President-elect Donald Trump criticised local and state officials he believed had handled the situation badly.
“The fires are still raging in LA. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place… they just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?” he said on his Truth Social media feed.
Los Angeles Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger told reporters she invited Trump – who takes office on January 20 – to visit the county to get a first-hand look at the destruction.
The blazes have damaged or destroyed 12,000 structures, fire officials said. The flames have reduced whole neighbourhoods to smouldering ruins, destroying the homes of the rich and famous and ordinary folk alike and leaving an apocalyptic landscape.
Over the past 24 hours, the Palisades fire spread over an additional 400 hectares, consuming more homes, officials reported. It is only 11 per cent contained.
Cal Fire official Todd Hopkins told a press conference the fire had spread into the Mandeville Canyon and threatened to jump into Brentwood, an upscale neighbourhood that is home to many celebrities, and the San Fernando Valley. It also inched toward the north-south 405 freeway.
Although the Santa Ana winds that have fanned the flames had calmed some over the weekend, the National Weather Service warned that stronger gusts of up to 110 kmh could return early next week. Local officials said they expect the strongest winds to occur on Tuesday (Wednesday ADST).
Red Flag warnings remain in effect for LA and Ventura counties through to Wednesday, the NWS said.
“These winds, combined with dry air and dry vegetation, will keep the fire weather threat in the area,” it said. Conditions were expected to moderate by Thursday.
A search and rescue team examines a property in the aftermath of the Eaton fire.Credit: Bloomberg
Some residents were allowed to return to the sites of their ruined homes on Saturday to see what they could salvage.
Evacuation orders throughout the Los Angeles area now cover 153,000 residents. Another 166,000 residents have been warned that they may have to evacuate, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.
President Joe Biden spoke by phone with officials to get an update on their efforts and was briefed by aides on federal resources that were being dispatched.
His declaration of a major disaster unlocked federal assistance for those affected by the wildfires, clearing the way for the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide support.
Support can range from funding for home repairs to money to replace lost food or medication, FEMA spokesperson Michael Hart said, adding that assistance can be provided within days.
Officials have declared a public health emergency due to the thick, toxic smoke and poor air quality, as the fires lofted traces of metals, plastics and other synthetic materials.
Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic loss at about $US135 billion ($220b), portending soaring homeowners’ insurance costs.
