The fire in Los Angeles continues to rage, posing a risk of spreading further.

A massive fire continues to rage in the prestigious Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. Weather complications are expected soon, which may increase the area affected by the blaze.

This is reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Reuters.

Firefighters battled the flames on Saturday, January 11, as the fire spread an additional 1,000 acres overnight. Residents have been warned of potential worsening weather conditions in the next 72 hours, which could lead to further flare-ups.

California fire service representative Todd Hopkins noted that while 11% of the fire in Palisades has been contained, it has engulfed more than 22,000 acres (8,900 hectares).

According to Hopkins, the fire has also spread to the Mandeville Canyon area. The flames could jump to Brentwood, an elite neighborhood where celebrities live and play.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stated that 153,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, and another 166,000 residents have been warned of possible evacuation. The disaster threatens 57,000 structures.

Luna added that his department has sent 40 search-and-rescue team members to collaborate with other agencies. Among them are service dogs for locating victims' remains and assisting in reuniting families that have been separated.

"Los Angeles County has endured another night of incredible horror and heartbreak," said Los Angeles County leader Lindsey Horvath.

On Friday evening, the strong Santa Ana winds that fueled the fire weakened. However, the fire in the Palisades on the city's western edge shifted in a new direction as winds from the Pacific Ocean threatened the densely populated foothills of the San Fernando Valley.

Fires in Los Angeles

On Tuesday, January 7, six fires broke out in various parts of Los Angeles. Over the course of several days, they collectively covered more than 36,000 acres (14,500 hectares), or 56 square miles, which is 2.5 times the size of Manhattan.

On January 8, a state of emergency was declared in California. U.S. President Joe Biden canceled his visit to Italy due to the disaster.

The most destructive fire in Los Angeles history has leveled entire neighborhoods and left smoldering ruins of what once were homes and possessions.

The fires claimed the lives of at least 11 people and damaged or destroyed 10,000 buildings. At least 13 individuals are considered missing.

The private forecasting company AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic losses at $135-150 billion, indicating a challenging recovery and a rapid increase in homeowners' insurance costs.