At least 24 people have lost their lives as wildfires continue to devastate the Los Angeles area in California, according to the city’s medical examiner on Sunday.
Of the fatalities, 16 were linked to the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, while the remaining eight were connected to the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades district.
Since Tuesday, the region has experienced several major fires, with the Eaton and Palisades fires being the most destructive.
Authorities fear the death toll could rise further as it may take days for emergency teams to safely access all affected areas.
Firefighters are bracing for strong winds in the coming days, which officials warn could worsen what is already shaping up to be one of the most severe natural disasters in U.S. history.
The U.S. weather service has predicted wind speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour on Sunday. Combined with dry vegetation, these conditions could cause rapid and unpredictable fire spread.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has issued warnings of “critical fire weather” persisting through Wednesday.
“Life-threatening winds and dangerously low humidity are expected across much of Southern California – from Ventura to San Diego – posing a significant risk of rapid fire spread,” the department said on X.
Cal Fire urged residents to take precautions, such as avoiding mowing lawns, refraining from parking vehicles on dry grass, and ensuring campfires are fully extinguished.
According to officials, approximately 12,300 buildings have been destroyed or damaged, with nearly 163 square kilometers of land scorched since Tuesday – an area nearly the size of Washington D.C.
California Governor Gavin Newsom described the wildfires as potentially the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, considering the “scale and scope” as well as the financial costs.
Speaking to NBC, Newsom announced an executive order temporarily suspending environmental regulations to expedite recovery efforts for destroyed homes and businesses.