The fires have already killed 24 people while the authorities announce that they find human remains every day in certain neighborhoods ravaged by the flames.
Firefighters in Los Angeles, California, were preparing Tuesday, January 14, for stronger winds that could fuel the two major fires that killed at least 24 people and ravaged entire neighborhoods.
Winds of up to 75 mph (120 km/h) are expected Tuesday, and gusts reaching 50 to 70 mph (80 to 112 km/h) are expected to last through Wednesday, said David Roth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center. ). “This configuration is the worst possible,” warned Kristin Crowley, fire chief for the city of Los Angeles. “We are not immune.”
The fires destroyed or damaged more than 12,000 structures, leaving entire neighborhoods in ashes in an apocalyptic landscape. As of Monday, more than 92,000 Los Angeles residents were ordered to evacuate — up from more than 150,000 previously — and another 89,000 are at risk of having to evacuate.
According to Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna, his deputies find human remains in burned neighborhoods in Altadena every day.
Arrests and complaint
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said Monday that ten people had been arrested in connection with the fires. Nine of them were arrested for burglaries in areas affected by the fires. Another person was arrested for arson after trying to set fire to a tree in the town of Azusa, about 20 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Separately, a lawsuit was filed against the Los Angeles Water and Power Company on Monday for failing to properly manage water supplies essential to fighting the deadly Palisades fire, according to a court filing. Residents who filed the complaint say the company should have kept water in a nearby reservoir, which was dry at the time the fire broke out last Tuesday.
President-elect Donald Trump plans to visit the devastated area after his inauguration next week. As thousands of homeowners face costly rebuilding, banks including JP Morgan and Bank of America have announced plans to ease mortgage repayment terms for those affected. Insurers are facing historic losses.
