Wildfires death toll rises to 24 as L.A. area faces fresh threats

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Axios

Updated 6 hours ago


Los Angeles County is facing "critical fire conditions" after firefighters have for days battled deadly wildfires that have razed entire neighborhoods, and the situation is expected to worsen this week.

Threat level: The National Weather Service issued a rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Red Flag Warning that's due to start early Tuesday into Wednesday for parts of L.A. County and Ventura County, warning that winds will be high enough to cause "explosive fire growth.

The areas under this warning do not include the Eaton Fire, but do include western Santa Monica, Simi Valley, Porter Ranch, Ventura and other parts of the hard hit region.

The winds will not be as strong as the previous event but strong enough to meet the high-end criteria.

The big picture: The death toll rose to at least 24, per the L.A. County medical examiner's Sunday evening update. Another 16 have been reported as missing, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said during a Sunday briefing.

More than 100,000 residents remain under evacuation orders and over 12,000 structures have been destroyed.

Situation report: The Kenneth, Sunset and Lidia fires have been 100% contained, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a Sunday update.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/01/12/la-fires-death-toll-updates