At Least 24 Dead From Los Angeles County Fires With More Still Missing

The death toll from the devastating Los Angeles County fires has risen to 24, with more than a dozen people still missing and at least three blazes still burning. 

The L.A. County Medical Examiner said Sunday that 16 people had been killed in the Eaton Fire and another eight had been killed in the Palisades Fire, making some of the deadliest fires in California history. The fires have so far burned more than 40,000 acres and destroyed 12,000 structures. 

With the number of missing expected to rise, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 12 people were missing from the Eaton Fire zone near Pasadena, with another four from the Palisades Fire near the coast. 

Victims identified so far included 85-year-old Annette Rossilli, Anthony and Justin Mitchell, Erliene Kelley, 66-year-old Victor Shaw, Rodney Nickerson, Rory Callum Sykes, 55-year-old Randall Miod, Charles Mortimer, and Dalcye Curry. Several died trying to protect their homes. 

The coroner’s office reported that one of the deaths was at the hospital, while the others were reported at the scene of the fires.

According to the latest updates from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, at least three major fires are still burning in Los Angeles County. The data show 13% containment for the Palisades Fire (23,713 acres), 27% containment for the Eaton Fire (14,117 acres), and 89% containment for the Hurst Fire (799 acres).

“There are still active fires that are burning within the Palisades area, making it extremely, extremely dangerous for the public,” said LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley Sunday morning. “There’s no power, there’s no water, there’s broken gas lines, and we have unstable structures.”

The National Weather Service said Sunday that the Santa Ana winds, which fueled the fires last week with gusts up to 100 miles per hour, would continue this week. 

“Critical fire weather conditions will continue for coastal southern California including the areas of the Palisades and Eaton fires through Wednesday due to moderate to locally strong Santa Ana winds. Red Flag Warnings are in effect,” the National Weather Service said

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Top California Democrats have faced criticism over their handling of the fires, including from President-elect Donald Trump. 

“The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place,” Trump said on Sunday. “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?”