California wildfires trigger evacuation orders for over 150,000 people 16 dead / UPDATED

A humanitarian team from Mexico has arrived at Los Angeles International Airport to assist with the wildfires in Southern California. 

Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his gratitude to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum as he welcomed over 70 Mexican firefighters. These firefighters will join more than 14,000 personnel already working to control the fires, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

Although the team was initially set to combat the Eaton Fire in Altadena, they will now assist with efforts against the spreading Palisades Fire near Brentwood. Additionally, mutual aid from Canada is expected to arrive on January 13.

At least two of the victims of the Southern California wildfires were trying to defend the homes where they had raised their families for decades, while another stayed behind to care for his son, who has cerebral palsy and was unable to evacuate.

So far, sixteen people have been confirmed dead across the Los Angeles area as wildfires, driven by dry conditions and strong winds, have caused widespread destruction. Thousands of structures have been lost, and around 180,000 people have been displaced. Officials have stated that the actual death toll remains uncertain as the fires continue to devastate communities.

09:46

Around 13 people are reported missing, and 22 individuals have been arrested during the wildfires in Los Angeles, US. 

It remains unclear whether the missing individuals are connected to the 11 confirmed deaths, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

A curfew has been imposed, and the 22 arrests were made for curfew violations, trespassing, burglary, and looting in areas impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires, Los Angeles county sheriff Robert Luna says. 

Approximately 153,000 people are under evacuation orders, while 166,000 are under evacuation warnings. The fire has spread across 14,117 acres and is 1 per cent contained. Containment refers to the percentage of the fire's perimeter that has been surrounded by control lines, preventing further spread.

The Palisades fire has affected 21,596 acres and destroyed 5,316 structures, with 11 per cent containment. It’s important to note that “structures” include not just homes but also sheds and vehicles. Nearly 1,000 prison inmates have been working as firefighters to help contain the wildfires.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation informed that prisoners can earn between $5.80 and $10.24 per day during emergencies, with Cal Fire also providing an additional $1 per hour to the crew members.

California established fire camps for incarcerated individuals to receive training in firefighting in 1915. Currently, there are 35 minimum-security facilities of this kind across the state. The California corrections department also stated that prisoners will not face disciplinary consequences if they choose not to participate in the fire camp programme. 

The Palisades Fire, a roaring blaze that has burned nearly 20,000 acres since it broke out on January 7 morning in the affluent Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, is currently the largest wildfire in the region. It grew out of a brush fire that exploded as powerful winds ripped through the area. Wildfires surrounding Los Angeles intensified on January 8, spreading to the iconic Hollywood Hills, leaving devastation in their wake.

Wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area have destroyed multiple celebrity homes and disrupted Hollywood's busy awards season. California firefighters continue battling the fires, with strong winds exacerbating the situation. The fires have destroyed iconic landmarks, including the historic Will Rogers ranch and parts of the Palisades Charter High School.

By Naila Huseynova