LA Wildfire Death Toll Surges to 24 as Firefighters Brace for Fierce Winds

The death toll surged late on Sunday; about 150,000 people in LA County remain under evacuation orders

- Associated Press

LOS ANGELES: After a weekend spent blocking the explosive growth of fires that destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people in the Los Angeles area, firefighters got a slight break with calmer weather but cast a wary eye on a forecast for yet more wind.

Should that happen, already burned homes and valleys could flare anew, sending embers to unburned territory miles downwind. New fires could add to the complication.

The death toll surged late on Sunday with an update from the Los Angeles County medical examiner. At least 16 people were missing, a number authorities said was also likely to rise.

The relative calm on Sunday allowed some people to return to previously evacuated areas, however.

The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for severe fire conditions through Wednesday, with sustained winds of 50 mph and gusts in the mountains reaching 70 mph.

The most dangerous day will be Tuesday, warned fire behavior analyst Dennis Burns at a community meeting on Sunday night.