Firefighters were battling fierce conditions on Saturday as wildfires around Los Angeles surged forward, driven by strong winds that pushed the flames into new, previously untouched neighborhoods. The death toll has now reached 16, with fires ravaging communities and putting both firefighters and residents to the test.
Despite efforts, including precision water drops from aerial crews, the Palisades Fire continued to grow, threatening landmarks like the Getty Center art museum and advancing toward the densely populated San Fernando Valley. Sarah Cohen, a Tarzana resident, expressed her anxiety, telling the Los Angeles Times, “Every time they drop water, it gets better. But then it gets worse again.”
Footage from Mandeville Canyon showed a home engulfed by flames, with a massive wall of fire climbing the hillside toward other properties. A brief respite in the winds was quickly replaced by stronger gusts, and the National Weather Service warned that critical fire conditions would persist, potentially spreading the fires further and igniting new ones.
“Critical fire weather conditions will unfortunately escalate again today and last through at least early next week,” the service said.
Residents have been urged to stay indoors or wear masks to avoid inhaling the dangerous smoke blanketing the city.
The Palisades Fire was 11% contained on Saturday, having burned 23,600 acres (9,500 hectares), while the Eaton Fire covered 14,000 acres and was 15% contained. More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed, though this total includes not just homes, but also outbuildings, vehicles, and RVs.
Looting has been reported, and with a nighttime curfew in place, police and National Guard personnel have set up checkpoints to restrict access to the disaster zones. Many residents have expressed frustration over long delays, with some waiting up to 10 hours to return to their neighborhoods. One woman, Janelle, shared her heartache with KTLA, saying, “I know it’s gone, but I just want to see it for myself.”
The delays and challenges in emergency management have led to public criticism, particularly over the failure of hydrants during the initial firefighting efforts. Despite this, Los Angeles officials maintained a unified front on Saturday, amid reports of tension between Mayor Karen Bass and Fire Chief Kristin Crowley.
“We are focused on one mission: to get us through this emergency,” Mayor Bass stated, while Chief Crowley called for better funding for the fire department, citing ongoing resource shortages.
Former Australian child star Rory Sykes, known for his role in the 1990s British show Kiddy Kapers, was among those confirmed dead in the fires. His mother, Shelley Sykes, shared the heartbreaking news on social media: “It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son @Rorysykes to the Malibu fires yesterday.”
Search teams, accompanied by cadaver dogs, are scouring the rubble, with several people still missing and fears that the death toll will continue to rise.
A major investigation, involving the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is underway to determine the cause of the fires. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna vowed to leave no stone unturned. “If this is a criminal act – and I’m not saying it is – we will hold those responsible accountable,” he said, urging anyone with information to come forward.
While some wildfires are naturally occurring, urban sprawl and climate change – driven by human activity – are exacerbating the conditions that fuel such devastating fires, putting even more people at risk.
