The death toll from wildfires in the Los Angeles area rose to 24. Sixteen people were killed in the Eaton fire and eight in the Palisades fire, according to the Los Angeles County coroner.
Fires continue to rage in Los Angeles, with attention turning to meteorologists' warnings of an increase in strong winds from Sunday night (local time, Monday morning Greek time).
Authorities say they are prepared for the impending wind event, which will put all of Los Angeles County under fire threat.
At least 16 people were missing, with rescue crews now giving priority to retrieving remains to areas where it is safe to return.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said dogs were helping 40 search and rescue teams clear damaged neighborhoods, and he feared the death toll could rise as house-to-house searches were conducted.
Earlier today, new fires began to reignite in the rugged terrain of the Angeles National Forest, but crews were able to contain the flames.
That's not the only progress firefighters have made today, they have fully contained the Kenneth fire and the Hearst fire is almost fully contained – but two fires are still raging.
The two largest fires, the Palisades and Eaton, now cover a total of 38.000 acres and are 11% and 27% contained, respectively. The Hurst Fire has been reduced to 799 acres and is 89% contained.
The Palisades and Eaton fires continue to burn, with 105.000 people under evacuation orders. For those who have already moved out, they are anxiously awaiting the announcement that it is safe for them to return to their homes. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony S. Marone said efforts to begin bringing people from evacuation zones back to their communities would begin Thursday.
Trump's new attack on the Democrats
Donald Trump on Sunday launched a fresh verbal attack on California's Democratic leaders, accusing them of incompetence in handling the devastating fires in Los Angeles, with the governor responding by inviting him to go there.
"The fires are still raging in L.A. Incompetent politicians have no idea how to put them out," the Republican, who will be re-sworn in as president in a week, said via Truth Social.
"This is one of the worst disasters in our country's history. They just can't put out the fires. What is wrong with them?" he added.
"I'm looking forward to him coming here," countered California Gov. Gavin Newsom during an interview with NBC News yesterday.
For days now Mr. Newsom, 57, considered a promising Democratic operative, is calling on Donald Trump to come to Los Angeles to see for himself the damage and efforts being made to extinguish the devastating fires.
The Republican has called for the governor to resign and last week spread misinformation, claiming in particular that California is facing water shortages because of Democrats' environmental protection policies and the waste of rainwater to protect "junk fish."
In fact, the largest amount of water resources consumed in Los Angeles comes from the Colorado River; it is primarily used to irrigate crops.
"I don't think inaccurate and false information is helping us," and "if I took the time to respond to Donald Trump's insults, which I'm used to, it would take me a month," Gavin Newsom said scathingly yesterday.
The speed with which the flames spread and their intensity, exacerbated by strong winds, severely tested the firefighting system; the disaster raised questions and severe criticism of the state's preparedness apparatus. Lack of water in places further hampered efforts to control the fires.
Air quality concern
Health officials are "very concerned" about air quality in Los Angeles County, as particulate matter from wildfire smoke poses several short- and long-term health risks, according to the head of Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.
Los Angeles County has declared a countywide public health emergency due to poor air quality as smoke and ash from wildfires blanket the area.
"We're all exposed to wildfire smoke, which is a mixture of fine particles, gases and vaporized water," said Anis Mahajan, of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, during a press conference.
"It's these tiny particles that get into our nose and throat and cause sore throats and headaches," he continued.
"In areas where smoke is visible or where the smell of smoke is strong, even where you can't see it, we know the air quality is poor, so you should limit any exposure to the outside as much as possible," he added. Dr. Mahajan.
National Guard members increased – 29 arrests
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that he will send 1.000 more National Guard members to Los Angeles to add to the 1.600 already in the area. Service members will help fight fires and assist in public safety efforts. The total number of people arrested during the Los Angeles wildfires has risen to about 29, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Sunday.
A curfew was imposed from 18:00 to 06:00 (local time) in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas yesterday in the face of looting that multiplied in fire-prone areas and neighborhoods where citizens were ordered to evacuate.
Met Office: 'Very hazardous' weather conditions
Fire weather conditions are expected to continue into the coming week in Southern California as firefighters work to battle ongoing fires, according to the National Weather Service.
"Very dangerous fire weather continues in areas of southern California where fires are ongoing," a post from the Storm Prediction Center read.
The situation on Sunday
Four are the active and most dangerous fronts currently in the greater Los Angeles area. Two are the most dangerous while two others are controlled to a large extent. About 10 have been checked in the last few days almost completely.
In particular, it is the front in Palisades that erupted on Tuesday and is the largest in the region. It has burned more than 38.000 acres. By noon on Sunday (local time, late evening in Greece) it had been reduced by 11%. The fire has spread to the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and is threatening Brentwood, a neighborhood with expensive mansions where many rich and famous live.
The front in Eaton, north of Los Angeles, has engulfed the town of Altadena and is only 27% contained.
Two smaller fronts are the one in Hurst, which has burned about 800 acres, and the one in Kenneth, which has burned over 1.000 acres. Both are controlled at 89% to 99%.
Fire statistics show that 40.000 acres burned in the first 10 days of 2025.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection released the latest wildfire statistics, stressing that the numbers "underscore the urgent need to prepare."
Source: protothema.gr
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