News updates: At least 16 dead in LA fires as dangerous winds could persist; crews douse roads in retardant

LOS ANGELES − The death toll from a devastating series of fires in Los Angeles County rose to 16, officials announced, as air crews used fire retardant and water to battle the Palisades Fire that threatened homes even closer to the heart of the city on Saturday.

On the fifth day since the Palisades Fire began, the largest of four active wildfires in Los Angeles County was encroaching on a major Southern California artery as the flames expanded to the northeast and officials warned of more extreme fire weather conditions this weekend. Meanwhile, 11 deaths had been attributed to the Eaton Fire, which had scorched more than 14,000 acres and was 15% contained Saturday evening.

Fire retardant, in a distinctive hot pink shower, blanketed houses, streets and fire trucks in Mandeville Canyon, tucked in the Santa Monica Mountains, not far from the 405 freeway. Several other aircraft gushed water throughout the hillside neighborhood as the encroaching fire neared an electric tower.

The Palisades Fire, which has killed five people, grew another roughly 1,000 acres on Saturday, and had burned 23,654 acres by afternoon with 11% containment. An expansion of the flames to the north and east prompted officials to issue more mandatory evacuation areas to the west of the 405 freeway as it threatened parts of Encino and Brentwood.

In total, more than 153,000 Los Angeles County residents were under active evacuation orders and 57,000 structures were at risk, Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference Saturday. Another 166,000-plus were under evacuation warnings, meaning they should be prepared to leave their homes.

“Los Angeles County Fire will be prepared,” Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said. “These winds combined with dry air and dry vegetation will keep the fire threat in Los Angeles County high.”

The fires have consumed about 38,000 acres of land total, according to Cal Fire. The Palisades Fire became the most destructive in Los Angeles history. Of the over 5,000 structures it destroyed, 426 are homes, Todd Hopkins with Cal Fire said. On Saturday the flames threatened the iconic Getty Center, while areas just east of the 405 were under evacuation warnings.