At least 24 people have died in California wildfires, with more than 62 square miles burned. Strong Santa Ana winds are expected to worsen conditions.
At least 24 people have died after fires ravaged most of Los Angeles this past week – and dangerous weather is expected to spread the flames further. The Los Angeles County coroner’s office said eight of the recorded deaths were attributed to the Palisades fire and 16 were from the Eaton fire. At least 16 people are still missing, with authorities saying the number is expected to rise.
Tomorrow will be the worst day for fire conditions as winds up to 50mph and gusts of 70mph move through as part of the Santa Anas winds. The National Weather Service’s meteorologist Rich Thompson said: ‘You’re going to have really strong gusty Santa Ana winds, a very dry atmosphere and still very dry brush, so we still have some very critical fire weather conditions out there.’ Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said his firefighters are ready: ‘We are prepared for the upcoming wind event.’\Hundreds of men and women in California prisons are on the frontlines of the fires, helping to battle them and protect their state. One inmate told a journalist: ‘I just wanted to say hello to my daughter out there, I haven’t seen her in about 11 years. ‘I love you baby, hopefully I’ll be out soon. I love you a lot. Be good out there.’It’s part of a long-running, controversial scheme dating back to 1946 which gives each prisoner between $5 and $10 per day, with an extra dollar per day when fighting during emergencies.For comparison – citizen firefighters in California can earn up to $100,000 annually, according to the BBC.Inmates who committed ‘serious or violent felonies’ aren’t able to take part in the programme, but those who do take part can earn credits which reduces their prison sentences. Heartbreakingly, many of these inmates who work for years as firefighters – while incarcerated and not earning any money – are unable to be hired as regular firefighters once they are released.\Meghan and Harry live north of Los Angeles, in Montecito – a town outside of Santa Barbara. But the mayor of Pasadena, Victor Gordo, put those notions aside, saying: ‘They really buoyed the spirits of the first responders. We visited the command post at the Rose Bowl and people were very happy to see them.’\One of the worst affected areas in the fires has been the neighbourhood of Altadena, Los Angeles.To help, Elon Musk reportedly donated multiple Tesla Cybertrucks to provide free wifi and a power source to those who need it.\California Fire reported the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires had consumed more than 62 square miles as of Sunday morning. That’s larger than San Francisco. The Palisades and Eaton Fires both burned 59 square miles alone – with only 11% and 27% containment, respectively. Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response including 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including from Mexico.
CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES SANTA ANA WINDS DEATHS LOS ANGELES
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