Sat Jan 11 20:43:28 UTC 2025: ## Devastating Los Angeles Wildfires Claim 11 Lives, Leave 13 Missing

**Los Angeles, CA** – Two massive wildfires raging across Los Angeles have claimed the lives of eleven people and left thirteen more missing, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The blazes, dubbed the Eaton and Palisades fires, are the most destructive in the city’s history, having already razed over 12,000 structures, including at least 426 homes. The fires have forced over 153,000 people to evacuate, with another 166,000 under evacuation warnings.

The Palisades fire, the larger of the two, grew by 1,000 acres overnight, despite firefighters making some progress in containment. It continues to move east, posing a threat to the exclusive Brentwood neighborhood and the Getty Center, which has been evacuated. The Eaton fire has also caused widespread devastation.

Search and rescue teams, aided by cadaver dogs, are combing through the scorched remains of neighborhoods to locate the missing. Authorities have warned residents to avoid beaches due to fire-related water contamination. A curfew is in effect from 6 PM to 6 AM in affected areas due to reports of looting, with 22 arrests already made for various crimes including burglary and looting. Around 400 National Guard members are assisting with road closures and infrastructure support.

The fires are expected to be among the costliest in US history, with preliminary estimates placing the damage between $135 billion and $150 billion. Insured losses are projected to exceed $8 billion. Several celebrities, including Mel Gibson and Leighton Meester, are among those who have lost their homes.

The situation has sparked a political controversy over the city’s preparedness. Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an independent investigation into water pressure issues that reportedly hampered firefighting efforts, while Mayor Karen Bass has faced criticism over the city’s response. Chiefs from both the LA City and County Fire Departments have offered differing accounts of their level of preparedness.

While the cause of the fires remains under investigation, lightning has been ruled out. Experts attribute the intensity and scale of the blazes to a combination of exceptionally dry conditions, powerful Santa Ana winds, and the abundance of dry vegetation following recent weather whiplash. Climate change, they emphasize, is exacerbating these conditions and increasing the frequency and severity of wildfires. Forecasters predict no rain for at least a week, with winds expected to intensify again early next week.

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