The Los Angeles County coroner’s office confirmed 16 fatalities—five from the Palisades Fire and 11 from the Eaton Fire. Authorities fear the number could climb as search teams with cadaver dogs comb through devastated neighborhoods. Over 62 square miles have burned across Los Angeles County, including 59 square miles consumed by the Palisades and Eaton fires alone. The wildfires have reduced more than 12,000 structures, including homes, businesses, and vehicles, to ash. --Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, facing what could be her toughest leadership test, held a press conference with Fire Chief Kristin Crowley to provide updates. Crowley did not mince words, blaming the city’s aging infrastructure for hampering firefighting efforts. “When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there’s going to be water,” she said, criticizing the reservoir system that was offline during the crisis. --https://mxmnews.com/article/12d166de-685e-4959-af9c-58e663759fb0
