Day 8 of Los Angeles Wildfires, Death Toll Reaches 25

SEAToday.com, Jakarta – Wildfires in Los Angeles County, California, United States, have claimed 25 lives as of the eighth day, Tuesday (1/14). The death toll was confirmed by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office on Tuesday. Of the 25 fatalities, nine were reported in the Palisades area and 16 in Eaton.

The National Weather Service (NWS) had also warned residents to be cautious of strong winds forecasted for Tuesday night through Wednesday.

Meanwhile, emergency alerts remain active, urging residents to stay vigilant about their surroundings.

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), the wildfires in Eaton and Palisades have now become the most destructive in Southern California’s history.

The fires, which have ravaged areas in Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst, have scorched about 60 square miles of land—an area larger than Paris.

As of Tuesday night, more than 23,700 acres have been burned in Palisades, with only 18 percent of the fire contained.

In Eaton, 14,117 acres have been destroyed, with containment efforts reaching 35 percent.

Robert Fenton, FEMA Region 9 Administrator, stated that over 40,000 assistance requests had been received from individuals affected by the California wildfires.

His remarks came after U.S. President Joe Biden announced that affected residents would receive a one-time relief payment of $770 (approximately IDR 12.5 million).