SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Death toll expected to rise in Los Angeles fires

Several of the massive fires raging around Los Angeles are still completely uncontrolled, the fire department reports. Five people have been confirmed dead – but the figure is feared to rise in what is described as the most destructive fires in the city's modern era.

» Published: January 09 2025

Death toll expected to rise in Los Angeles fires
Photo: Mark J. Terrill/AP/TT

The strong winds that have spread the fires in recent days are beginning to subside somewhat, according to a local fire chief. In the Altadena neighborhood, the flames are still completely out of control. Nor have the thousands of firefighters called in managed to gain control over the historically large fire in celebrity-studded Pacific Palisades.

The fire that has raged around Hollywood has, however, subsided somewhat since the wind decreased, according to fire officials. But the weather agency NWS warns that strong winds are expected again later on Thursday.

Unprecedented Firestorm

The winds continue to be of historic proportions, says Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass at a press conference on Thursday morning, local time, and describes the events as an "absolutely unprecedented, historic firestorm".

One of the five people confirmed dead is 66-year-old Victor Shaw. He died when he stayed to try to save his childhood home despite the evacuation order, his sister Shari tells local TV station KTLA. It was also the siblings' joint home, but she felt forced to leave when the flames surrounded her.

When I went back in and called his name, he didn't answer, she says.

The house is one of nearly 2,000 homes and buildings destroyed, with the number constantly increasing as tens of thousands of properties are threatened by the fires. The death toll is feared to rise as the affected areas are searched.

Evacuated Homes Looted

Another person who has seen their home in flames is evacuee William Gonzales, from the affected neighborhood of Altadena.

We've lost almost everything, the flames have consumed all our dreams, he says.

As hundreds of thousands have been ordered to evacuate their homes, local police have had to crack down on criminals who take the opportunity to steal from the homes. The police have so far arrested 20 people.

The White House has announced that President Joe Biden is canceling his last planned foreign trip, which was to go to Rome, due to the fires.

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre writes in a statement that the decision was made after Biden met with police and rescue personnel on site in Los Angeles on Wednesday, and that the focus is on directing the "full-scale federal response" to the crisis.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Germany Approves $3 Billion Military Aid Package to Ukraine

Germany Approves $3 Billion Military Aid Package to Ukraine

Over 100,000 Flee Eastern Congo Amid Escalating Violence

Over 100,000 Flee Eastern Congo Amid Escalating Violence

High Descent Speed Cited in Toronto Plane Crash Report

High Descent Speed Cited in Toronto Plane Crash Report

Germany Approves 500 Billion Euro Loan Package for Defense and Infrastructure

Germany Approves 500 Billion Euro Loan Package for Defense and Infrastructure

Record Deaths on Migration Routes in 2024, Reports UN Agency

Record Deaths on Migration Routes in 2024, Reports UN Agency

Israel Expands Gaza Occupation Amid Hostage Standoff with Hamas

Israel Expands Gaza Occupation Amid Hostage Standoff with Hamas

Fire Erupts at Russian Gas Facility Amid Blame Game with Ukraine

Fire Erupts at Russian Gas Facility Amid Blame Game with Ukraine

Russian Security Council Chair Shoygu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Russian Security Council Chair Shoygu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Sudan's Military Claims Control of Presidential Palace Amid Ongoing Clashes

Sudan's Military Claims Control of Presidential Palace Amid Ongoing Clashes

Russia's Sergey Shoygu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Russia's Sergey Shoygu Meets Kim Jong-Un in North Korea

Argentina's CGT Union Calls 24-Hour Strike for April 10

Argentina's CGT Union Calls 24-Hour Strike for April 10

Israeli Court Temporarily Blocks Dismissal of Security Chief Ronen Bar

Israeli Court Temporarily Blocks Dismissal of Security Chief Ronen Bar

US to Finalize Mineral Agreement with Ukraine Soon, Says Trump

US to Finalize Mineral Agreement with Ukraine Soon, Says Trump

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Stance on Ukraine at EU Summit

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Stance on Ukraine at EU Summit

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Southern and Eastern Lebanon

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Targets in Southern and Eastern Lebanon

Haiti's Media Under Siege as Gangs Target Journalists

Haiti's Media Under Siege as Gangs Target Journalists

Israel Intensifies Ground Operations Across Southern Gaza

Israel Intensifies Ground Operations Across Southern Gaza

Norwegian Police in Finnmark Offered Bonuses to Boost Retention

Norwegian Police in Finnmark Offered Bonuses to Boost Retention

Trump Backs Israel's Recent Actions in Gaza, Says White House

Trump Backs Israel's Recent Actions in Gaza, Says White House

Sudan's Army Closes In on Presidential Palace Amid Intensifying Conflict

Sudan's Army Closes In on Presidential Palace Amid Intensifying Conflict

French Citizen Freed After 880 Days in Iranian Detention

French Citizen Freed After 880 Days in Iranian Detention

Teens Among Victims in North Macedonia Nightclub Fire

Teens Among Victims in North Macedonia Nightclub Fire

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Ban on Pride Events at EU Summit

Kristersson Criticizes Hungary's Ban on Pride Events at EU Summit

UK Report: Up to 250,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in Ukraine Conflict

UK Report: Up to 250,000 Russian Soldiers Killed in Ukraine Conflict

Canada Set for April 28 Elections, Sources Reveal

Canada Set for April 28 Elections, Sources Reveal

USA and Russia to Resume Talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday

USA and Russia to Resume Talks in Saudi Arabia on Monday

Trump Moves to Dissolve Education Department, Cites Sweden as Model

Trump Moves to Dissolve Education Department, Cites Sweden as Model

Zelensky Confirms Upcoming US Talks Amid European Support Tour

Zelensky Confirms Upcoming US Talks Amid European Support Tour

Sweden Ready to Join Ukraine Peacekeeping Talks, Says PM Kristersson

Sweden Ready to Join Ukraine Peacekeeping Talks, Says PM Kristersson

Istanbul Protests Escalate as Police Use Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets

Istanbul Protests Escalate as Police Use Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets

China Executes Four Canadians for Drug Offenses, Canada Condemns

China Executes Four Canadians for Drug Offenses, Canada Condemns

EU's Defense Funding: Navigating Complex Paths to Billions by 2030

EU's Defense Funding: Navigating Complex Paths to Billions by 2030

Meta AI Debuts in Europe, Navigating Unique Regulatory Landscape

Meta AI Debuts in Europe, Navigating Unique Regulatory Landscape

Israeli Forces Down Yemen-Launched Drone Targeting Ben Gurion Airport

Israeli Forces Down Yemen-Launched Drone Targeting Ben Gurion Airport

Greenpeace Faces $660 Million Penalty Over Dakota Pipeline Protests

Greenpeace Faces $660 Million Penalty Over Dakota Pipeline Protests

Israel Claims Killing of Hamas Intelligence Chief in Gaza Strikes

Israel Claims Killing of Hamas Intelligence Chief in Gaza Strikes

13 Soldiers Killed in Niger Attacks by Jihadist Groups

13 Soldiers Killed in Niger Attacks by Jihadist Groups

Russian Drone Attack in Ukraine Leaves Two Dead, Several Injured

Russian Drone Attack in Ukraine Leaves Two Dead, Several Injured

Istanbul Erupts in Protest After Mayor's Arrest Despite Ban

Istanbul Erupts in Protest After Mayor's Arrest Despite Ban

Tourist Survives 7-Hour Avalanche Ordeal in Norway's Lyngen Alps

Tourist Survives 7-Hour Avalanche Ordeal in Norway's Lyngen Alps