California fires latest: 16 confirmed dead and at least 13 missing as dangerous winds set to return after weekend

On Friday night, fresh evacuation orders were issued for much of the Brentwood neighborhood and the foothills of the San Fernando Valley after reports indicated the Palisades fire on the city’s western edge was shifting direction.

By Saturday, high desert winds began to sweep across parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, with forecasts predicting stronger winds over the weekend. These conditions are expected to complicate firefighting efforts and intensify the ongoing blazes.

The Palisades and Eaton fires rank among the most destructive in California's history. As of Saturday evening, the Palisades fire is approximately 11% contained, while containment of the Eaton fire stands at 15%.

Firefighters have made significant progress on other fires: the Kenneth fire is 80% contained, the Hurst fire is 76% contained, and the Lidia fire has been fully contained, according to authorities.

Governor Gavin Newsom has called for investigations into issues with the county’s fire hydrants and water infrastructure. Earlier this week, some hydrants in the Palisades were inoperable, and reports suggested reservoir water was unavailable, hampering efforts to protect homes.

Two massive wildfires remain largely uncontained in the Los Angeles area, even as firefighters make progress on other blazes. These fires have destroyed homes and structures, forced the evacuation of hundreds of thousands of residents, and claimed the lives of at least 11 people.

The modest progress made in containing the fires remains at risk as powerful winds threaten to reignite and intensify the flames.

On Friday evening, the Los Angeles Fire Department issued new evacuation orders and warnings for the eastern edge of the Palisades fire near the 405 Freeway. These orders impacted parts of Brentwood, including the Getty Center.

Earlier that day, another wildfire — the Archer fire — broke out in Granada Hills, located in the San Fernando Valley.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles officials announced an investigation into the erroneous emergency alerts sent to millions of residents. They emphasized that resolving the issue is a top priority and are working to address it as quickly as possible.

While there's been considerable progress in containing the Hurst and Lidia fires, the two largest — the Palisades and Eaton fires — persist with little to no signs of waning, according to city officials. On Thursday night, a new blaze erupted in West Hills, destroying over 1,000 acres within hours.