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Key Points
- Firefighters are facing winds of up to 112km/h in their week-long battle against deadly Los Angeles blazes.
- Firefighters are “absolutely better prepared” for extreme winds, LA County fire chief Anthony Marrone says.
- At least 24 people have died, and with dozens still missing the death toll is expected to rise.
“We must not let our guard down, as we have, right now, extreme fire behaviour.”
Firefighters ‘better prepared’
However, the return of high winds is threatening the hard-won progress that crews have made in containing the fires so far.
North of the city, the Hurst Fire is 95 per cent contained, and three other fires that had ravaged other parts of the county are now 100 per cent contained.
“They said 112km/h winds. It’s going to be very difficult to contain that fire.”
Since 7 January, several fires have ravaged residential areas across Los Angeles. Source: AAP / Middle East Images/ABACA/PA
Death toll predicted to rise
More than two dozen people are reported missing, authorities said.
California governor Gavin Newsom has said the firestorm could rank as the most devastating natural disaster in US history.
