Among the fatalities, five were attributed to the Palisades Fire and 11 to the Eaton Fire. The previous death toll stood at 11, but authorities warned the number would likely increase as cadaver dogs continue searching devastated neighborhoods. Officials have set up a center for reporting missing persons.
Battling the Flames
Firefighters are racing against time to control the wildfires before strong Santa Ana winds return, potentially driving the flames toward iconic locations like the J. Paul Getty Museum and UCLA. Evacuation warnings have left more residents on edge.
In Mandeville Canyon, a community home to celebrities like Arnold Schwarzenegger, helicopters dumped water while firefighters on the ground worked to combat the blaze spreading down chaparral-covered hillsides. CalFire Operations Chief Christian Litz emphasized the urgency, saying the Palisades Fire near UCLA remained the primary focus.
“We need to be aggressive out there,” Litz said.
Light breezes fanned the flames Saturday, but the National Weather Service warned that stronger winds could reignite the infernos, which have already leveled neighborhoods.
Ongoing Evacuations and Destruction
The fires have burned approximately 56 square miles (145 square kilometers) — an area larger than San Francisco. Tens of thousands remain under evacuation orders, with new ones issued Friday after a flare-up on the eastern side of the Palisades Fire. Since igniting on Tuesday north of downtown LA, the fires have destroyed over 12,000 structures, including homes, businesses, and vehicles.
Search and Recovery Efforts
Systematic searches for victims continued Saturday, with cadaver dogs aiding in the grim task. Sheriff Robert Luna urged residents to respect curfews and avoid returning to affected areas prematurely.
“We have people driving around trying to get in just to look. Stay away,” Luna said.
Officials warned residents against sifting through rubble due to toxic ash containing lead, arsenic, and asbestos. Protective gear will be required when residents are eventually allowed back.
Volunteer and Donation Response
Donations poured into relief centers across the city, with some sites, like a YMCA in Koreatown and Santa Anita Park, overwhelmed by volunteers. Families displaced by the fires were seen sorting through donated items, with some describing the complete loss of their homes.
“Everything is gone,” said Jose Luis Godinez, whose family lost three houses in Altadena.
Leadership Under Fire
Accusations of leadership failures have emerged amid the crisis. Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered an investigation into why a major reservoir was out of service and why some fire hydrants ran dry. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley criticized city leadership for underfunding firefighting resources, saying, “When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there’s going to be water.”
Progress Against the Eaton Fire
Firefighters made significant progress Friday on the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena, which has burned over 7,000 structures. Many evacuation orders in the area have been lifted.
LA Mayor Karen Bass called the containment of smaller fires a small but crucial victory as the city faces one of its greatest crises in decades.
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