Wildfires Kill 24 In California As Santa Ana Wind Threat Rises Again Near Los Angeles

Four blazes in Los Angeles County have consumed more than 62 square miles, an area larger than the city of Paris. In total, more than 12,000 structures have gone up in flames. Three fires, t​he Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires continue to burn.

• T​he Palisades Fire is now 14% contained according to a CalFire update Monday morning. The fire has consumed more than 37 square miles and more than 5,000 structures.

• T​he Eaton Fire, which has consumed more than 22 square miles and more than 7,000 structures, is 33% contained.
• T​he Hurst Fire is now 89% contained after burning through a little more than one square mile.

T​he Kenneth Fire, which burned more than 1.6 square miles, as well as the Archer, Lidia, Sunset, Olivias and Woodley fires, which were previously burning, have been 100% contained.

T​he death toll from the blazes is up to 24. The Palisades Fire is being blamed for eight of those deaths, while the Eaton Fire is responsible for 16 fatalities. According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's office, missing persons reports have been filed for 16 individuals. The number of missing and the number perished could both rise, according to officials.

F​irefighters who spent the weekend keeping the fires in check are now bracing for more Santa Ana winds which could stoke the flames and cause new fires to flare up.

The National Weather Service has posted red flag warnings through Wednesday, meaning severe fire conditions are expected. Gusts from 45 mph up to 70 mph are expected, with the worst of the weather coming on Tuesday morning through noon Wednesday.

(​MORE: Intense 'Firenado' Spawned By Palisades Fire)

S​ome residents have been able to return to survey the damage at their properties, such as those from the Altadena area next to Pasadena. Officials were working on an online database where evacuated residents can check on the status of their homes.

Seventy additional water trucks were sent to the county to help with any surging flames in the coming days, and fire retardant dropped from the air will block fires along hillsides, officials said.

“We are prepared for the upcoming wind event,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said, according to the AP.

More than 15,000 personnel have been responding to the fires, including firefighters from nine other states and Mexico.