“LA Fires: Death Toll Hits 25, Shocking Update from Medical Examiner”
At least 25 people have died as wildfires, fueled by severe drought and strong winds, continue to devastate the Los Angeles area.
Firefighters Battle Expanding Blazes
Thousands of firefighters are battling wildfires across 45 square miles in densely populated Los Angeles County. Currently, 88,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders, with an additional 84,000 facing evacuation warnings.
Medical Examiner Updates Death Toll
The LA County Medical Examiner clarified Tuesday night that the death toll from the fires stands at 25. A previously reported 25th victim from the Eaton Fire was later determined to be non-human remains. However, an additional fatality from the Palisades Fire brought the total back to 25.
The Eaton Fire has claimed 16 lives, while nine victims are linked to the Palisades Fire.
Palisades Fire Sees Some Containment
The Palisades Fire, which has scorched 23,713 acres, is now 18% contained, according to Cal Fire.
As the fires continue to rage, officials urge residents to heed evacuation orders and remain vigilant.
Red Flag Warnings and Severe Fire Risks Through Wednesday
“Particularly Dangerous Situation” Alerts Issued
From 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT Wednesday, “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warnings are in effect as high winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation create extreme fire risks. Standard red flag warnings will remain in place until 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Winds will ease slightly Tuesday evening but are expected to intensify overnight and into Wednesday morning, with gusts reaching 45-70 mph. These conditions could spark new fires, spread existing ones, and bring down trees and power lines.
Air Quality Alerts Persist
Southern California remains under air quality alerts as dust and ash from the Palisades and Eaton fires pollute the air. Areas from Santa Monica and Los Angeles to Newport Beach and inland regions like San Bernardino are experiencing hazardous pollution levels. Poor air quality is forecasted to persist through Wednesday night.
Super Scooper Ready for Action After Repairs
The firefighting “super scooper” plane, damaged by a drone last week, has been repaired and is back in service as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, according to the LA County Fire Department.
Unprecedented Devastation Observed
LA City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and Mayor Karen Bass conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas, revealing the staggering scale and complexity of the destruction.
“The massive destruction is unimaginable until you see it,” said Bass, expressing solidarity with impacted families. After the tour, firefighters with decades of experience told her they’d “never seen destruction like this” or encountered winds of this magnitude.
Mayor Urges Preparedness
As fire risks remain high, Mayor Bass encouraged residents to support first responders by staying prepared and following all safety advisories.
Sheriff Warns of ‘Very Dangerous’ Next 24 Hours Amid High Winds
Evacuation Orders Could Save Lives
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna issued a stark warning about the next 24 hours, citing dangerously high winds that threaten to intensify wildfires across the Los Angeles area. Luna urged residents to follow evacuation orders, reminding the public that many who delayed evacuating last week suffered severe burns.
“We don’t want you to put your life or your loved ones at risk,” Luna emphasized.
The sheriff’s department is investigating 24 missing persons cases, all involving adults. Meanwhile, the LAPD reported 13 active cases, with two presumed fatalities. No additional remains were found during Monday’s search of the heavily impacted Altadena area.
Wind Gusts Reaching 72 mph
Powerful winds are sweeping across the region, with the strongest gust so far recorded at 72 mph in the western San Gabriel Mountains in northern LA County. Malibu Hills saw gusts of 50 mph, and winds are expected to spread into valleys and canyons by Tuesday afternoon.
A brief lull is anticipated Tuesday evening, but winds will regain strength Wednesday morning, continuing into the afternoon before tapering off Wednesday night into Thursday.
Red Flag Warnings for LA and Ventura Counties
A “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warning is in effect for western Los Angeles County and most of Ventura County starting at 4 a.m. Tuesday. Winds are forecasted to gust between 45-70 mph, with relative humidity plunging as low as 8%.
Gusts have already reached 67 mph in the West San Gabriel Mountains and 66 mph in the Central Ventura County Valley. The most intense winds are expected Tuesday morning and early afternoon, followed by another round Wednesday morning.
Residents are urged to stay vigilant, follow weather updates, and prioritize safety as these conditions persist.