The death toll from the California wildfires has reached 16, as reported by the Los Angeles Medical Examiner.
Efforts are underway to contain the spreading blazes before strong winds return, potentially pushing the flames towards iconic city landmarks.
The Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s office confirmed five deaths in the Palisades Fire and 11 in the Eaton Fire.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has imposed a curfew in evacuated areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton wildfires from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. local time.
“Law enforcement will strictly enforce this curfew to ensure your safety and enable emergency personnel to work effectively,” the department stated. “Your safety is our top priority.”
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Prior to Saturday, the confirmed fatalities stood at 11, but officials anticipate the figure to rise as teams with cadaver dogs conduct systematic searches in leveled neighborhoods. An assistance center has been set up for reporting missing persons. Concerns are high that the fires may spread towards the J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles, while new evacuation warnings have left more homeowners on edge.
Firefighters watch as water is dropped on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
As of Saturday evening, the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst fires had burned approximately 62 square miles, larger than San Francisco. The Palisades and Eaton fires alone covered 59 square miles.
Officials estimate that at least 37,000 acres have been engulfed in flames.
In a Saturday evening online briefing, Michael Traum from the California Office of Emergency Services disclosed that 150,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders, with over 700 seeking refuge in shelters.
Crews from California and nine other states, comprising 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft, and over 14,000 personnel, including firefighters from Mexico, are part of the ongoing response.
With Cal Fire reporting containment of the Palisades Fire at 11% and the Eaton Fire at 15% on Saturday night, the battle continues.
“Weather conditions remain critical, and another bout of strong winds is expected to start on Monday,” Traum warned.
Kevin Marshall sifts through his mother’s fire-ravaged property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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As of Saturday, Altadena remains closed due to the Eaton Fire. Evacuation orders have been modified to warnings for certain areas in La Canada Flintridge. Ignoring evacuation orders puts lives at risk, and residents are advised to be prepared to leave if conditions worsen to ensure their safety.
Evacuation orders have been lifted for other areas in La Canada Flintridge, including residences within certain boundaries, as announced by the department.
In this photo provided by Maxar Technologies, the Palisades Fire burns south of the Encino Reservoir, upper left, in Los Angeles on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. (Maxar Technologies via AP)
Communities affected by the Eaton Fire were allowed to return as of 3 p.m. local time on Friday. Strict monitoring will be in place in repopulated and evacuated areas to safeguard residents and property.
All other closures and evacuations for the EATON FIRE remain in effect, as communicated by the department on Facebook.
The National Weather Service cautioned about the imminent return of strong Santa Ana winds, which have played a significant role in fanning the wildfires that have decimated entire neighborhoods in a region that has not seen substantial rainfall for over eight months. The blaze also posed a threat of crossing Interstate 405 into densely populated areas in the Hollywood Hills and San Fernando Valley.
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The fires, which began north of downtown LA on Tuesday, have destroyed over 12,000 structures. Progress was made by firefighters for the first time on Friday to contain the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena, consuming more than 7,000 structures. AccuWeather’s preliminary estimate indicates economic losses ranging from $135 billion to $150 billion.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
