Multiple wildfires continue to devastate Los Angeles County for a sixth day, with officials warning of catastrophic Santa Ana winds reaching up to 110 mph that could further intensify the blazes through early next week. The largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, expanded by another 400 hectares in the last 24 hours and has now burned 23,654 acres with only 11% containment as it pushes inland toward Brentwood and Mandeville Canyon, threatening communities near the Getty Center and UCLA. The fire is also approaching Interstate 405, a major transportation artery.
More than 153,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders, with another 166,000 on alert to potentially evacuate as firefighters battle four major fires across the region.
The Palisades Fire threatens multiple upscale neighborhoods including Brentwood, Encino, and Bel Air, while the Eaton Fire in Altadena has consumed 14,117 acres with 15% containment. Officials say 57,000 structures remain at risk, with catastrophic property damage already reported in Pacific Palisades, where returning residents found only chimneys and ash remaining of their homes.
At least 16 deaths have been confirmed and 13 people remain missing, as many areas are still too dangerous to search. The fires have damaged or destroyed 12,000 structures, marking this as the most destructive wildfire event in Los Angeles history. Among the devastation are deeply personal tragedies - including one Palisades couple who lost their home and with it, the ashes of their late infant daughter.
President Joe Biden has declared a federal disaster, authorizing FEMA to cover 100% of initial response costs. FEMA representatives are stationed at the Pasadena Convention Center helping residents apply for aid covering home repairs, food, and medication losses. California's Insurance Commissioner has called on insurance companies to freeze policy cancellations and extend payment periods for affected residents. Meanwhile, LA County officials have invited President-elect Donald Trump to survey the damage firsthand.
Aerial firefighting operations intensified Saturday, with aircraft dropping water and fire retardants over steep western Los Angeles hills. While crews made some progress, the National Weather Service warns that critical fire conditions will persist through Wednesday, with wind events expected to peak between Saturday night and Sunday morning, and again Monday night through Tuesday. The fires have also triggered a health emergency due to toxic smoke containing metals and synthetic materials from burning structures.
Support has arrived from seven neighboring states, Canada, and Mexico as crews work around the clock, though authorities are also dealing with looting in evacuation zones. The combined fires have scorched over 145 square kilometers, with economic impacts potentially reaching $150 billion. Power outages initially affecting 500,000 customers have been reduced to 50,000, according to Southern California Edison CEO Steven Powell. Federal investigators from the ATF are now leading a task force to determine the causes of these historic blazes, which show little sign of containment as the region braces for worsening conditions.
Kikar HaShabbat and CBN contributed to this article.
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