Death Toll in Los Angeles County Wildfires Climbs to 24 as Search for Victims Continues

The deadly wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County have claimed at least 24 lives, with more expected as the situation continues to unfold. The fires, which hit the Pacific Palisades area with little warning, have left residents devastated and searching for any remnants of their homes. Jennifer Bjorklund reports from Pacific Palisades, where the remains of destroyed homes are barely recognizable, and the community is struggling with the loss of life and property.

In an emotional scene, one resident shared that she salvaged a few items, such as a bag and metallic sprinkler heads, just to offer some form of comfort to her elderly mother. "There’s not much that I found here," she said, describing the overwhelming devastation. The fire hit an area once considered safe, with many residents believing they were out of harm’s way. "State Farm had just re-upped our insurance because we were in a safe area," one resident mentioned, showing just how unexpected this disaster was.

As of now, the wildfire is still not under control. To bolster firefighting efforts, additional support is arriving from all directions. A drone-damaged super scooper from Canada will return to assist with aerial fire suppression, while dozens of Mexican firefighters and soldiers have joined the effort, having completed weekend training at March Air Reserve. Authorities are focused on continuing containment efforts, while also conducting thorough searches on the ground for potential hazards and remains of those still missing.

Authorities have urged residents to be patient during this difficult time, as they work to find and identify victims. "Please be patient with us," one official stated, explaining that while many want to return and assess the damage to their homes, the priority is finding survivors and securing the area.

With the wind expected to intensify, the threat of additional destruction remains high, and the toll from this catastrophic event may rise further in the coming days. The community, as well as first responders, continue to face unimaginable challenges as they work to bring this disaster under control.