Los Angeles Wildfires Claim 24 Lives, Leave Thousands Homeless in Devastating Disaster | Key Updates

At least 24 people have been confirmed dead as massive wildfires continue to ravage areas around Los Angeles, with California Governor Gavin Newsom describing it as potentially the most devastating natural disaster in US history.

The fires have also destroyed thousands of homes.

Photo Credit: AP/PTI

Key Points on the Los Angeles Wildfires:

1. The death toll from two Los Angeles wildfires, which have been burning for six consecutive days, rose to 24 over the weekend. Eight victims were found in the Palisades Fire zone and 16 in the Eaton Fire zone.

2. Former Australian child actor Rory Sykes, known for his role in the British television show 'Kiddy Kapers' during the 1990s, was among those who lost their lives in the fires devastating the United States' second-largest city.

3. The Palisades Fire, which has expanded to 23,600 acres, is 11 per cent contained, while the Eaton Fire, covering 14,000 acres, is 15 per cent contained. A fire tornado was reportedly spotted as flames tore through the San Fernando Valley in California.

4. Over 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the wildfires, forcing more than 100,000 residents to evacuate. The estimated economic loss is between $135 billion and $150 billion.

5. Celebrities including Anthony Hopkins, Paris Hilton, Mel Gibson, and Billy Crystal are among those who have lost their homes in the inferno, which bears a resemblance to a Hollywood disaster film.

6. Firefighters received some respite over the weekend as the fierce Santa Ana winds, which had earlier reached hurricane strength, finally subsided.

7. However, officials warned that the winds would intensify again from Sunday night through to Wednesday, with speeds potentially reaching up to 96 km/h.

8. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, has pledged to rebuild the affected areas. "We already have a team looking at reimagining L.A. 2.0," he stated.

9. US President-elect Donald Trump criticised California's management of the crisis, saying: "This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our country. They just can't put out the fires. What's wrong with them?"

10. A large-scale investigation by federal and local authorities is underway to determine the cause of the fires. While wildfires can sometimes be started deliberately, they are often natural and play an essential role in an ecosystem's life cycle.