The death toll climbed to 16 in the Southern California wildfires on Saturday, and that number is expected to rise as cadaver dogs go through leveled neighborhoods. The massive Palisades fire now stretches to more than 21,500 acres and is only 11% contained. The Eaton Fire has expanded to more than 14,100 acres with 15% containment.
Winds shifted the fires on Saturday, prompting more evacuations as the Palisades fire edged toward the Brentwood neighborhood and San Fernando Valley foothills.
Meanwhile, more than 50,000 Los Angeles residents are demanding the ouster of mayor Karen Bass in a new petition, ripping her “gross mismanagement” of the disaster response.
Residents have begun returning to their homes, only to find debris and rubble in the densely populated, 25-mile expanse north of downtown Los Angeles.
Many residents were already facing hardship after State Farm dropped close to 1,600 policies in Pacific Palisades in July, reflecting a trend among private insurers to drop California policies or halt underwriting.