The ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles have claimed at least 24 lives, the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner said on Sunday.
The majority of fatalities have been recorded in the Palisades and Eaton fire zones, the document released by the authorities said. Eight of the dead were found in the Palisades Fire zone, and 16 in the Eaton Fire zone.
According to an NBC news report, the fires have ripped through vast areas, burning 40,000 acres and destroying over 12,300 structures. As flames rage on, evacuation orders have been expanded, affecting hundreds of thousands of residents in LA County.
The largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, remains only 11% contained and poses a serious threat to communities like Brentwood, Encino, and Westwood. As of Sunday, evacuation orders are in place for 105,000 people, with another 87,000 in zones under evacuation warning, prepared to leave if conditions worsen, the report says.
Local authorities have declared a public health emergency, warning that the smoke and particulate matter from the fires could have long-term health effects.
The strong Santa Ana winds, which fuel the fires, are expected to intensify, further complicating the situation. Gusts of up to 70 mph are anticipated in the mountains, increasing the risk of the fire spreading.
With the fires still burning out of control, residents, officials, and emergency services are on high alert, hoping to contain the blazes before they cause more widespread damage and loss of life.
