The fires in Los Angeles that have already left 25 dead begin to subside while authorities combat looting

There are always people who take advantage of tragedies to profit from criminal activities. We saw it in Spain in the DANA and now it’s happening in USA where the fires in Los Angeles They began to give way this Wednesday and firefighters are making progress in containing two of the most devastating outbreaks, while the authorities face the looting, Efe reports.

This Wednesday, the red alert for fires has expired in a large part of the counties of Los Angeles and Venturabut strong winds are expected to persist until Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

So far the death toll from this catastrophe is 25 people, and according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff, Robert Luna there are still 26 people missing, 20 in the Eaton area, and six in the Palisades area.

He at the burning of Eaton located in Altadena, has managed to be 45% contained according to the California Fire Department (Cal Fire), thus achieving a 10% progress compared to Tuesday. Eaton has been one of the deadliest outbreaks, destroying more than 4,600 structures and leaving another 500 damaged. However, authorities warn that these numbers could continue to increase.

He palisades fire It has been contained by 21% and so far it has been confirmed that at least 1,280 structures have been razed and more than 200 have been affected in the nearly 9,600 hectares burned.

Likewise, the car fire which grew to more than 24 hectares (61 acres) in Ventura County, was 85% contained this Wednesday and firefighters were able to stop a fire in Ventura County. San Bernardino, which managed to burn 12 hectares (30 acres).

Strong hand with looters

Sheriff Luna reported this Wednesday that they have arrested 44 suspicious people in the affected areas of Eaton (36) and Palisades (8) and assured that the curfew in the evacuation areas remained in force.

“If you don’t belong there, you don’t live there, stay out of the place. There is no reason for you to be there, and you will be subject to arrest if you are there without anything to do,” Luna said.

At least 14 of those 44 arrests are related to robberies, while the rest of the arrests have been for curfew violations, trespassing and possession of narcotics or weapons, according to the report.

The district attorney, Nathan Hochman warned that people who try to take advantage of the tragedy for personal gain will be harshly punished.

Arrests for looting could be punishable by 6 to 9 years in prison or even a possible maximum sentence of life in prison.

In light of unjustified price increases on rent or services during this crisis, Hochman said those who do so will be “publicly shamed” and will face both criminal and civil penalties.

“If we discover that you have price gouged and you have not taken any action to remedy the violation that you have committed, you have basically enacted it. We will act and bring you to justice to the fullest extent of the law,” Hochman said.