Mounted sheriff’s deputies scoured the charred remains of Los Angeles’ wildfire zones on Friday, searching for victims of the catastrophic blazes that have already claimed at least 27 lives. Dozens of people remain unaccounted for, adding urgency to the grim task.
As urban search teams with cadaver dogs meticulously combed through Altadena’s incinerated neighbourhoods, deputies on horseback ventured into Malibu’s rugged terrain to ensure no one had been overlooked. Authorities stressed the importance of thorough searches before reopening the affected areas to the public.
Ten days after the fires erupted, tens of thousands of evacuees remain in limbo, unable to return home due to risks such as toxic pollution and potential landslides. Many, like Nina Madok, who lost her Pacific Palisades home, expressed frustration with officials.
“We need local leaders to answer our questions now… not these charlatans,” she said after an information meeting for evacuees that she described as “worthless.”
Officials estimated it could be at least a week before residents could safely return home, even those spared by the flames.
Across Los Angeles, signs and gestures of gratitude for firefighters and first responders have multiplied. Thousands of firefighters are working tirelessly to extinguish remaining hotspots across the 40,000 acres ravaged by the fires—an area nearly the size of Washington, D.C.
One viral video showed diners in Calabasas giving a standing ovation to uniformed firefighters, whose meals were reportedly paid for by fellow patrons and the restaurant.
The widespread appreciation contrasts sharply with the divisive national political climate. US President-elect Donald Trump has criticized California’s Democratic leadership and threatened to withhold federal disaster aid unless his policy demands are met.
High-profile residents, including actor Eric Braeden of The Young and the Restless, spoke out. Braeden, whose Pacific Palisades home was destroyed, rebuked critics of California.
Tennis legend Pam Shriver, who evacuated her home, revealed that thieves had stolen a car containing 16 major tennis trophies, including five US Open awards. She made a heartfelt plea for their return, saying, “This is not the time to give people even more stress and worry.”
Authorities have arrested dozens for looting in the disaster’s aftermath, with nine individuals formally charged.
