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Search and rescue operations continue in Los Angeles County as firefighters battle two devastating wildfires, with more than 30 individuals still unaccounted for and a confirmed death toll of 27.
During a press conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna provided updates on the ongoing efforts, stating, “We continue to work with multiple partners, not only in the recovery of remains, but then ultimately the identification of the deceased and then the notification to the next of kin.” Luna emphasized that evacuation orders remained active to facilitate the search for additional victims.
The sheriff requested public patience, noting, “We have to hold for the right time and the right resources to process the scene correctly, and that’s going to take a little while. Please be patient with us.”
Death toll for fires π₯ is up to 27 in California pic.twitter.com/P05pA7iXpo
— Liz Wriston (@facetioussoup) January 16, 2025
While rescue teams have successfully located 12 individuals safe and sound, 31 missing persons cases persist. The majority of these cases are concentrated in the Eaton Fire zone, with several others in the Palisades area.
“Fire officials said the Eaton Fire has scorched an estimated 14,117 acres and is 55% contained as of Thursday. The Palisades Fire has consumed approximately 23,713 acres and is 22% contained.”
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department continues to disseminate information about missing persons through social media channels.
LA fire leaders begged for more resources π
LA leaders said no.
β’ 25 people dead
β’ $275 billion in damage
β’ 12,000 structures lost
β’ 200,000 people displaced https://t.co/JlHmAacLOY— Christopher Lochhead π΄ββ οΈ βπΌπ (@lochhead) January 16, 2025
Evacuated residents received notification Thursday that their return home would be delayed by at least a week. The delay stems from severe infrastructure damage, with officials reporting widespread destruction of essential utilities and the presence of toxic materials throughout the affected areas. Furthermore, authorities expressed concern about the potential for dangerous mudslides and landslips in the region.
Adding to the crisis, residents face additional worries about potential looters targeting their evacuated neighborhoods. In response to these security concerns, Los Angeles officials deployed California National Guard units on January 9. The Guard’s mission includes preventing looting and potential civil unrest while supporting emergency response teams in their ongoing efforts.