Firefighters Still Have Difficulty Controlling Fires, Los Angeles Fire Death Toll Increases

Los Angeles fire. (Wikimedia Commons/Cal FIRE_Official)

JAKARTA - Firefighters are still struggling to control the blaze that has burned most areas of Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles, California, United States to the ground, while the fire that spreads and strong winds still threatens the public on Sunday.

The plane dropped water and fire extinguisher chemicals in the steep hills to stem the spread of the Palisaades Fire to the east. KTLA television reports that ground officials have managed to save a number of houses, although several other houses were destroyed.

"LA County is experiencing an unforgettable night of terror and sadness," Los Angeles County watchdog Lindsey Horvath said.

Six fires that occurred simultaneously hit the second largest city in the US since Tuesday last week, killing at least 14 people (increased from the previous 13) to Sunday morning. At least 16 others are believed to be missing.

Meanwhile, California Governor Gavin Newsom estimates the death toll will increase.

"I have deployed the SAR team. We have also deployed corpse sniffer dogs and there are probably many more," he told NBC's "Meet the Press" program.

The Governor of Newsom added that the fire is likely to be the worst natural disaster in US history "in terms of costs associated with it."

Separately, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said in Sunday's interview that active military personnel were ready to support fire fighting efforts, adding the agency had urged residents to start filing disaster relief.

"We have funds to support this response, to support this recovery," he told ABC's "This Week" program.

The fire has damaged or destroyed 12,000 buildings, firefighters said.

As of Sunday, more than 100,000 people in Los Angeles County have been ordered to evacuate, while another 87,000 face evacuation warnings.

The fire has burned the entire environment into burning debris, destroying the homes of wealthy and famous people as well as ordinary people, and leaving a terrible sight.

Over the past 24 hours, the Palisades Fire spread to an area of 1,000 hectares (400 hectares), setting more houses on fire, officials reported.

Cal Fire Officer Todd Hopkins said, although 11 percent of the Palisaades Fire was now under control, the fire had burned more than 22,000 hectares (8,900 hectares).

Hopkins said at a news conference the fire had spread to Mandeville levy and threatened to spread to Brentwood, a high-end environment that is home to many celebrities, and the San Fernando Valley. The fire is also moving slowly towards the north-south-south-freeway 405.