Death Toll in Los Angeles Wildfires Rises to 24

The death toll from the raging wildfires in Los Angeles, California, has climbed to 24 as of Sunday, with 16 people still reported missing.

Officials fear the numbers could rise further as search and rescue operations continue.

Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the blazes, which have devastated large areas of the city.

The National Weather Service has issued warnings about strong winds reaching speeds of 50 mph (80 km/h), with gusts of up to 70 mph (113 km/h) in mountainous regions, creating unfavorable conditions for firefighting efforts.

Aircraft have been deployed to drop water and fire retardants, while ground crews use hoses and hand tools to battle the Pacific Palisades fire. The blaze has encroached on the upscale Brentwood neighborhood and other populated areas of Los Angeles.

Covering about 96 square kilometers (37 square miles), only 11% of the fire’s perimeter has been contained so far.

In Eaton Canyon, located in the foothills east of Los Angeles, the wildfire has scorched approximately 57 square kilometers (22 square miles), an area nearly the size of Manhattan.

Firefighters have increased containment to 27%, up from 15% the previous day.

Further north, the Hearst Fire has been 89% contained, while three other fires in the county have been fully extinguished, according to California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

However, some hotspots within containment lines remain active.

Experts warn that the combination of high winds and dry conditions may worsen the situation, with firefighters facing a daunting task of preventing the fires from spreading further into residential areas.