Firefighters took advantage of a short break in strong winds to put out the fire. However, the wind that fueled the fire is returning.
The number of victims of a massive fire in the suburbs of Los Angeles is 24 people, but local authorities predict that more will happen. The fire, which almost completely destroyed the Pacific Palisades area, has not yet subsided, Reuters reports.
Firefighting aircraft are dropping water and fire retardants on the steep hillside to stop the fire from spreading east into the Palisades. Ground crews were able to save several houses.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said he expects the death toll to rise.
“I sent search and rescue teams. We have dogs to find bodies, and there are probably more,” he told NBC.
Newsom said the fires are likely the worst natural disaster in US history “just in terms of the costs associated with them.”
According to rescuers, 12 thousand buildings were damaged or destroyed by the fires. By Sunday, more than 100,000 people in Los Angeles County had been ordered to evacuate and another 87,000 had received evacuation warnings.
The Pacific Palisades fire has spread another 1,000 acres (400 hectares) in the past 24 hours, consuming more homes. Although 11% of the fire in the area has been contained, it has burned more than 22,000 hectares (8,900 acres), firefighters said.
In particular, the fire has spread to Mandeville Canyon, the San Fernando Valley and threatens to spread to Brentwood, an elite area that is home to many celebrities. The fire also approached the north-south 405 Freeway.
Because of the strong winds, the fire is still a threat of growth.
We remind you that the day before it was reported that 16 were killed and 13 were missing.
On Sunday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was ready to help the United States put out fires in California. 150 of our rescuers are ready to help.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.