Deaths have risen to 24, with local media now reporting as raging wildfires continued in Los Angeles County through the most catastrophic 'Black Swan' event to date of that scale ever experienced in the United States' most populous county.
Of the fires burning actively, the Palisades Fire has already torched 19,978 acres (80.85 square km) with just six percent containment as of Thursday night, Xinhua news agency reported. The Eaton Fire has also torched 13,690 acres (55.4 square km) and remains completely uncontained, the Xinhua news agency reported.
For Michael, the accountant resident in Altadena where the Eaton Fire erupted, everything has changed. He was evacuated in the nick of time and his house was burnt.
"It is Armageddon, living through the Armageddon," he said, choking back at his own tears. "Everything is gone.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said the wildfires - which started Tuesday night are the most aggressive of any county's ever, with over 10,000 structures destroyed so far, and that most buildings have been destroyed due to the Palisades and Eaton fires.
Thursday evening, officials from Malibu said the first confirmed Palisades Fire casualty was reported on Thursday. An investigation is conducted to determine cause of death.
Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart said of the tragedy:
"This weighs really heavy on all our hearts"
There are now four major wildfires still being fought over: the Eaton Fire, the Hurst Fire, burning out of control in Sylmar, and in the Hollywood Hills, the Sunset Fire, besides the Palisades Fire burning in Malibu.
While some progress has been made in controlling the Eaton Fire, strong winds reaching 100 km per hour have made containing the Palisades Fire particularly challenging.
Officials hope calmer weather conditions will improve containment efforts, though the National Weather Service has warned of critical fire weather persisting through Friday night.
The fires have resulted in the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, with at least 70,000 homes under threat and 10,000 destroyed. Looting has been reported in some evacuation zones, with multiple arrests made.
Dorothy, a retired school administrator who had lived in Pacific Palisades for 40 years, lost her home and everything in it.
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