LOS ANGELES − The death toll from a devastating series of fires in Los Angeles County rose to 16, officials announced, as air crews used fire retardant and water to battle the Palisades Fire that threatened homes even closer to the heart of the city on Saturday.
On the fifth day since the Palisades Fire began, the largest of four active wildfires in Los Angeles County was encroaching on a major Southern California artery as the flames expanded to the northeast and officials warned of more extreme fire weather conditions this weekend. Meanwhile, 11 deaths had been attributed to the Eaton Fire, which had scorched more than 14,000 acres and was 15% contained Saturday evening.