Firefighters are bracing for the the return of fierce Santa Ana winds which are expected to fan the flames of wildfires raging across southern California, as the death toll climbs to at least 24 people.
The National Weather service warned of a “particularly dangerous situation” on Sunday evening and, although peak winds will be weaker than last week, they will be “strong enough to potentially cause explosive fire growth”. The agency anticipates gusts of up to 70mph in mountainous regions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said 70 additional water trucks have been deployed to help firefighters fend off blazes spread by renewed gusts.
As of Monday morning, the fires have scorched more than 40,000 acres, including more than 23,000 acres across the Pacific Palisades and along the Pacific Coast Highway. Only 13 percent of the Palisades fire has been contained. The Eaton fire has burned more than 14,000 acres in Altadena and Pasadena and is 27 percent contained.
California Governor Gavin Newsom described the Los Angeles wildfires as the worst disaster in U.S. history during Sunday’s appearance on NBC’s meet the press.
California governor accuses Musk of ‘encouraging looting’ with misleading LA fires claim
California governor Gavin Newsom has accused Elon Musk of “encouraging looting” after the billionaire shared posts on his social media platform X that claimed the politician had “decriminalised” it.
“Stop encouraging looting by lying and telling people it’s decriminalized. It’s not,” Mr Newsom wrote on X, replying to one of the billionaire’s retweets.
“It’s illegal — as it always has been. Bad actors will be arrested and prosecuted.”
Stuti Mishra13 January 2025 10:30
In pictures: Crews sift for hot spots in fire-ravaged Malibu
James Liddell13 January 2025 09:59
Man disguised as firefighter arrested for ‘robbing homes’
A man who is believd to have disguised himself as a firefighter was arrested adfter allegedly looting a home near fire-ravaged Malibu, officials confirmed on Sunday.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said deputies stopped the suspect in the Palisades Fire evacuation zone.
“I saw a gentleman that looked like a firefighter, and I asked him if he was okay, because he was sitting down,” Luna told reporters. “I didn’t realize we had him in handcuffs. We were turning him over… because he was dressed like a fireman and he was not.
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jim McDonnell shared his disdain over those looking to take advantage of locals adhering to advice due to the wildfires.
“We have people who will go to all ends to do what it is they want to do to exploit the victims of this tragedy,” he said.
James Liddell13 January 2025 09:27
Iconic $125m ‘Succession’ mansion destroyed in Palisades wildfire
A luxury mansion worth $125m featured in HBO’s Emmy Award-winning series Succession has been destroyed by the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles.
The San Onofre estate, located in the Pacific Palisades area near Topanga, was purchased in 2021 by Luminar Technologies founder and CEO Austin Russell for $83 million.
Photos reported by The Daily Mail show the once-lavish 20,000 sq ft property – known for its six bedrooms, 18 bathrooms, and $450,000 monthly rental price – reduced to little more than rubble.
Stuti Mishra13 January 2025 07:30
Watch: Pope Francis prays for victims of Los Angeles wildfires
Ariana Baio13 January 2025 07:00
LA fire chief says crews are ready ahead of ‘critical fire weather’
The California Department chief said the crews were ready ahead of the “critical fire weather”.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C Marrone said 70 additional water trucks arrived to help firefighters fend off flames spread by renewed gusts.“We are prepared for the upcoming wind event,” Mr Marrone said.
Fire retardant dropped by aircraft on Sunday will act as a barrier along hillsides, officials said.In the meantime, LA city Fire Chief Kristin Crowley urged people to stay away from scorched neighbourhoods.
“There are still active fires that are burning within the Palisades area, making it extremely, extremely dangerous for the public,” Ms Crowley said at a Sunday morning briefing.
“There’s no power, there’s no water, there’s broken gas lines, and we have unstable structures.”
Stuti Mishra13 January 2025 06:30
