Jan. 28 (UPI) — The death toll from wildfires that have been raging near Los Angeles since early this month rose to 29 on Monday, officials said.
The death toll had remained at 28 since Tuesday. The medical examiner for the county of Los Angeles announced the additional death in a statement Monday, stating it was informed of the casualty caused by the Palisades fire over the weekend.
The Palisades fire, which erupted Jan. 7, has consumed nearly 23,500 acres, destroying 6,837 structures in its path. It has killed 12 people and injured at least four others, including one firefighter.
As of about 5:30 p.m. PST Monday, the blaze, which has prompted evacuations, was 95% contained.
“Crews continue to perform tactical patrol around structures and provide for public safety, while identifying and tagging any hazardous materials,” the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, better known as Cal Fire, said in an update.
It said the Palisades fire will be turned over to Los Angeles county at 8 a.m. PST Tuesday.
The Eaton fire, which also erupted Jan. 7, has killed 17 people. As of Monday evening, it was 99% contained, according to Cal Fire. It had burned more than 14,000 acres and destroyed 9,418 structures. Nine firefighters have been injured fighting the blaze.
The Hughes fire, burning near Castaic Lake about 45 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, erupted Wednesday and has since grown to 10,425 acres. As of Monday night, it was 98% contained.
