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Firefighters Battle Raging LA Wildfires Amid Fierce Winds; Death Toll Rises to 16

The fire is advancing eastward towards the Getty Center art museum and north into the densely populated San Fernando Valley

Firefighters in Los Angeles are facing a critical situation as they battle multiple wildfires exacerbated by strong winds.

As of January 12, 2025, the wildfires ravaging Southern California have escalated, with the death toll now reported at 16.

Here are the latest figures on the size and containment of the major fires:

  • Palisades fire: One of the most significant blazes, 23,654 acres burned, 11% contained
  • Eaton fire: 14,117 acres burned, 15% contained
  • Kenneth fire: 1,052 acres burned, 90% contained
  • Hurst fire: 799 acres burned, 76% contained

This fire continues to threaten residential areas, pushing eastward towards Brentwood and Encino, prompting mandatory evacuation orders for more than 180,000 residents.

The fire is advancing eastward towards the Getty Center art museum and north into the densely populated San Fernando Valley. 

Firefighting efforts are ongoing, with thousands of firefighters battling multiple wildfires fueled by severe Santa Ana winds that have reached gusts of up to 70 mph. These conditions have made containment efforts challenging, and the fires have destroyed or damaged over 13,400 structures across the region.

The National Weather Service has warned that critical fire-weather conditions will persist, with Santa Ana winds expected to intensify. These winds can reach speeds of up to 70 mph, further complicating firefighting efforts and increasing the risk of new fire outbreaks.

In response to the crisis, California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an independent investigation into issues such as water supply shortages for firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has warned of worsening conditions ahead, predicting that Santa Ana winds will intensify again in the coming days.

As reported, more than 180,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, with an additional 166,000 residents warned of potential evacuation. The fires have led to significant disruptions, including power outages affecting about 50,000 customers

On the other hand, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warned residents against venturing back to destroyed homes to sift through rubble for keepsakes.

“We have people driving up and around trying to get in just to look. Stay away,” Mr Luna said, urging people to abide by curfews.

Officials on Saturday warned that the ash can contain lead, arsenic, asbestos and other harmful materials.

“If you’re kicking that stuff up, you’re breathing it in,” said Chris Thomas, a spokesman for the unified incident command at the Palisades Fire who warned the material was “toxic”.

Residents will be allowed to return with protective gear after damage teams evaluate their properties, he added.

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