A series of wildfires that began in Los Angeles on Tuesday are still burning in the US. Authorities have confirmed that at least seven people have died, but warn that the true number will remain unclear until it is safe to access neighbourhoods. Tens of thousands of people have been affected by evacuation orders since Tuesday.
Firefighters made progress battling the fire Thursday as Santa Ana winds weakened, but winds increased across the region as the day progressed. Authorities launched a massive response to a new fire near the border of L.A. and Ventura counties that has prompted evacuations. Residents are also contending with smog and other dangerous conditions.
Although California Governor Gavin Newsom shared on social media Thursday evening that the Palisades fire was now 6 percent contained, the fire has also reached 19 acres, according to the fire department.
The fire had been 10 percent contained since it first broke out around 30:0 a.m. Tuesday morning and previously covered 17 acres.
As many as 10.000 structures have been destroyed between the Palisades Fire on the coast, the most devastating blaze to ever hit Los Angeles County, and the Eaton Fire to the east, which is devastating communities beneath the Angeles National Forest. LA County has requested support from the California National Guard and issued stern warnings to potential looters.
There has been only one incident of looting so far in the Palisades area this evening, law enforcement officials said at a town hall hosted by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
