Death toll from southern California wildfires rises to 16
The death toll from the southern California wildfires reached 16, as of Saturday night, while the fires remained mostly uncontained and additional evacuation orders were underway.
The Palisades Fire caused five of the deaths and the Eaton Fire caused 11 of the deaths, according to an update from the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.
Previously, the death toll had been 11. All five new deaths – from Friday and Saturday – were attributed to the Eaton fire.
Half of the 16 deaths were still listed as “unidentified Doe” as of Sunday morning, while the more recent cases were still awaiting more information from the medical examiner before being listed one way or another.
There were four fires listed as active, as of Sunday morning. The Palisades Fire, which started on Jan. 7, was only 11 percent contained and already burned 23,654 acres. The Eaton Fire, which began on Jan. 7, was only 15 percent contained, and already burned 14,117 acres.
The Kenneth Fire, started Jan. 9, was 90 percent contained, after burning 1,052 acres; and the Hurst Fire, started Jan. 7, was 76 percent contained, after having 799 acres burn.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), who earlier this week declared a state of emergency amid the fire outbreaks, called Friday for an independent probe of the Los Angeles Departmentof Water and Power after questions arose about the region’s water supply.