Fresh woe for LA as fire roars towards celeb hotspot of Brentwood and 405 freeway partially closes: Live Updates
By BETHAN SEXTON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
Published: | Updated:
Californians face new danger from the devastating wildfires as the largest of the blazes continues to spread.
The disaster has already killed at least eleven people and destroyed more than 10,000 structures.
Now the expansion of the Palisades fire in Los Angeles has partially closed the 405 Freeway as flames begin to encroach on the famed Mandeville Canyon and Brentwood neighborhoods.
As of Thursday evening, Los Angeles County was still battling at least six major fires, most of which were barely contained.
The extent of the destruction has prompted locals to demand answers from officials, amid reports that fire hydrants were running dry in some of the worst-hit areas.
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The official death toll rises to 11 and is expected to rise
The official number of deaths from the Los Angeles wildfires rose to eleven on Friday evening.
Five deaths were linked to the Palisades fire, while the rest were the result of the Eaton fire, according to the LA medical examiner’s office.
Cadaver dogs are being deployed to comb through bulldozed neighborhoods as officials warned the actual death toll is likely to rise.
The dead included 85, who were ordered to evacuate but wanted to stay behind with her pets, CNN reported.
Her body was discovered in her car on Wednesday.
LA fire chief ‘holds on to her job’ amid criticism over wildfire handling
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley is keeping her job, according to sources, after hugging staff goodbye and meeting with the mayor.
A source initially told DailyMail.com on Friday afternoon that the fire chief had been fired, but the mayor’s office told ABC7 that Crowley still had her job.
The office’s official statement to the outlet said the pair “met,” without any reference to whether Crowley remained in her position.
The petition calling for the resignation of LA Mayor Karen Bass has attracted more than 53,000 signatures
A petition demanding the “immediate” resignation of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has collected more than 53,000 signatures in just three days.
Bass is among those who have been dragged over the coals for their handling of the bushfires currently raging through the city.
Questions are mounting about why LA and California officials failed to prepare for the disaster when they had ample warning of advancing winds.
Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Bass have been eviscerated for their handling of the disaster, from empty fire hydrants to a lack of firefighters and empty reservoirs in the heart of the flames.
Helicopters are battling the Palisades Fire as it continues to spread toward Brentwood and Mandeville Canyon
Helicopters have been fighting unsuccessfully to contain the massive Palisades Fire currently ravaging parts of Los Angeles.
The fast-spreading fire is now beginning to spread into the famed Mandeville Canyon and Brentwood neighborhoods, partially closing the 405 Freeway.
As of Friday evening, the flames had burned 21,317 hectares and were only 8% contained.
More than 150,000 people also remained under evacuation orders.
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