Los Angeles Wildfires : Death Toll Rises As Declared Public Health Emergency

Smoky air has made breathing difficult for some and presents health risks to those suffering from asthma, heart disease or respiratory illnesses. UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk has asked students working remotely from UCLA campuses to work remotely while warning those near evacuation zones to prepare to evacuate immediately.

Weather improvements and firefighting efforts have allowed some residents to return to their homes or assess damage, but winds are expected to pick up again, creating “particularly hazardous” conditions.

Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office

At least 16 people have been killed since Los Angeles area wildfires ignited last week, according to officials. Victims include a hang-gliding pilot, father and son duo and former child actor; relatives have started coming forward to identify those lost but the full death count won’t be known until investigators can access areas devastated by fire and windstorms.

Officials report that many more people remain under evacuation orders in Southern California due to more destructive winds expected to reignite flames across vast swaths of the state. Blazes have already claimed over 12,000 structures including homes and businesses since last Wednesday; their rapid spread a result of dry climate conditions creating conditions conducive to rapid fire spread as Southern California struggles to recover from devastating droughts.

Fires fuelled by Santa Ana winds expected to return this week have burned over 230,000 acres quickly in recent days and forced thousands of people from their homes, forcing thousands more from being forced from them until late next week when officials expect the flames to be contained.

Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office announced they are setting up a temporary morgue to house the rising number of bodies that are being recovered from areas devastated by fires. Two mobile refrigeration trailers will be brought in, while the state Office of Emergency Services sent 88 similar units directly into hard-hit regions.

As residents begin assessing the damage from this week’s wildfires, some are now facing the harsh reality of losing their homes and businesses – an obstacle which may take years to overcome. Flames forced people out of longtime residences in once picturesque neighborhoods; thousands remain without power; hundreds of miles of roads have been shut down – including LAX’s main highway connecting it with other parts of California; hundreds of roads remain blocked.

Los Angeles County Fire Department

Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACOFD) provides firefighting and emergency medical services for unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County as well as, through contracts, to 59 cities without their own fire departments. It is commonly known as “LA City Fire” to distinguish it from Los Angeles City Fire Department which serves the incorporated parts of Los Angeles city proper and surrounding metropolitan area.

California’s West Region Wildfires have claimed 16 lives and destroyed more than 37,000 structures since October 2018. Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds which brought temperatures as high as 100 degrees, making it impossible for firefighters to contain the flames.

As smoke from fires spreads throughout the area, health officials warn residents to remain indoors and reduce time spent outdoors. Children, the elderly, those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions and those who take medications such as corticosteroids are particularly at risk, according to health officials; symptoms of exposure include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

Fires have forced hundreds of residents out of their homes and continue to burn through Pacific Palisades neighborhoods, leaving piles of burned rubble and vehicles behind in its wake. One resident compared the scene to war-ravaged Dresden following its bombing during World War II.

Another blaze, known as the Eaton fire, has claimed at least five lives east of Pasadena and is only about 33% contained. Additionally, other fires are burning in mountains north of Los Angeles and Ventura County.

Governor Gavin Newsom recently increased the deployment of National Guard troops in support of local first responders, more than doubling what had originally been assigned for fighting fires. His deployment is scheduled to last through this week.

United States Department of Health and Human Services

After Los Angeles wildfires claimed 24 lives and destroyed over 100,000 homes since November, the federal government has taken steps to assist residents rebuild. On Friday, Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency due to their impact. Medicare and Medicaid providers can take advantage of this emergency status to meet emergency health needs of enrollees more efficiently; and its Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) unit stands ready to deploy responders and medical equipment as required.

According to a new count by the county medical examiner, 24 people have died as a result of Los Angeles wildfires since October, most being linked with Eaton fire zone in Altadena and Pasadena and one linked with Palisades fire in Pacific Palisades; names have been withheld pending notification of victims’ families; death toll may increase further as teams with cadaver dogs continue their grid searches.

Weather improvements may provide firefighters with temporary respite, but officials cautioned of potential dangers still lurking ahead. Smoky conditions could remain for days; accordingly, sheriff said that people should prepare themselves for further evacuations and remain vigilant.

He advised people to remain aware of air quality and take extra caution when working outdoors, since smoke contains harmful toxins such as volatile organic compounds and fine particles that pose health threats. He warned elderly, young children and people with breathing or heart conditions to be particularly wary when working outside.

California’s chronic drought has rendered the state more prone to extreme weather events and extreme firefighting efforts, prompting state officials to ask the National Guard for more help in fighting fires. These blazes serve as a stark reminder of that vulnerability. As such, state officials have requested an increase in National Guard troops helping in firefighting efforts.