Los Angeles, Jan 12 (EFE).- The death toll from the Los Angeles fires has risen to 24 people, according to data released this afternoon by the county medical examiner’s office.
Of the 24 deceased, 16 have died from the Eaton fire and the rest from the Palisades fire.
In addition, only two of the victims have been identified: Charles Mortimer, 84, who died in the Palisades fire, and Victor Shaw, 66, who lost his life in the Eaton fire.
Firefighters are still battling the serious fires that have been ravaging Los Angeles since Tuesday, the most serious being the Palisades fire, which is only 11 percent contained, and the Eaton fire, which is 27 percent contained, according to the latest data from the California fire department.
Meanwhile, the Hurst fire is 89 percent contained.
Weather conditions are expected to worsen from tomorrow until Wednesday, making the work of firefighters harder.
California Governor Gavin Newsom deployed another 1,000 of the state’s National Guard on Sunday to the area of the fires, increasing the number of troops to about 2,500.
Newsom has also signed an executive order suspending important environmental regulations to speed up the reconstruction of homes and buildings. The blaze has burned more than 5,700 hectares, destroyed at least 7,000 structures and forced the evacuation of more than 150,000 people.
The cause of the fires is still unknown, and Sheriff Robert Luna indicated yesterday that all possibilities are being considered. EFE
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