LA fires death toll reaches 24 as strong winds forecast to return
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Ukraine has offered to send more than 100 firefighters to assist Los Angeles first responders as they battle blazes across the city. Thousands have been left homeless since the fires began almost one week ago, with 24 people dead as dangerous weather is forecast to move in again tomorrow.
![[Remains of a Tesla electric car, destroyed by the Palisades Fire are seen, at the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 13, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235863805-1f02.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
President Zelenskyy posted on X today: ‘… Ukrainians can help Americans save lives. ‘This is currently being coordinated, and we have offered our assistance to the American side through the relevant channels. 150 of our firefighters are already prepared.’.
![[Burnt furniture stands near a devastated home, as the Eaton Fire continues, in Altadena, California, U.S. January 13, 2025. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235861685-4c49.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Days ago, Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr, had pushed the blame for the chaos of the fires onto Ukraine. It’s not the first time he’s correlated funding for Ukraine to disasters. When a devastating hurricane caused unprecedented inland flooding in North Carolina last year, he also pointed the finger at Zelensky.
Trump Jr quoted a post on X showing previous news headlines from 2022, when the Los Angeles Fire Department sent extra equipment to first responders in Ukraine, writing: ‘Oh look of course the LA fire department donated a bunch of their supplies to Ukraine.’.
![[A home stands among residences destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235831856-da3f.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Others were quick to point out the misguided snub – the donated equipment was older and from previous fire volunteers. US military planes released more than 16,000 gallons of fire suppressant on top of the fires over the weekend, according to Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder.
![[METRO GRAPHICS LA ires 1301]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_235837993-8a86.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
