The death toll from the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County has risen to 16, as evacuation orders now affect 150,000 residents. The Palisades and Eaton Fires continue to wreak havoc, prompting emergency measures and public health advisories.

According to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), over 700 displaced residents are being sheltered in nine facilities across the county. Evacuation orders remain in effect for areas at immediate risk, while evacuation warnings advise nearby residents to prepare to leave if conditions worsen.

The Kenneth and Hurst Fires have seen progress in containment, allowing authorities to lift evacuation orders and warnings in affected areas.

In addition to evacuation efforts, officials have issued critical health warnings:

• Residents in and around Pacific Palisades have been advised not to consume tap water due to potential fire-related contamination. Bottled water is being distributed at the Westwood Recreation Center and near the Brentwood Country Club.
• The use of power air blowers, including leaf blowers, has been banned countywide to reduce the spread of ash, smoke, and particulates harmful to respiratory health.
• The public health department has issued warnings against swimming, surfing, or entering ocean waters along a 20-mile stretch from Surfrider Beach to Dockweiler State Beach. Officials caution that these waters may pose health risks to those who come into contact with them.

Amid the crisis, officials have warned against looting in evacuated areas and price hikes at hotels housing displaced residents. Authorities are working to ensure safety and fair treatment for those affected by the disaster.

With containment efforts ongoing and weather conditions remaining unpredictable, authorities urge residents to stay informed and adhere to all evacuation and health advisories. Resources, including shelters and bottled water distributions, will continue to support those impacted by one of Los Angeles County’s most devastating wildfire events in recent history.

Los Angeles County officials have declared a local health emergency as wildfire smoke and ash blanket the region, severely deteriorating air quality. The county’s Department of Public Health issued the emergency declaration alongside a public health order, citing both immediate and long-term health risks from the hazardous air conditions.

The fires and strong winds have forced many residents to evacuate, with healthcare facilities also being impacted, disrupting vital services. The public health order includes a ban on the use of power air blowers, such as leaf blowers, to prevent further dispersal of ash, which poses a heightened risk to vulnerable populations, including individuals with respiratory conditions, older adults, and children.

Residents are urged to take precautionary measures such as staying indoors, sealing windows and doors, using air conditioning with filtration systems, and wearing masks if venturing outdoors. Pets should also be kept inside to avoid exposure to the smoky conditions.

Current Fire Updates and Containment Efforts

Efforts to control the fires have seen some progress, with containment lines being established to limit their spread. Here is the latest information:

• Fatalities and Damage: At least 11 people have lost their lives, according to the LA County Medical Examiner, with nearly 1,000 structures destroyed.
• Major Fires:
  • The Palisades Fire, the largest blaze, spans over 21,500 acres and is 8% contained.
  • The Eaton Fire has burned through more than 14,000 acres and remains only 3% contained.
  • The Kenneth Fire has scorched over 1,000 acres with 50% containment.
  • The Hurst Fire has affected 770 acres and is 70% contained.
  • The Lidia Fire, located in the hills north of LA, is 98% contained, covering 395 acres.
  • The Archer Fire, the newest blaze, started Friday and has burned 19 acres without containment.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an investigation into how water shortages may have hampered firefighting efforts.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited a fire relief center, offering support to first responders and displaced residents. Meanwhile, an evacuation warning for the Palisades Fire area has been upgraded to a mandatory evacuation order, now extending to Brentwood and Encino. The Getty Center, a world-renowned art gallery, is within the evacuation zone.

Germany and France have issued stern warnings to Donald Trump after the incoming U.S. president refused to rule out using military force to acquire Greenland, Denmark’s autonomous territory.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized the sanctity of national borders. “The principle of the inviolability of borders applies to every country, no matter its size or power,” he said. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the European Union would not tolerate threats to its sovereign borders.

Their remarks follow Trump’s repeated interest in Greenland, a desire he first voiced during his presidency in 2019. On Tuesday, he reiterated the Arctic island’s importance to U.S. national and economic security, describing it as “critical.”

Greenland’s Prime Minister, Mute Egede, who is advocating for independence from Denmark, has made it clear the territory is not for sale. Denmark, a NATO ally of the United States, has also firmly rejected any notion of selling Greenland.

Chancellor Scholz expressed “incomprehension” over Trump’s comments, highlighting the potential strain on NATO. “NATO remains the cornerstone of our defense and transatlantic relations,” he noted.

Barrot, speaking on France Inter radio, downplayed the likelihood of an invasion but warned of a growing global trend toward “survival of the fittest.” He urged Europe to “wake up and build up its strength” in the face of such provocations.

While Germany and France lead the EU, the bloc lacks its own defensive capabilities, relying instead on NATO, of which most member states, including Denmark, Germany, and France, are part.

During a press conference at Mar-a-Lago, less than two weeks before his second inauguration, Trump refused to rule out military or economic actions to acquire Greenland or even the Panama Canal. “No, I can’t assure you on either of those two,” he said in response to a question.