Death Toll from Los Angeles Fires Expected to Rise, Sheriff Warns
"At one point, we will be able to do a more thorough search of these impacted areas — some of them look like a bomb was dropped in them — where we will be able to bring in K-9s...hopefully not discover too many fatalities," Sheriff Robert Luna said.
Wildfires burning in Los Angeles County have left at least 10 people dead, and officials are warning that the death toll could rise significantly once the burned areas and structures can be searched.
During a Thursday news conference, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said crews were still working to assess the damage, making their way through rubble and debris to find and identify anybody who died in the wildfires, CBS reports.
"At one point, we will be able to do a more thorough search of these impacted areas — some of them look like a bomb was dropped in them — where we will be able to bring in K-9s and other things to help us, hopefully not discover too many fatalities," Luna said. "That's our prayer. But this is a crisis, and we don't know what to expect. But we're ready for everything."
"So be patient with us when you ask us about death toll numbers," Luna told reporters. "Right now, frankly, we don't know yet."
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