Intense wildfires continue to burn across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, prompting widespread evacuations and a public health emergency declaration. The largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, has scorched over 23,000 acres and remains 14% contained, posing a significant threat to communities. Authorities are working tirelessly to combat the blazes, provide assistance to those affected, and investigate criminal activity linked to the fires.
Wildfires continue to rage across parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, forcing thousands to evacuate and prompting a public health emergency. The largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, has scorched over 23,000 acres and is only 14% contained, threatening communities like Brentwood, Encino, and Westwood. Evacuation orders are in place for 92,000 residents of Los Angeles County, while another 89,000 are under evacuation warnings.
Los Angeles County has declared a public health emergency, citing the immediate and long-term health risks posed by smoke and particulate matter. A county emergency proclamation, set to be ratified at a board meeting, aims to streamline the provision of resources and facilitate the receipt of state and federal assistance. At the same time, the state legislature is extending its special session to allocate $1 billion for FEMA response, school rebuilding, cleanup, and recovery efforts, along with $1.5 billion to bolster state preparedness.As of this morning, 88,000 residents remain under evacuation orders and 84,800 are under warnings across Los Angeles County, showing a decrease from previous days. The tragic toll of the fires has reached 24 deaths, with 21 in the county's jurisdiction and 3 in the LAPD's jurisdiction. The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating 24 missing person cases, all adults, with 18 cases from the Eaton Fire area and 6 from the Malibu area. Meanwhile, the LAPD has 11 unaccounted individuals and two others who are likely deceased but await confirmation. Search and rescue teams are tirelessly combing through the affected areas. Cal Fire teams have already conducted grid searches of 3,654 properties in Altadena, and similar efforts are underway in the Palisades area. The chief of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office urged continued vigilance, emphasizing the ongoing danger for the next 24 hours. Authorities have also reported a surge in criminal activity linked to the fires, with 39 arrests made by the Sheriff's Office and 14 by the LAPD for offenses ranging from curfew violations and DUI to burglary and possession of firearms. In a separate development, three arson suspects were apprehended by LAPD officers for setting fires using barbecue lighters, highlighting the ongoing threat of arson in the volatile fire conditions. L.A. City Fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley urged residents to heed evacuation orders and exercise extreme caution due to the life-threatening winds and widespread fire risk. She praised the dedication and resilience of firefighters and first responders, assuring the public of their unwavering commitment to safety and protection.
WILDFIRES LOS ANGELES EVACUATIONS PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY PALISADES FIRE ARRESTS CALIFORNIA
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