(Per ABC NEWS): Thousands of firefighters are continuing to battle several wildfires across 45 square miles of densely populated Los Angeles County, fueled by severe drought conditions and strong Santa Ana winds. About 105,000 people remain under mandatory evacuation orders and another 87,000 are under evacuation warnings.
The wildfires have killed at least 24 people with dozen others remain unaccounted for, as the fires swept through 40,000 acres in the greater Los Angeles area, destroying entire communities and more than 12,300 structures.
Evacuation orders for the largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, expanded. It is 13% contained and threatens Brentwood, Encino and Westwood. Los Angeles County declared a public health emergency, warning that smoke and particulate matter could pose immediate and long-term threats (via NBC News).
The National Weather Service Los Angeles office posted “particularly dangerous situation” (PDS) red flag winds warnings for 4 a.m. Tuesday (local time) through noon Wednesday, saying winds could be strong enough to cause “explosive fire growth.”
For the latest, up-to-date information on the Los Angeles wildfires, check news outlets: ABC News, NBC News, CBS News and CNN.
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