Heba Press
At least 16 people died in the fires that have been raging in Los Angeles for several days and which spread on Saturday to areas that were spared from the flames.
Los Angeles continues to count victims, with the death toll rising on Saturday evening to 16 people, after a previous toll of 11.
Dara Danton, a resident of the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood where the fire broke out on Tuesday, said, looking sadly at her husband, “It is very touching and sad.” “All our friends, best friends, lost their homes and so did we.”
The couple has lived in the neighborhood for 25 years and is among more than 150,000 people who were forced to flee as fires advanced in the area.
Despite the efforts of thousands of firefighters to contain the flames, the Pacific Palisades fire expanded on Saturday to northwest Los Angeles. It now threatens the densely populated San Fernando Valley, as well as the Getty Museum and its priceless works of art.
Firefighting teams benefited from a decrease in the intensity of the winds in the last three days, but they have now returned to intensification.
“These winds, combined with dry weather and dry vegetation, will keep the fire threat in the Los Angeles area at a high level,” said Anthony Marrone, the area’s fire chief.
The city of Los Angeles is regaining scenes it has not seen since the Covid pandemic.
The usual stifling traffic jams have disappeared, while residents who leave their homes wear masks due to the toxic smoke in the air.
Los Angeles health authorities on Saturday warned residents of the health risks resulting from fire smoke.
“In areas where smoke is visible or there is a smell of smoke, and even in places where you can’t see (smoke), we know that the air quality is poor, so you should limit your exposure,” said Anish Mahajan of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. To the open air as much as possible.”
A large number of residents began to doubt the effectiveness of the authorities’ management of the crisis, especially since firefighting teams sometimes found themselves facing empty water tanks or suffering from low water pressure.
Nicole Perry, whose home in Pacific Palisades was destroyed by fire, said in a statement to Agence France-Presse that the authorities had “completely abandoned” the residents.
Mayor Karen Bass, who was subjected to severe criticism, stressed that political officials, relief and security agencies “are all on the same wavelength.”
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