California is facing a wildfire crisis, with at least 24 people dead as flames continue to spread across the Los Angeles area. The Eaton Fire near Pasadena has claimed 16 lives, while 8 more fatalities are linked to the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades. These two fires are the most severe among several major blazes that have erupted since Tuesday.

Officials warn the death toll may rise further as emergency teams struggle to access all affected areas. Dangerous wind speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour are expected, adding to the already critical fire weather conditions.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has issued warnings about “life-threatening winds” and extremely low humidity across Southern California. These conditions make it easy for both existing and new fires to spread quickly.

Cal Fire has urged residents to stay vigilant, avoid activities that could spark fires, and ensure all open flames are properly extinguished.

The fires have already burned through nearly 163 square kilometers of land—almost the size of Washington D.C. Over 12,300 buildings have been damaged or destroyed, leaving many families homeless.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has called these wildfires the worst natural disaster in U.S. history due to their scale and cost. In response, he has signed an executive order to temporarily lift some environmental regulations, speeding up recovery efforts for destroyed homes and businesses.

Firefighters are bracing for even tougher days ahead as they work tirelessly to contain the fires. With dry conditions and powerful winds in the forecast, officials are urging everyone in affected areas to take precautions and stay safe.

The situation in California highlights the growing threat of wildfires, driven by changing climate conditions. The focus now is on preventing further loss of life and protecting as much as possible from the flames.