Deadly Wildfires Rage in Los Angeles as High Winds Threaten New Blazes

LOS ANGELES — Firefighters battled relentless wildfires across Los Angeles County on Monday, as officials warned of another round of dangerous winds expected to heighten fire risks. The blazes, which have killed at least 25 people and destroyed thousands of structures, remain only partially contained despite recent progress.

“We are not in the clear as of yet, and we must not let our guard down,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said during a news conference. The National Weather Service issued a “particularly dangerous situation” warning for Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with wind gusts predicted to reach up to 70 mph starting Tuesday.

The Palisades fire has burned more than 23,700 acres and is 14% contained, while the Eaton fire has scorched over 14,100 acres and is 33% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Both fires have left a trail of devastation, with 1,902 structures confirmed destroyed in the Eaton fire alone, and an estimated 7,000 structures damaged or destroyed across both blazes.

Mexican firefighters and emergency personnel arrived Saturday to assist, joining thousands of local and federal responders. President Joe Biden announced the deployment of additional federal resources, including aircraft, to support firefighting efforts.

About 92,000 people remain under evacuation orders, with another 89,000 in areas under evacuation warnings. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna confirmed 25 deaths so far, including 17 in the Eaton fire and eight in the Palisades fire. Search and recovery operations continue, with 29 people still reported missing.

“Unfortunately, every day we’re doing this, we’re running across the remains of individual community members,” Luna said. The fires are among the deadliest in California’s modern history, trailing only the 2018 Camp fire, which killed 85 people.

Officials are bracing for the worst as high winds threaten to reignite the blazes. “The National Weather Service is predicting close to hurricane-force-level winds, and so we’re making urgent preparations,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said. “My top priority is to do everything we can to protect lives.”

Firefighters have reinforced control lines, cleared dry brush, and pre-positioned resources in high-risk areas. However, the forecasted winds could ground firefighting aircraft, complicating containment efforts.

Authorities are also investigating the causes of the fires. Southern California Edison has denied responsibility for the Eaton fire, despite early reports linking it to electrical equipment. The Palisades fire is suspected to have human origins, though no definitive cause has been determined.

As Southern California faces its fourth “particularly dangerous situation” warning since autumn, officials urge residents to remain vigilant. “These next few days are crucial in our fighting of the existing fires and also preventing any new fires,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger.