Part 2/6:
The Auto Fire comes amidst precarious conditions exacerbated by the anticipated Santa Ana winds, which pose additional challenges for firefighters battling not only this new fire but also three others currently ablaze in the state. These include the Palisades Fire, which is 14% contained after burning approximately 23,000 acres, the Eaton Fire with 33% containment after consuming 14,000 acres, and the Hurst Fire near Sylmar, which is at an advanced stage of containment at 97%, having burned about 800 acres.
As firefighters engage with these relentless infernos, a grim tally reveals that the death toll has reached 24, with forecasts indicating the number may rise in the coming days as the full extent of the disaster becomes clear.