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By Sonam Sheth
Evening Politics Editor
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At least 24 people have died since a series of devastating wildfires, exacerbated by the Santa Ana winds, began ravaging Southern California this month.
The Context
There are currently three active wildfires raging in Los Angeles County and the National Weather Service forecasts that the coming days could be "particularly dangerous" as the region braces for more severe winds starting Monday night.
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These winds could lead to "explosive fire growth," the NWS said as it issued red flag warnings for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
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What To Know
The Palisades fire has engulfed 23,713 acres and is the most destructive fire in LA's history. The Eaton fire erupted in Altadena shortly after the Palisades fire and has burned 14,117 acres.
The Hurst fire erupted the same day as the Palisades and Eaton fires and covers 799 acres, but as of Monday it's been almost fully contained. The Palisades fire is 14 percent contained as of Monday afternoon and the Eaton fire is 33 percent contained.
Eight people died as a result of the Palisades fire and 16 people died in the Eaton fire, the Los Angeles County medical examiner said in a news release.
Who Has Died in the California Wildfires?
Here's what we know about the victims who have been identified by Los Angeles County:
- Charles Mortimer, 84, died in a hospital on January 8 as a result of the Palisades fire. Mortimer died from a heart attack, smoke inhalation and burns, the medical examiner said.
- Victor Shaw, 66, died in the Eaton fire. The medical examiner listed Shaw's cause of death as smoke inhalation and thermal injuries and said he died at his home.
The Los Angeles Times identified a number of other victims who died in the Los Angeles wildfires but whose deaths have not been officially confirmed by the county. They include:
- 83-year-old Erliene Louise Kelley, a retired pharmacist whose granddaughter described her as a "really sweet" woman who "knew everybody in the city." Kelley died in Altadena, The Times reported.
- Randall Miod, 55, died in the Palisades fire, according to the report. His friends recalled him as a "fun-loving" and joyful man.
- Anthony Mitchell Sr., who was in his early 70s, died in the Eaton fire while he was waiting to be evacuated, The Times reported.
- Justin Mitchell, who was Anthony Mitchell Sr.'s son, died with his father as they huddled in their Altadena home.
- Rodney Kent Nickerson, 82, died in Altadena in the Eaton fire. His daughter, Kimiko Nickerson, told KCAL that her father refused to leave his home when the Eaton fire erupted on January 7.
- Annette Rossilli, who was in her 80s, died in her car in the Palisades fire after declining to evacuate with others, The Times said.
- Rory Sykes, 32, was a former Australian child actor who died in the wildfires. Sykes was blind and had cerebral palsy and his mother, Shelley, told Australian media that she desperately tried to save her son but was unable to. "I'm totally heartbroken," Shelley Sykes wrote in an X post. "British born Australian living in America, a wonderful son, a gift born on mine & his grandmas birthday 29 July 92, Rory Callum Sykes." She went on to say that she "couldn't put out the cinders on his roof with a hose because the water was switched off by @LVMWD Las Virgenes Municipal Water. Even the 50 brave fire fighters had no water all day!"
What People Are Saying
House Speaker Mike Johnson told reporters he wants "conditions" on aid to California: "I think we've got to have a serious conversation about that. Obviously, there has been water resource mismanagement ... mistakes, all sorts of problems. And it does come down to leadership and it appears to us that state and local leaders were derelict in their duty in many respects. So that's something that has to be factored in. I think there should probably be conditions on that aid."
More than 124,000 people have signed a Change.org petition demanding that Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass resign as she and Governor Gavin Newsom face mounting criticism over the state and city's fire response: "We, the undersigned residents of Los Angeles and concerned citizens, urgently call for the immediate recall of Mayor Karen Bass due to her gross mismanagement and failure to effectively respond to the devastating 2025 fires in and around the city of Los Angeles," the petition said.
President Joe Biden said the White House remains "laser focused" on helping survivors and offered condolences to the families of those who have died: "Our hearts ache for the 24 innocent souls we have lost in the wildfires across Los Angeles. Jill and I pray for them and their loved ones."
What Happens Next
There is a red flag warning in place for parts of Los Angeles and the NWS forecasts wind gusts of up to 70mph between 4 a.m. Tuesday and noon Wednesday, which could lead to "explosive fire growth."
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