LA wildfire death toll rises to 24 — Eaton blaze now fifth-deadliest in California’s history

The death toll from the still-raging Los Angeles wildfires has risen to 24 people with at least 16 still missing, according to a tragic update from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner Sunday evening.

The majority of the victims — 16 — were killed in the Eaton Fire, while eight were killed by the Palisades Fire — the two largest of the fires devouring the county. With the new death toll, the Eaton Fire is now the fifth-deadliest wildfire in California’s history.

Only two of the victims, 84-year-old Charles Mortimer and 66-year-old Victor Shaw, have been identified in the update. Mortimer died in the hospital of smoke inhalation and thermal injuries and Shaw died of the same cause outside his Altadena home, according to the medical examiner. 

Shaw’s burned remains were found with a garden hose still in his hands as family members said he stayed behind to try to save his home of 55 years. 

At least seven other people have been identified by the public and other local departments so far. 

Many of the victims lived just blocks apart from one another in the same neighborhood, Altadena, which is historically black and working class. 

According to the medical examiner, 16 of the victims were killed in Altadena, four in Malibu, one in Pacific Palisades, one in Palisades, one in Topanga, and one in a hospital death without a specified origin location.

With many people still missing, the death toll is expected to grow. 

A dozen of those reported missing are from the Eaton fire zone and the other four are from the Palisades area. No children are among the missing, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.

Authorities expect that the number of missing will rise as families continue to report new cases.

Investigators are still trying to figure out if any of the missing match up with the deceased.

About 150,000 people in Los Angeles County remained under evacuation orders Sunday and more than 700 residents are taking refuge in nine shelters, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.

By Sunday morning, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth and Hurst fires had consumed more than 62 square miles, an area larger than San Francisco. 

The Palisades Fire was 11% contained and the Eaton Fire reached 27% containment. Those two infernos alone decimated 59 square miles. Hurst and Kenneth destroyed only three between them. 

Nine other states and Mexico have sent in additional fire crews to help combat the blazes and assist with ongoing operations, including recovery of the missing and deceased. Together, there are over 14,000 personnel on the ground combatting the four wildfires.

With Post wires