The California wildfires have tragically entered their fifth consecutive day, with the official death toll rising to 11 according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner as of Friday.
This number is expected to increase as cadaver dogs assess the extensive damage in an area larger than San Francisco.
The situation remains precarious, with the Palisades Fire only 8% contained and the Eaton Fire only 3% contained, as reported by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Over 12,300 homes and buildings have been destroyed, leading to fresh evacuations in Mandeville Canyon and on the Interstate 405 freeway after flare-ups on the eastern flank of the Palisades Fire.
Firefighters work near a burning structure in Pacific Palisades, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2025.
(Jason Ryan/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
POWER GRID FAULTS SURGED RIGHT BEFORE LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES BEGAN: EXPERT
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna likened the disaster to an atomic bomb blast but assured the community that they would recover.
AccuWeather, a private weather data provider, has raised its estimate of the damage and economic loss to $135-$150 billion.
As of now, no official cause of the wildfires has been determined.
Whisker Labs, a company that monitors electrical activity, reported a surge in faults along the Los Angeles power grid in areas where major wildfires are currently burning.
“Faults are caused by tree limbs touching wires or wires coming in contact due to the wind. This can create a spark that leads to a fault,” explained Bob Marshall, the CEO of Whisker Labs.
WATCH: Los Angeles power grid faults spiked before wildfires started, expert says
There has been a slight decrease in the strong Santa Ana winds on Friday, which had been fueling the flames.
However, Fire Weather Watches have been issued for Saturday evening into Sunday as stronger Santa Ana winds are expected, according to FOX Weather reports.
Firefighters are working tirelessly to combat the blaze, using helicopters and aircraft to tackle the flames. The winds also pose risks to flight crews navigating the rugged terrain.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has deployed the National Guard to assist in law enforcement efforts, bringing the total number of personnel on the ground to 8,000.
More than 600 Guardsmen are currently aiding local authorities, with additional military service members on standby.
“Currently, over 600 California National Guardsmen are activated, including 14 hand crews for fuel mitigation, 200 military police for security operations, and 10 helicopters for firefighting and search and rescue operations,” Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh informed reporters.
In parts of Los Angeles, residents are returning to their neighborhoods while facing the threat of new fires.
Water is dropped by helicopter on the burning Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills section of Los Angeles, on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
(AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
Bridget Berg, who witnessed her house in Altadena burning on TV while at work, returned with her family two days later to assess the damage and salvage some belongings.
Her children searched through the debris for keepsakes as they lamented the loss of their home along with many others in the area.
Looting has become a concern, with Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman warning looters of consequences and law enforcement making arrests to prevent further theft.
HELP PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES HERE
Private security firms are also facing challenges meeting the demand as residents and properties remain vulnerable to both fires and looting.
A curfew has been implemented in mandatory evacuation areas affected by the wildfires to ensure safety.
People watch the smoke and flames from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Jan. 7, 2025, in Los Angeles.
(Tiffany Rose/Getty Images)
