Jan. 10 (UPI) — The most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history have burned more than 54 square miles of land, destroyed thousands of structures and killed at least 10 people, officials reported late Thursday.
The rising death toll was verified late Thursday by the Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner.
No names were released by the medical examiner. All cases are pending identification and legal next of kin notification, the department said.
More than 179,000 residents were under evacuation orders as of Thursday night, and weather forecasters extended a red flag warning until 6 p.m. PST Friday in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
The National Weather Service predicts sustained Santa Ana winds of up 55 mph and gusts of up to 70 mph continue fanning the flames overnight and into Friday, CBS News reported.
The Palisades, Eaton and Sunset fires have overwhelmed firefighters who are working desperately to contain them against fierce hurricane force winds.
A state of emergency is still in effect for Los Angeles city and county with all area schools closed and unhealthy air affecting areas not directly hit by the fires.
President Joe Biden approved a federal disaster declaration for California on Wednesday and on Thursday said the federal government will pay for all initial disaster-response costs over the next six months, ABC News reported.
“We are with you. We are not going anywhere,” Biden said Thursday. “To the firefighters and first responders, you are our heroes.”
Biden said the federal funding will pay for debris removal, temporary shelters and paying first responders for their services.
He called the cleanup costs “gigantic” and the cost to replace housing “exponential,” ABC News reported.
Biden also said he is sending 400 federal firefighters, 30 federal firefighting aircraft and other assets to Los Angeles County to help battle the wildfires.
Biden convened senior White House and administration officials for a briefing on the federal government’s response to the destructive fires.
Those at the briefing were told the Hollywood fire had been suppressed and Cal Fire is working to supply generators for water pumps to ensure firefighters have access to sufficient water supplies to battle the blazes.
Biden said widely reported dry fire hydrants were caused by local utilities shutting down power services to prevent high winds from blowing them down and causing more uncontrolled fires, The Hill reported.
Her political supporters and opponents alike said her initial absence could permanently damage her political reputation as a politician focused on local issues, Politico reported.
Bass held a press conference Wednesday evening and said she stayed in contact with local officials as the fires spread and while on military and commercial aircraft during her return trip to Los Angeles.
