US media reports say firefighters are in a critical stage of their six-day battle against deadly Los Angeles wildfires.
CNN reported today that crews report progress across the county, but officials say the fire threat will remain “very high” as dangerous Santa Ana winds return early this week.
Meanwhile Al Jazeera, citing officials, says the wildfires raging in the city of Los Angeles have killed at least 24 people, as firefighters raced to put out the blazes before the return of strong winds that could fuel the flames again.
The blazes burned for a sixth straight day on Sunday, reducing whole neighborhoods to smoldering ruins, levelling homes and leaving an apocalyptic landscape.
More than 100,000 people have reportedly been forced to evacuate, while12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed.
According to the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office, the 24 deaths included eight from the fires in the Palisades on the western side of the town. The remaining 16 died in the Eaton Fire in the foothills east of Los Angeles, the office said.
According to Al Jazeera, Robert Luna, the Los Angeles County sheriff, said 12 people were missing within the Eaton Fire zone and four from the Palisades Fire. He said that are no children among those reported missing.
CNN cited Cal Fire spokesperson Brice Benett as saying yesterday that more than 40,300 acres across California have been burned by 105 fires in the first 11 days of the year.
Private forecaster AccuWeather has meanwhile estimated the damage and economic loss at US$135 billion to US$150 billion.
AccuWeather says forecasters warn that another blustery setup can develop from Monday to Wednesday across parts of Southern California, providing little relief for those battling the ongoing blazes.
Following the devastating fires that expanded across areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties over the last week and resulted in multiple fatalities, AccuWeather forecasters warn that another round of dangerous Santa Ana winds are expected early this week.
