The death toll from the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area has risen to 29, officials confirmed on Monday evening.
The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office reported that one individual succumbed to injuries over the weekend following the “Palisades” fire, which has swept through the western edge of Los Angeles.
Residents of the Pacific Palisades district were permitted to return to their homes on Monday for the first time since the fire began. This update came after Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced the development via the X platform, formerly known as Twitter.
While much-needed rain and snow fell in the nearby mountains, meteorologist Ryan Kittell noted that the precipitation, though helpful, was insufficient to officially end the fire season. He stated that the rainfall provided a temporary reprieve from fire-conducive weather.
Authorities, however, warned of potential flooding, as the parched ground struggles to absorb water after an extended dry period. Several roads in the region were temporarily closed on Monday due to flooding and mudslides. Fortunately, the heaviest rainfall was concentrated over the ocean, mitigating the impact on already devastated areas.
Officials reported significant progress in containing the wildfires, with the Palisades fire now 95% contained and the Eaton fire, near Pasadena, at 99% containment.
Since the beginning of January, the two fires have destroyed more than 16,000 buildings and scorched over 150 square kilometers of land.
The causes of the wildfires remain under investigation.
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