16 Confirmed Fatalities in Los Angeles Wildfires, Officials Predict Deteriorating Conditions

Los Angeles, Jan 12 (NationPress) At least 16 fatalities have been reported, and more than 12,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed in the ongoing wildfires that ignited last week.

The authorities have cautioned that conditions are likely to worsen in the upcoming days as catastrophic wildfires persist across various regions of Los Angeles County, resulting in widespread disruptions, including school closures and the cancellation of entertainment, sports, and community events.

The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest public school district in the United States, closed its schools on Thursday and Friday to protect students and staff from hazardous air quality. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho stressed that the risks of commuting to school outweighed the benefits of attending, particularly for children with respiratory issues.

Several campuses near evacuation zones also faced power outages and low attendance prior to the announcements of closures.

"We had to evacuate, so our lives are a mess, and the whole city is at a standstill," said Pacific Palisades resident Kenneth, who only provided his first name to Xinhua, "but at least we're still alive."

Currently, six wildfires are still raging across Los Angeles County, scorching nearly 36,000 acres. One of the largest, the Palisades fire, has burned over 21,300 acres and has damaged or destroyed more than 5,300 structures to date.

On the east side of Los Angeles, fires in Eaton Canyon and Highland Park have impacted schools and homes, with damage reported to two elementary schools and parts of Palisades Charter High School. The Eaton Fire has consumed nearly 14,000 acres, affecting up to 5,000 structures.

Meanwhile, the entertainment industry has been significantly affected by the fires, power outages, and toxic air quality. Numerous film and TV productions currently in progress have been canceled, as well as various premieres and events due to the unpredictable spread of the fires and hazardous air quality.

On Tuesday, Amazon MGM Studios and Universal Studios canceled their respective premieres for 'Unstoppable' and 'Wolf Man'. Paramount and Max followed by canceling their Wednesday events for 'Better Man' and 'The Pitt'.

Apple TV+ opted to cancel the January 13 premiere of 'Severance Season 2', citing safety concerns for attendees and staff. Similarly, Sony/Tri-Star postponed the premiere of their comedy film 'One of Them Days', featuring Keke Palmer and SZA, while NBCUniversal canceled an all-day press event for several of its shows, including 'The Traitors' and 'Poker Face'.

Netflix also withdrew a planned music event for Emilia Perez, and Roadside Attractions canceled the January 9 premiere of 'The Last Showgirl', starring Pamela Anderson and Kiernan Shipka.

In the music industry, the iHeartRadio ALTer EGO festival, scheduled for Saturday and featuring bands like Fontaines D.C. and St. Vincent, was also canceled. Event organizers expressed concern for the affected community and gratitude to first responders.

The annual Oscar Nominations Announcement, AFI Awards luncheon, and the BAFTA Tea Party have likewise been postponed, indicating a broader impact on award-season events, according to Xinhua news agency.

The fires have also disrupted the sports landscape, causing the Los Angeles Lakers to postpone their Thursday home game against the Charlotte Hornets, and the Rams' playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings was relocated to Glendale, Arizona.

The NFL is closely monitoring air quality and its effects on training schedules for the Rams and Chargers. Several college sports events, including a basketball game at Pepperdine University, have also been postponed as campuses like Pepperdine's Malibu location faced restricted access due to the fires.

As of Friday, the wildfires have destroyed more than 12,300 structures and claimed at least 11 lives, with officials warning that the actual death toll may remain unclear until it is safe for investigators to access neighborhoods. Over 100,000 people are currently under evacuation orders, with tens of thousands more under advisories.