The death toll from wildfires raging in Southern California has risen to 11. According to Friday's update from the Los Angeles County Coroner's Department (DME).
The Palisades Fire resulted in five fire-related deaths and the Eaton Fire resulted in six deaths. There are currently six fires burning in the area. According to To Calfire.
The Palisades Fire, the largest of the six, has burned more than 21,000 acres with 8 percent containment. The second largest Eaton Fire has burned 14,000 acres and is 6 percent contained.
In total, the wildfires have burned nearly 36,000 acres and destroyed at least 10,000 structures.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who declared a state of emergency earlier this week in response to the fires, on Friday called for an independent investigation from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power after questions arose about the region's water supply. did.
The Santa Ynez Reservoir in the Pacific Palisades was empty and closed due to a fire in the area. According to Regarding media coverage. Typically, its capacity is 117 million gallons of water.
“Water supplies from local fire hydrants are not designed to extinguish widespread wildfires, but loss of water supply from hydrants is likely to compromise efforts to protect some homes and evacuation routes.” Newsom wrote in the letter.
The governor is one of many state and local officials under scrutiny in recent days for their preparedness and ability to respond to the fires.
