Death toll expected to rise, says LA county sheriff Robert Luna
LA county sheriff Robert Luna was asked to provide more details on his earlier statement that he was not satisfied with the current death toll numbers.
“I want to be more confident in the specific information,” he responded, adding that he wants to make sure that figures are “solid” before sharing them.
“Unfortunately, I think the death toll will rise. I hope I’m wrong, but I think it’s going to rise,” he said.
Key events
Johana Bhuiyan
Elon Musk said Starlink, the SpaceX-owned satellite internet provider, will begin to offer free terminals to areas affected by the fires starting Friday.
Musk posted the announcement on X in response to a video of a local FOX 11 news reporter saying the station is relying on Starlink in order to broadcast the news.
“The only reason you’re able to see us right now is because of Starlink connection we just got today,” she said. “There’s absolutely no cell service at all in this whole area.”
Starlink uses physical terminals to connect to a constellation of satellites to provide internet around the world.
Musk has previously offered these connections to people in times of emergencies. He made Starlink internet free for those impacted by Hurricane Helene and Milton until the end of the year and reports indicate SpaceX at the time distributed thousands of the receivers necessary to connect to Starlink.
It’s unclear how the company will determine who and where to distribute the terminals tomorrow and how long those who gain access to them will be able to connect to the internet for free.
We’ve reached out to SpaceX for comment and clarity.
Drone footage from a Los Angeles neighbourhood shows rows of houses completely destroyed.
Death toll expected to rise, says LA county sheriff Robert Luna
LA county sheriff Robert Luna was asked to provide more details on his earlier statement that he was not satisfied with the current death toll numbers.
“I want to be more confident in the specific information,” he responded, adding that he wants to make sure that figures are “solid” before sharing them.
“Unfortunately, I think the death toll will rise. I hope I’m wrong, but I think it’s going to rise,” he said.
LA mayor sidesteps question over disaster response, saying ‘focus is to protect lives’
LA mayor Karen Bass, in the news conference, was asked if she believed her leadership had been effective in responding to the disaster, and to explain the “fear and confusion” when the fires began.
“My number one focus is to protect lives,” she responded.
“Rest assured, when that is done … we will absolutely do an evaluation to look at what worked, what didn’t work, and to correct or to hold accountable any body, department, individual.”
Nearly 200,000 customers have had their power restored but about 95,000 customers are still without power, LA department of water and power CEO Janisse Quinones said.
Some 118 DWP crews are working around the clock to restore power as fast and as safe as possible, she said.
A boil water notice remains in effect for Palisades for at least another 48 hours, she said.
The city’s reservoirs were used last night to support aerial fire attacks, LA County public works director Mark Pestrella said. Those reservoirs continue to be ready and at the disposal of firefighting personnel, he said.
He noted that LA’s municipal water system continues to suffer poor water quality due to ash and debris.
He said officials will be actively coming into communities in the next days to deliver water. He said residents in some areas are advised to boil water, and warned against people trying to create their own water or power systems at water.
Fires cause ‘significant’ damage to water, power and transportation systems
The water, power and transportation systems in Los Angeles have all been “significantly” damaged because of the fires, LA County public works director Mark Pestrella said.
He warned that there is a “tremendous” amount of debris throughout the communities, and that the debris can be hazardous and toxic.
Pacific Palisades fire scenes described as ‘apocalyptic’
LA County district attorney Nathan Hochman described the scenes as she visited the Pacific Palisades yesterday as “apocalyptic”.
“Not since the 1990s when Los Angeles was hit with the fires, the flood, the earthquake and the riots, have I seen such disaster occur here in our city,” he said.
He said he had a clear message for people who want to loot, commit burglary, engage in grand theft or internet scams.
“You will be arrested, you will be prosecuted, and you will be punished to the full extent of the law,” he said.
These acts are “despicable”, he said. “It’s a huge deal. We will prosecute them with maximum punishment.”
LA City police chief Jim McDonnell warned that the air is not health for people who experience respiratory challenges.
He said he expected evacuations to continue when the winds pick up. “We’re thankful for the wind conditions we have now,” he said.
Nearly 180,000 people under evacuation orders across LA county
Nearly 180,000 people in Los Angeles county are currently under evacuation orders, LA county sheriff Robert Luna said.
About 200,000 people are under evacuation warnings, he said.
He emphasized that residents who are asked to evacuate must follow warnings. “Please, if you’re told to evacuate, evacuate.”
LA county sheriff says there is a lack of clarity over death toll
LA county sheriff Robert Luna said he was “not satisfied” with the information that he has been receiving about preliminary death toll numbers.
Officials have said that at least five people have been killed by the fires.
Luna said authorities will conduct a more thorough search of impacted areas, noting that some “look like a bomb was dropped on them”.
He asked for patience regarding the death toll, and said his office is working with the coroner’s office. “Right now, frankly, we don’t know yet,” he said.
“This is a crisis and we don’t know what to expect, but we’re ready for everything,” he said.
LA county sheriff Robert Luna noted that this is a “fluid and evolving crisis” and that numbers released will fluctuate.
“We’re getting information from our boots on the ground. It’s very chaotic out here, because it’s so fluid,” he said.
He said that 20 arrests have been made so far but that he expects that number to go up.
“Our first choice isn’t to do enforcement. It’s not to make arrests. It’s to help people, but if people choose to commit crimes, they’re going to be held accountable,” he said.