At least 36 people are missing and two more people have died, bringing the death toll to 25, authorities said Thursday as firefighters continue to extinguish the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County.
Search and rescue teams found one of the deceased in the Eaton fire area and the other in the Palisades fire area, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna told reporters at a news conference.
“We continue to work with multiple partners to not only recover the remains, but ultimately identify the deceased and notify next of kin,” Luna said.
Luna said more remains are likely to be discovered in these areas, which is why authorities continue to issue evacuation orders around these sites.
Los Angeles area residents need phone numbers and how to get help.
A burnt-out classic car stands like a ghost after being destroyed by a wildfire in Altadena, California, on Friday, January 10, 2025. (Derek Schock, Fox News Digital)
“We're going through some of these grids and there are areas that we're securing because we believe there may be deceased victims,” Luna said. “We need to have the right amount of time and the right resources to process the scene correctly, and that will take some time. Please be patient.”
Authorities also announced that at least 36 people remain missing in the wildfire area, as the death toll rises to at least 25.
A residential area affected by wildfires in Los Angeles, California on January 12, 2025. (Lokman Vral Elibor/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Of the 43 total people reported missing in the county, 12 have been found safe, Luna said. There are currently 31 missing persons cases, 24 in the Eaton fire area and seven in the Palisades area.
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell said eight other people were missing in the city. Three of them are believed to have died, and five remain missing, he said.
The Eaton and Palisades fires are the two largest wildfires firefighters are battling.
A helicopter sprays water on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon in Los Angeles, Saturday, January 11, 2025. (Etienne Laurent)
The Eaton Fire has burned an estimated 14,117 acres and was 55% contained as of Thursday, fire officials said. The Palisades Fire has consumed approximately 23,713 acres and is 22% contained.
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Officials said thousands of firefighters worked around the clock to extinguish the blaze as strong winds that fanned the flames subsided.
High winds cause a vehicle and house to burst into flames during a devastating wildfire in Altadena, California, on January 8, 2025. (Reuters/David Swanson)
Despite the easing in favorable weather conditions, officials warned of possible future weather threats, including strong Santa Ana winds expected to arrive Monday or Tuesday.
“There will be more polar winds on the horizon,” Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Christine Crowley said. “It is important to protect yourself and your family by planning, being prepared, and staying aware.”
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Other officials warned that rain could arrive later this month, potentially triggering mudslides and debris flows in areas scorched by wildfires.
