The wildfire in the Palisades area remained uncontrolled on Saturday, despite firefighters’ intense efforts, and it continues to advance eastward toward the densely populated San Fernando Valley.
The death toll from the devastating wildfires in California rose to 16 overnight, local authorities reported, as cited by AFP and AP.
The Los Angeles County coroner’s office released a list of victims without revealing their identities. According to the report, five fatalities were found in the heavily affected Los Angeles neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, while 11 were discovered in the Pasadena area.
More than 180,000 people, including numerous Hollywood celebrities, have been forced to evacuate due to the widespread fires. The largest blaze has consumed approximately 9,500 hectares in Pacific Palisades, while another wildfire in Altadena, north of Los Angeles, has burned over 5,500 hectares.
According to AP, parts of Los Angeles now resemble war zones, with entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. Official estimates indicate that the fires have destroyed around 12,000 buildings and shelters.
The U.S. National Weather Service has warned that conditions favorable for wildfires are expected to persist at least through early next week. “This could lead to further expansion of ongoing fires as well as the emergence of new ones,” meteorologists stated.
