Death toll in Los Angeles fires raised to 16 as wind whips flames up again

The number of people confirmed dead in fires that raced through Los Angeles rose to 16 on Saturday, authorities say.

The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner publishes a list of fatalities without giving details of any identities. Five of the dead were found in the Palisades Fire zone, and 11 in the Eaton Fire zone, the document says.

Despite heroic efforts, including precision sorties from aerial crews, the Palisades Fire continued to grow Saturday, pushing east towards the priceless collections of the Getty Center art museum and north to the densely populated San Fernando Valley.

“We’re a nervous wreck,” Sarah Cohen tells the Los Angeles Times of the threat to her Tarzana home.

“Every time they drop water, it gets better. But then it gets worse again.”

A person walks down a street in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, on Saturday, January 11, 2025. (AP/John Locher)

Authorities said the Palisades Fire had burned over 23,600 acres and was 11 percent contained, while the Eaton Fire, which burned over 14,000 acres, was 15% under control.

But a brief lull in the wind has rapidly given way to gusts that forecasters warn will feed the blazes for days to come.

“Critical fire-weather conditions will unfortunately ramp up again today for southern California and last through at least early next week,” the National Weather Service says.

“This may lead to the spread of ongoing fires as well as the development of new ones.”