The death toll in the Los Angeles fires rises to 24, with even more dangerous winds expected until at least Wednesday

The death toll from the raging fires in the city of Los Angeles, in the western United States, reached 24 people on Sunday, while officials warn of the arrival of dangerous winds that can increase the severity of the disaster.

Fires continued to ravage the second largest city in the United States for sixth day reducing entire communities to rubble in ashes and leaving thousands of people homeless.

The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Department published a list of fatalities without giving identities. Eight of the dead were found in the area of ​​the Palisades fire and 16 in the area of ​​the Eaton fire, according to the report.

The tireless efforts of firefighters have partially slowed the spread of the Palisades area fire, which was approaching the luxurious Brentwood and the densely populated San Fernando Valley.

However, conditions worsen with “extreme fire behavior and life-threatening conditions” over the next few days.

Los winds of up to 110 km/h cause a “particularly dangerous situation (PDS, in English)” that would be declared early Tuesday, said Rose Schoenfeld, of the National Weather Service (NWS).

These wind gusts could fan the flames and lift embers from existing burned areas into new areas, firefighters warned.

Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said his department received resources, including dozens of new tankers and firefighters from distant placesand that he was prepared to face the renewed threat.

When asked about whether hydrants could run out of water again, as they did in the initial outbreak of fires last week, Mayor Karen Brass responded: “I think the city is prepared.”

Meanwhile, frustration was mounting for the thousands of evacuees who authorities have told They will not be able to return to their homes before Thursday.

“It’s not going to happen until the red flag that’s in progress ends,” Marrone said when talking about the strong winds that are expected until at least Wednesday.

“Please be assured that the first thing on Thursday will be to start talking about return,” he added.

Some have stood in lines for hours hoping to return for medicine, clothing or their pets.

Search for bodies

Sheriff Robert Luna said escorts to these areas were suspended Sunday because of the dangerous conditions, as well as the need to recover the bodies of the victims.

In some areas, the fire turned houses into ashes and left traces of molten metal from burned cars.

The authorities carried out many more arrestsincluding a suspect disguised as a firefighter who intended to break in to steal.

The curfew in the evacuated areas has been extended and a greater presence and resources of the National Guard were required.

“I have to be there to protect my family, my wife, my kids, my mom, and I can’t even see them,” said Altadena resident Bobby Salman, 42.

“Fire Tornadoes”

The fire of Palisades has consumed 9,500 hectares and was only 11% containedwhile Eaton’s, in Altadena, covered some 5,700 hectares and was contained in a 27% of its perimeteraccording to authorities.

Video footage showed “fire tornadoes” that occur when a fire is so intense that it creates its own weather.

The total number of residents under evacuation orders is now about 100,000, after peaking at 180,000.

Official figures record more than 12,000 structures burnedbut Cal Fire’s Todd Hopkins said it wasn’t all homes, and the figure also included outbuildings, trailers and sheds.

The sudden avalanche of people who need a new place to live in the coming months may complicate the dynamics for the city’s tenants, who already did not have it easy.

“I’m back on the market with tens of thousands of people,” said Brian, a 69-year-old retiree whose rental apartment caught fire. “It doesn’t look good.”

California Governor Gavin Newsom promised that the city would rebuild and said that there would be a Plan Marshall, in reference to the United States’ support for Europe after World War II.

President-elect Donald Trump accused California authorities of incompetence.

“This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our country. They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

A heroic firefighting operation has been underway since the start of the flames and was reinforced on Sunday with the arrival of teams from Mexico.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also offered his country’s firefighters to “help save lives.”

Climate impact

Federal and local authorities are carrying out a great investigation to determine what caused the fires.

While the start of a wildfire can be deliberate, it is often natural and a vital part of the life cycle of an environment.

But urban sprawl is putting people at risk more often, and climate change is exacerbating the conditions that lead to destructive fires.