Los Angeles Wildfires Kill 24, Destroy Over 12,000 Structures as Santa Ana Winds Return

Jan 13, 2025, 12:00 PM

The death toll from the wildfires raging in the Los Angeles area has risen to 24, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office. The Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire have devastated large areas, burning over 40,000 acres, destroying over 12,000 structures, and forcing more than 100,000 residents to evacuate. Officials warn that the number of fatalities could increase, with at least 16 people still reported missing. Firefighters are working to contain the blazes amid forecasts of the return of strong Santa Ana winds that could exacerbate the situation. California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that the fires could become the most devastating natural disaster in U.S. history, as the fires continue to burn through an area larger than San Francisco.