newsom said. "And to those who would seek to take advantage of evacuated communities, let me be clear: Looting will not be tolerated."
The National Weather Service in Oxnard issued a Fire Weather Warning through at least Wednesday, with Monday and Tuesday potentially seeing the most hazardous weather.
Meteorologists expected periods of northeasterly winds of 15-30 mph with gusts to 50-70 mph to develop in the regions of the San Gabriel, Santa Susana and the western Santa Monica Mountains.
Additionally, daytime humidity values were expected to drop to 10-20%, which can make vegetation more susceptible to catching fire and burning more quickly.
"Severe weather is expected, especially Monday through Wednesday," said Nancy Ward, director of the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. "In anticipation, we have surged even more resources that are poised and continued to be brought to the fight. I urge the people of Southern California to be vigilant and prepared for more high-risk fire weather ahead."
Estimated structures lost: 5,300
Acreage: 23,713 (11% containment)
Cause: Under investigation
Helicopters flying around the Palisades Fire captured stunning videos of "firenadoes" spinning through uninhabited areas northwest of Los Angeles on Friday.
A wind shift during the early weekend allowed firefighters to conduct hundreds of water drops, which appeared to slow the fire's forward progress. Both public and privately hired firefighters were in structure protection mode around neighbors in Mandeville Canyon as the flames approached several residences.
FOX Weather's Robert Ray was near the front lines and witnessed one home go up in flames despite firefighters’ best efforts.
Watch: Eerie ‘Firenado’ Spins Up Amid California’s Destructive Palisades Wildfire
The Palisades Fire is the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles’ history, far surpassing historical events.
Authorities say they have been hindered in their search for victims by spot fires, downed power lines and gas leaks.
Illegally flown drones have caused problems within the perimeter of the Palisades Fire. A firefighting aircraft collided with a drone on Thursday, forcing the plane to be grounded due to damage.
Arrests have also been made. At a news conference on Sunday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said a man was arrested Saturday night after he was caught impersonating a firefighter.
"When I was out there in the Malibu area, I saw a gentleman that looked like a firefighter," he said. "And I asked him if he was OK because he was sitting down. I didn't realize he was in handcuffs."
Luna said that police had caught him allegedly burglarizing a home.
Estimated structures damaged/destroyed: 7,081
Acreage: 14,117 (27% containment)
Cause: Under investigation
Officials said that firefighters continued tactical patrols and responded to several calls for service on Saturday night, but strong winds overnight contributed to active fire behavior with flareups.
"(Sunday), minimal fire growth is expected with continued smoldering and creeping," CAL FIRE said. "Burning structures and heavy fuels will continue to hold heat."
CAL FIRE said that in addition to fire perimeter control, crews will work to mitigate hazard trees along roads to provide safety for firefighters and the public.
A community meeting is expected to be held later Sunday to provide additional updates on the Eaton Fire.
Firefighting Aircraft Damaged After Collision With Drone Over Los Angeles’ Palisades Fire
Hundreds of National Guard members were deployed to try to prevent looting and keep members of the public out of the active fire zone.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said around two dozen arrests had been made around the Eaton Fire in connection with looting and curfew violations.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has reportedly taken the lead in investigating the exact cause of the fires in the greater Los Angeles area.
Fire officials say the Kenneth Fire, which was burning in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, is now fully contained.
That blaze broke out on Thursday afternoon and scorched more than 1,000 acres.
The cause of the Kenneth Fire remains under investigation, but according to a report from FOX 11 Los Angeles, it's being investigated as arson.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Fire Chief Kristin Crowley appeared to be in a public spat over whether recent budget cuts impacted firefighters’ abilities to fight recent fires.
In an interview with FOX 11 Los Angeles, Crowley sounded the alarm over $17 million cuts that have left the agency less prepared for emergencies.
"My message is the fire department needs to be properly funded," Crowley told FOX 11. "It’s not."
During previous news conferences, the mayor of Los Angeles was steadfast in saying that cuts did not play a significant role in the response to the disaster.
"I think if you go back and look at the reductions that were made, there were no reductions that were made that would have impacted the situation that we were dealing with over the last couple of days," Bass stated. "And then there was a little bit of confusion because money was allocated to be distributed later on, which was actually going to support salaries and other parts of the fire department that were distributed a little later."
The two are reported to have met in private with the mayor saying their differences will be worked out, but both are currently focused on fighting the fires and saving lives.
Both the mayor and the governor have pledged investigations into the disaster, aimed at identifying response shortfalls and potentially offering recommendations to prevent a recurrence.
Original article source: California wildfires: Death toll rises to 24 as catastrophic Palisades Fire grows, Santa Ana winds return
