LA fires: Biden ‘deeply saddened’ as death toll rises to 24

Firefighting crews brace for dangerous new wind threat on the way

The Palisades Fire has destroyed thousands of homes in California. AFP

A plane drops fire retardant on the Eaton Fire, near Altadena, California. Bloomberg

US President Joe Biden discusses the federal response to the wildfires with senior officials. AP

People who fled the Eaton Fire gather at a donation centre in Santa Anita Park, California. AFP

Mexican military personnel have joined the operation to tackle the Palisades Fire. Reuters

A firefighter in the Palisades area. The fire is one of several simultaneous blazes that have spread across Los Angeles County. Reuters

A helicopter drops water on hotspots in the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, California. Bloomberg

A search team works at a home destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena. AP

An aerial image shows people affected by the wildfires gathering at a donation centre, at the Santa Anita Park race track in Arcadia. Reuters

Pasadena Park Healthcare and Wellness Center chief Amy Johnson, left, hugs Rhea Bartolome, vice president of operations, outside their centre. AP

Water is dropped by helicopter on the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles. AP Photo

Burnt homes smoulder after the Palisades fire in the coastal community of Malibu in Los Angeles county. AFP

Resident Luke Dexter sifts through the remains of his family's fire-ravaged beachfront property in the aftermath of the Palisades fire. AP Photo

An aerial view shows the extent of the damage done to the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Smoke from the Palisades wildfires rises from the hills over Los Angeles on January 10. EPA

US President Joe Biden on Monday said he was "saddened" by the 24 deaths and the widespread destruction caused by fires in Los Angeles County, now in their seventh day.

Mr Biden added that "our hearts ache" for the "innocent souls" lost in the wildfires that have destroyed large parts of the second largest US city.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said that at least 23 people are missing.

Mr Biden said that “hundreds of federal personnel and unique federal aerial and ground support” are on the ground to assist firefighting and recovery in California. He said that his administration “remains laser-focused” on helping survivors.

Firefighters from across the US, and from Canada and Mexico, are pushing to make progress before heavy winds arrive in the coming days. The Eaton and Palisades fires are among the most destructive in Californian history.

The Palisades Fire is 14 per cent contained after burning 9,590 hectares of land and the Eaton Fire is 33 per cent contained after blazing through 1,660 hectares, according to the California Forestry and Fire Protection Department.

Fire crews are also battling a third blaze, the Hurst Fire, which is 95 per cent contained.

“To the brave firefighters and first responders working day and night to suppress these fires and save lives: our nation is grateful,” Mr Biden said. “You represent the best of America and we are in your debt.”

Progress has been made, as three other fires in Los Angeles County and its vicinity over the past week have been extinguished.

Most schools reopened on Monday, the number of people under evacuation orders has dropped under 100,000, and more buildings have regained electricity.

“We are not in the clear as of yet and we must not let our guard down,” Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley told reporters.

The National Weather Service issued a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” warning for Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles counties from Monday night to Wednesday morning.

“These locations will be under a high risk for large fires with potential for very rapid spreading of any fires that may develop," it said.

Some in the US have made the disaster political, with Republican president-elect Donald Trump posting on Sunday on Truth Social that the fires are “one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our country” and appeared to place blame on current leaders tackling the crisis, most of whom are Democrats.

“They just can't put out the fires. What's wrong with them?” Mr Trump asked.

As fires continue to burn, night-time curfews have been extended and not all residents have been allowed to return home.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to have firefighters clear debris to prevent “heightened risk for mudslides”.

He told NBC News that the city can still host the 2028 Summer Olympic Games, telling reporters: “We already have a team reimagining LA 2.0.”