Firefighters in Los Angeles continued battling massive wildfires on Saturday night, with winds intensifying the flames and pushing the fire towards untouched areas. The blazes have now claimed at least 16 lives and caused widespread destruction across neighborhoods.
Despite ongoing firefighting efforts, including aerial water drops, the Palisades Fire continued to expand, threatening the Getty Center and moving towards the densely populated San Fernando Valley. “Every time they drop water, it gets better, but then it gets worse again,” said Sarah Cohen, a resident of Tarzana.
The National Weather Service warned of critical fire conditions continuing through the coming week, which could lead to the spread of current fires and the emergence of new ones. The Palisades Fire was 11% contained by Saturday and had scorched 23,600 acres, while the Eaton Fire, 15% contained, had burned 14,000 acres.
More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed, though not all were homes, as the figure includes outbuildings and recreational vehicles. The influx of displaced residents is expected to place further strain on the city’s rental market.
Amid reports of looting and a curfew, police and National Guard forces have set up checkpoints to secure disaster zones. Despite reports of internal tensions, city officials, including Mayor Karen Bass, maintained a unified stance in addressing the crisis.
Rescue teams, including cadaver dogs, continue searching the rubble for missing persons, and officials fear the death toll may rise. The FBI and ATF have launched an investigation into the cause of the fires, with Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna pledging to leave no stone unturned in determining whether the fires were intentionally set.
While wildfires can occur naturally, urban expansion and climate change have increased the frequency and intensity of such disasters, putting more lives and property at risk.
