Los Angeles wildfires: Death toll reaches 10, National Guard brought in over ‘loot’ in affected posh LA areas

The death toll from the wildfires in Los Angeles in United States’ California has reached 10, according to county coroner’s office cited in a news agency reports on Friday.

In an aerial view, destroyed homes are seen as the Palisades Fire continues to burn on January 09, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California.(Getty Images via AFP)

The series of fires that started spreading on Tuesday continue to ravage southern California, leaving a trail of devastation across the Los Angeles area, which is home to America’s film industry ‘Hollywood’.

“The Department of Medical Examiner received notification of 10 fire-related deaths as of 9 pm on January 9,” news agency AFP cited the statement, adding: “All cases are currently pending identification and legal next of kin notification.”

While the exact death toll remains unclear, it is expected to rise as rescue teams search the rubble.

Firefighters are still battling multiple blazes fueled by strong winds, leading to widespread destruction, loss of life, and displacement, including some Hollywood celebrities who resided at the plush areas and have lost their residences to the fires.

With over 10,000 structures burned, authorities have been working tirelessly to contain the flames.

In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, a man waves on the beach in front of burned homes during the Palisades fire in the Malibu, Los Angeles county, (AFP)

‘Looting’ prompts National Guard deployment

As the destruction spread, the California National Guard prepared be deployed in response to rising concerns over disorder in the city.

While firefighting efforts continued into the night, bolstered by helicopters and a temporary lull in winds, reports of looting emerged, prompting local authorities to take action.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced plans for a nighttime curfew, with National Guard troops deployed to patrol affected areas, according to an AFP report. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasised the state’s commitment to using all available resources, including the National Guard, to protect evacuated communities in the coming days.

“And to those who would seek to take advantage of evacuated communities, let me be clear: looting will not be tolerated,” Newsom said.

Firefighters work with water hoses near houses burned down in the Palisades Fire along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, January 9, 2025. (AFP)

Sheriff Luna stressed that looting would not be tolerated, with officers patrolling evacuation zones and making arrests if necessary. However, in the face of widespread destruction, some evacuees feared that law enforcement was stretched too thin, leading some to take matters into their own hands.

One resident, Nicholas Norman, armed himself with a shotgun after spotting suspicious individuals near his home, taking precautions to defend his property.

Pasadena, Altadena, Palisades worst hit

Many of the towering fires began Tuesday were driven by powerful dry winds called ‘Santa Ana’, which gusted to hurricane-like speeds of more than 70 mph (112 kph) at some spots.

The winds dropped Thursday, but the National Weather Service warned that even the reduced gusts could still spread fire rapidly and the wind is expected to strengthen again Thursday evening, an AP report said, adding that another round of strong winds may form Tuesday.

The worst hit in the Los Angeles wildfires were posh hilly coastal neighborhood Pacific Palisades, dotted with celebrity houses, Pasadena and Altadena. Over 5,300 structures have been damaged or destroyed in Pacific Palisades, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.

Dozens of blocks were flattened to smoldering rubble, with only the outlines of homes and their chimneys left.

A chimney stands against the back wall of a house reduced to ashes in the Palisades Fire,along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, January 9, 2025. (AFP)

Over 30 square miles (77 square kilometers) burned in Pacific Palisades.

The Eaton Fire north of Pasadena charred more than 5,000 structures, which includes homes, apartment or commercial buildings and vehicles. Five school campuses in Altadena were substantially damaged and more than 21 square miles (54 square kilometers) were scorched.