Wildfires in California Claim 24 Lives, Spread Across Los Angeles Area
At least 24 people have tragically lost their lives as wildfires continue to tear through the Los Angeles area in California. According to the city’s medical examiner, 16 of the fatalities are linked to the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, while the remaining eight are connected to the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades district. The fires, which have been raging since Tuesday, are among the most severe in the region’s history.
Officials are concerned that the death toll could rise as it may take days for emergency services to safely access all affected areas. With firefighting efforts ongoing, high winds are expected to exacerbate the situation in the coming days, making it one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history.
The U.S. weather service has warned that wind speeds could reach up to 110 kilometers per hour on Sunday, which, along with dry vegetation, will contribute to the rapid spread of both existing and new fires. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Cal Fire, has issued a warning for “critical fire weather” through Wednesday, highlighting the life-threatening conditions and urging residents to take precautionary measures.
As of now, over 12,300 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, and nearly 163 square kilometers of land have been consumed by the flames—an area nearly equivalent to the size of Washington D.C. California Governor Gavin Newsom described the wildfires as the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, considering both the scale and the economic toll. In response, Newsom signed an executive order temporarily suspending environmental regulations for homes and businesses destroyed by the fires.
