The number of fatalities from the devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles in January has risen to 30, following the discovery of additional human remains in Altadena, authorities confirmed.
In a statement released Wednesday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office reported that a team was dispatched to Altadena to examine suspected human remains.
“The remains were confirmed to be human,” the office stated. “The death toll related to the wildfires is now 30 – 18 in the Eaton Fire and 12 in the Palisades.”
The wildfires, which raged for three weeks, forced thousands of residents to flee as flames tore through some of Los Angeles County’s most affluent communities, including Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Altadena.
Officials estimate that the blazes scorched over 37,000 acres (150 square kilometers) and destroyed more than 10,000 homes, with damages expected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars.
“These fires were some of the most destructive in our city’s history,” said a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department. “The scale of loss is heartbreaking, and our thoughts remain with those who lost loved ones.”
The Palisades and Eaton fires both ignited on January 7, but authorities have yet to determine the exact cause. However, experts point to climate change as a key factor in the disaster.
“Years of reduced rainfall, dry vegetation, and worsening drought conditions created the perfect storm for these fires,” said Dr. Laura Martinez, a climate scientist. “Add in the Santa Ana winds, and you have an extremely dangerous situation.”
Nearly three months after the fires were extinguished, cleanup efforts are still underway across the affected areas. Officials are working to remove hazardous debris, including toxic materials from burned structures.
“Restoring these communities will take time,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas. “But we are committed to helping families rebuild their lives.”
