The death toll rose to 24 on Sunday in the wake of the devastating wildfires ravaging the US state of California.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office said they are investigating at least two dozen deaths related to two massive wildfires that have been raging in Southern California since last Tuesday.
Officials said 16 deaths were attributed to the Eaton fire and eight were linked to the Palisades fire. Those numbers are expected to rise, as the medical examiner said they cannot confirm human remains until they are processed at their facility.
More than 150,000 residents have been evacuated, with another 87,000 in evacuation warning zones. More than 12,000 homes and businesses have been burned to the ground, with the wildfires so far scorching over 60 square miles (155 square kilometers).
“Initial aerial assessments estimate 5,316 structures for the Palisades Fire and over 7,000 structures destroyed from the Eaton Fire,” the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) said in a statement.
“These initial numbers make the Eaton and Palisades fires likely the second and fourth most destructive fires in California’s history respectively,” it added.
Firefighters continue to battle the destructive blazes, which have been fueled by continued heavy winds in the region with wind gusts between 30 to 70 miles (48 to 112 kilometers) per hour. Because of those dangerous conditions, a fire warning remains in effect until Wednesday and evacuation orders have been extended until at least Thursday. Dusk to dawn curfews also remain in effect as police crack down on looting in the area.
“We’re not out of the woods yet. We have some very significant fire weather ahead of us,” said Nancy Ward, director of the California Office of Emergency Services, at a news conference.
“We need to provide the people and the first responders in Southern California the support that they need,” Ward continued.
“We’ve prepositioned additional engines, fire crews, helicopters, bulldozers, water tenders (tankers) across all of southern California, in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County and San Diego County, all poised to assist and support the additional fire threat.”
The manpower being used to fight the fires is staggering: 14,000 emergency personnel, 1,300 fire engines and 84 aircraft have been deployed from nine states, including California, as well as crews from Canada and Mexico. California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he is deploying another 1,000 members of the California National Guard to help fight the wildfires.
President Joe Biden has already approved a major disaster declaration for the state to provide financial assistance for cleanup and rebuilding, with early estimates putting the cost of damage from the wildfires to reach at least $10 billion.
Humanitarian groups and nonprofit organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank have already begun assistance efforts for displaced residents, providing food, water, shelter and living supplies for those who have been affected by the deadly blazes.
