California Wildfires: Death Toll Reached 16
California wildfires update: In a briefing posted online Saturday evening, Michael Traum of the California Office of Emergency Services said 150,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders.
California Wildfires: Death Toll Reached 16
The unprecedented fires in Los Angeles, California, have reportedly led to the loss of 16 lives so far and have spread to 1,000 more acres, with unfavourable weather conditions on the cards.
Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the Los Angeles County coroner's office said in a statement Saturday evening.
The previous number of confirmed fatalities before Saturday was 11, but officials said they expected that figure to rise as teams with cadaver dogs conduct systematic grid searches in levelled neighbourhoods. Authorities have established a centre where people can report the missing.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna cautioned residents not to return to ruined homes to search through the wreckage for treasures.
People are driving up and around, attempting to get in simply to look. Stay away, Luna warned, asking people to follow curfews.
