Death toll may rise in Los Angeles wildfires: local officials (VIDEOS)

Los Angeles city officials have warned that the death toll from wildfires ravaging the area may rise as search and rescue operations progress and as firefighters struggle to contain the flames. According to authorities, at least 16 people have been confirmed dead, 13 are missing and more than 12,000 structures have been destroyed.

The fires have burned 39,000 acres and forced 180,000 residents to evacuate. Strong winds, with gusts of up to 160 kilometers (100 mph), are creating dangerous conditions for firefighters.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said the death toll is expected to rise as search dogs are deployed to devastated areas.

President-elect Donald Trump has criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s handling of the fires, accusing him of prioritizing environmental concerns over firefighting.

“The fires continue to rage in Los Angeles. Incompetent politicians have no idea how to shut them down. Thousands of magnificent homes have disappeared and many more will soon be lost. There is death everywhere. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our country. They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them? posted on Reality Social on Sunday.

The first and largest of the wildfires is the so-called Palisades Fireplace, which started on January 7 in Pacific Palisades. It has now burned 23,500 acres and is only 11% contained.

A video posted on X captured a huge fire twister, or “dismissed” forming during the Palisades fire. This rare phenomenon, caused by intense heat and turbulent winds, creates a rotating vortex of flames that spreads fire rapidly. Another video shows cyclists racing through streets engulfed in fire, documenting the burning neighborhood.

In Altadena and Pasadena, the Eaton Fire has caused eight deaths and destroyed more than 7,000 structures. Evacuation orders are in place for Altadena, Kinneloa Mesa, La Canada Flintridge and parts of Pasadena and Arcadia.

The Kenneth Fire, which started Jan. 9 in West Hills, has expanded to more than 1,000 acres, threatening homes in Calabasas and Hidden Hills. Evacuations have been ordered in the affected neighborhoods.

Newsom declared a state of emergency and deployed National Guard personnel to assist. He also called for a state investigation into why fire hydrants ran dry, a circumstance that has hampered firefighting efforts.

President Joe Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration, which allows federal resources to be allocated to response and recovery operations.

Investigators are investigating the causes of the fires. There have been reports of electrical explosions preceding some of the fires.