Four more ‘arsonists’ arrested in LA after trying to start new fires as death toll climbs & 85,000 poised to evacuate
COPS have arrested four people in Los Angeles on suspicion of trying to start new fires.
It comes as firefighters continue to work around-the-clock to battle blazes that have now killed 25.
The four suspects were arrested for separate incidents across the city, the LAPD announced on Tuesday.
One alleged arsonist was charged with three counts and is facing nine years in jail.
Jose Gerardo Escobar was arrested on Friday accused of intentionally trying to start a fire in the eastern suburb of Azusa.
Another suspect was arrested after allegedly using a barbecue lighter to start fires in North Hollywood on Sunday night.
A third arrest was made on Monday afternoon in the northern suburb of Van Nuys when a suspect lit a brush on fire.
The fourth person was arrested in West LA after trying to light a bin on fire.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the fires which started on January 7 rose again from 24 to 25, the LA County Medical Examiner said.
Authorities expect the number of fatalities to continue increasing.
And wind speeds on Tuesday were lower than forecast.
But the National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned that winds would pick up overnight and into Wednesday morning.
There are currently over six million people under critical fire threat across Southern California.
Some 85,000 are poised to evacuate under new orders as severe winds could fan flames.
California Fire said yesterday that the Eaton fire in the eastern suburb of Altadena is now the most destructive and deadly wildfire in Southern California’s history.
It has killed 17 people, burned over 14,000 acres and destroyed 7,000 buildings and other structures.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Palisades fire which has decimated one of LA’s ritziest neighbourhoods is the second most destructive ever in the region.
It has burned 23,000 acres and 5,000 structures.
Resources for the Los Angeles wildfires
As wildfires continue to grow in and around Los Angeles cities, residents can reach out for help with resources and aid offered by organizations throughout the area.
To keep track of the live fire movements, residents can download the Watch Duty app or use its website.
You can register for emergency notifications through Alert LA County.
A comprehensive list of resources is available here.
Available shelters for evacuating residents include:
- Calvary Community Church
- Ritchie Valens Recreation Center
- Pan Pacific Recreational Center
- Westwood Recreation Center
- Pasadena Civic Auditorium
- Pomona Fairplex
- Stoner Recreation Center
Available animal shelters include:
- Agoura Animal Care Center
- Baldwin Park Animal Care Center
- Carson Animal Care Center
- Downey Animal Care Center
- Lancaster Animal Care Center
- Palmdale Animal Care Center
- Pomona Fairplex
- Industry Hills Expo
- Antelope Valley Fair
Free meals are being distributed to evacuees at restaurants and kitchens including:
- World Central Kitchen
- Danny Boy’s Pizza
- Dudley Market in Covina
- Sora Craft Kitchen
- Telefèric Barcelona
- Love Hour Los Angeles
- Detroit Pizza Depot
Sources:
Sniffer dogs are combing through the ashes in a desperate search for victims.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said finding all of the bodies will take time as officials search using cadaver dogs, which are trained to find the smell of human remains.
Luna said: “We are still, for the Altadena area, we are in the third day of grid searching.
“It is a very grim task, and we, unfortunately, every day we’re doing this, we’re running across the remains of individual community members.”
Eight of the fire victims died in the Palisades Fire while 17 died in the Eaton Fire in Altadena.
“That is not easy work. Very sad to report,” Luna added.
“And I believe that work is not only going to continue, but I believe we’ll continue to find remains.”