Firefighters in Los Angeles are expecting increased wind gusts, which could worsen the situation with the two huge fires that have already killed at least 24 people, leveled entire neighborhoods and devastated an area the size of the country's capital, Reuters reported, BTA writes.
According to the National Weather Service in Los Angeles and Ventura County, there are possible wind gusts of 80 to 112 kilometers per hour today and tomorrow, after dry "Santa Ana" winds begin to strengthen again. The service has declared the highest level of alert and warned that new fires may break out and those already burning may intensify.
More than 8,500 firefighters are working to extinguish the two largest fires by air and land and are trying to prevent them from spreading.
State authorities yesterday deployed fire brigade teams to Los Angeles and other counties in Southern California, where there is an increased risk of new fires.
According to information from yesterday, more than 92,000 people in Los Angeles County are still prohibited from returning to their homes.
The fire in the Pacific Palisades area, in the western part of the metropolis, which has devastated many properties, has covered an area of 96 square kilometers and is 14% contained.
The fire The Eaton Fire in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains east of the city is 22 square miles (57 sq km) and 33 percent contained.
The Hurst Fire is 1.2 square miles (3.2 sq km) and 95 percent contained, while other fires in the county have been completely contained in recent days.
Police are finding human remains in the charred parts of the Altadena suburb every day, said County Sheriff Robert Luna. He added that he expected the number of confirmed victims to rise in the coming days.
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said on Tuesday that 10 people had been arrested in connection with the fires. Nine people were arrested for breaking into homes in areas affected by the fires. The fire has killed 24 people.
President Joe Biden has announced additional aid for the city. However, senior Republicans in the US Congress are considering whether to impose conditions on the aid and accuse Democrats, who lead local governments in the state, of mismanaging water and forest resources.
Local residents filed a lawsuit yesterday against the Los Angeles Water and Power Department, which they say failed to maintain the required water level in a local reservoir that had dried up.