Los Angeles: The death toll from wildfires in Los Angeles has reached 16, and the fires are expected to spread further in the coming hours due to strong Santa Ana winds.

According to Saudi Press Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell stated that the US military is on standby to support firefighting efforts. Criswell also warned about the critical situation, with winds expected to reach speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour, increasing the risk of embers spreading over long distances.

Firefighters have confirmed that the fires have already destroyed over 12,000 structures and are threatening densely populated areas like the San Fernando Valley and the Getty Museum.

Economic losses are estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars, with meteorologists noting that the current wind speeds are the highest since 2011, highlighting the impact of climate change on intensifying such phenomena.