The death toll from a wildfire in America’s west coastal Los Angeles area has risen to 24 and thousands of homes have been destroyed.
Meteorologists have predicted the winds to increase further this week, in view of which the fire brigade has intensified efforts to extinguish the fire. Officials said at least 16 people are missing and their number may increase.
The National Weather Service has issued a high-level warning for severe fire conditions through Wednesday. The National Weather Service has predicted winds of up to 80 kilometers per hour in the area, with wind speeds up to 113 kilometers per hour expected in mountainous areas.
Meteorologist Rich Thompson said the fire was expected to become more intense on Tuesday. Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marone said 70 additional water trucks had arrived to accelerate efforts to extinguish the fire.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 12 people were reported missing in the fire in the Eaton area and four people were missing in the Palisades.
Luna said that many more people are expected to be reported missing on Sunday morning and officials are trying to find out how many of those who have died so far are those who have been reported missing. .
Meanwhile, the death toll has increased to 24. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office said in a statement Sunday evening that eight people died in the fire in the Palisades area, while 16 people died in the fire in the Eaton area.
Officials have expressed fear that the death toll will increase. Authorities have set up a center where information about missing people can be filed. Officials are preparing online data of houses damaged or destroyed in the fire.
