At least 24 people have died in the ongoing wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area, with fears that the death toll may rise.
The Los Angeles medical examiner confirmed that 16 fatalities were linked to the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, while eight deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades district. 
These two wildfires are among the most severe, although the region has faced several major blazes since Tuesday.
Emergency services have warned that it could take days before all impacted areas are safely accessible.
Officials believe the fires may constitute one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history due to their devastating scale and impact.
“Life-threatening winds and dangerously low humidity are forecast for much of Southern California,” warned the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) on Sunday.
The U.S. weather service predicts winds reaching 110 km/h, combined with dry vegetation, will fuel the rapid and unpredictable spread of fires.
As of now, almost 163 square kilometers – equivalent to the size of Washington D.C.—have been consumed by flames.
Moreover, 12,300 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, leaving thousands of residents displaced and jobless.
California Governor Gavin Newsom described the wildfires as one of the most significant disasters in U.S. history, citing the “scale, scope, and financial costs.”
To aid recovery efforts, Newsom signed an executive order temporarily suspending environmental regulations for rebuilding homes and businesses destroyed by the fires.
Cal Fire officials have urged residents to take precautions during this period of “critical fire weather.”
They advised against activities that could inadvertently spark fires, such as mowing lawns or parking vehicles on dry grass, and stressed the importance of extinguishing all campfires.
The wildfires have left many communities in Southern California devastated, underscoring the urgent need for collective action and emergency preparedness.
While firefighters battle to contain the flames, officials continue to stress the importance of safety and vigilance in the face of such unpredictable natural disasters.
