Death toll from California wildfires rises

Los Angeles [US], January 18: AFP yesterday cited new police figures saying the death toll from wildfires in the upscale Pacific Palisades and Altadena communities in Los Angeles County, California (USA) has risen to 27.
At a press conference on January 16 (US time), Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced that search teams were still sifting through the rubble to find victims, so the death toll could rise. Mr. Luna added that authorities were preventing people from going to some areas "because we believe there may be victims who are deceased."
Tens of thousands of people who fled their homes as wildfires raged through Los Angeles last week were told on Tuesday they would not be allowed to return for at least another week. Many were angry about rules that prevented them from returning, even to homes that had suffered little damage from the deadly blaze. Officials said they understood residents' frustration but asked for patience as power, gas and water lines were down, toxic waste was everywhere and there was a growing threat of dangerous mudslides.
Environmental Protection Agency crews began testing on Jan. 16 to remove pesticides, fuel and lithium batteries from the rubble before any cleanup can begin. Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella said structures that appeared to be intact after the fire could now be vulnerable to landslides and any heavy rain could be dangerous.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper