Washington, At least 24 people have died as major wildfires continue to ravage the Los Angeles area in the U.S. state of California, the city’s medical examiner said on Sunday.

No fewer than 16 of the fatalities are related to the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, and eight others to the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades district.

There have been several major fires in the region since Tuesday, but these two are the most severe.

Officials fear the death toll may continue to rise, since it may take days before emergency services can safely access all areas impacted by the fires.

Firefighters were preparing for gusts to pick up again in the coming days, exacerbating what officials say could be one of the worst natural disasters in U.S. history.

The U.S. weather service forecast wind speeds of up to 110 kilometres per hour for Sunday, which, combined with dry vegetation, favours the rapid and unpredictable spread of both existing and new fires.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) warned of “critical fire weather” through to Wednesday.

“Life-threatening winds and dangerously low humidity are forecast for much of Southern California – from Ventura to San Diego – creating a significant risk of rapid fire spread,” the department wrote on X.

It warned the wind would increase fire activity and urged people to avoid mowing their lawns and parking their vehicles on dry grass and to ensure all campfires were extinguished.

According to Cal Fire officials, some 12,300 buildings have been destroyed or damaged. Since Tuesday, almost 163 square kilometres of land have gone up in flames – a space almost the size of Washington D.C.

California Governor Gavin Newsom, speaking to broadcaster NBC, said the wildfires would be the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, in terms of the “scale and scope,” as well as the costs it has caused.

Newsom went on to sign an executive order to temporarily suspend environmental regulations for destroyed homes and businesses.

“Just issued an Executive Order that will allow victims of the So Cal fires to not get caught up in bureaucratic red tape and quickly rebuild their homes,” he wrote on X.

According to a preliminary estimate by the private U.S weather service AccuWeather, the fires have caused more than $135 billion in damage.

Arnold Schwarzenegger was among the Hollywood actors living in and around areas impacted by the fires.

“Don’t worry about me, or my animals, and certainly not my house,” the film star and former governor of California said, asking fans to think instead of the “heroic firefighters.”

As the fires rage on, attention has increasingly turned to the people fighting them, among them several hundred prisoners being paid a maximum of $10 a day for gruelling work trying to contain the blaze.

Californian authorities say the prisoners have undergone several days of training and are working voluntarily on removing flammable material and creating so-called firebreaks or gaps in vegetation to stop the spread of fire.

They are given another $1 per hour for emergency work.

Each day spent working as a rescue worker shortens the prison sentence by two days.

Only inmates who are serving a prison sentence of a maximum of eight years and are not serving time for crimes such as rape or arson may be deployed as helpers.

Residents flee as flood ravages 10 communities in Kebbi – NEMA

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), says ten communities have been displaced by flood following heavy rains in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi.

Mr Aliyu Shehu-Kafindagi, the Head of Operations of NEMA, Sokoto Office, made this known when he led a joint assessment team to the affected areas on Wednesday.

He added that the incident left no fewer than 2,000 people homeless, who had no option but to flee to more safe areas.

“The incident, which occurred between Sept. 17 and 22, was caused by heavy rainfall and the coming of more water from River Niger, which led some communities to be submerged and inundated by the water.

“10 communities were affected in Shanga local government, and they include, Kunda, Dala- Maidawa, Dala-Tudu, Dala-Mairuwa, Ishe-Mairuwa, Kwarkusa, Kurmudi, Tugar Maigani, Tukur Cika, Uguwar Gwada, Uguwar Wakili and Gundu,” he said.

According to him, the displaced people are largely fishermen, who have lost many hectares of farmlands.

He said all their assorted crops comprising rice, maize, millet, beans, and guinea corn, among others, have been submerged.

The NEMA’s head also explained that the team in the course of its assessment, identified an Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)’ camp in Tudun Faila Primary School, sheltering more than 300 people.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NEMA’s joint assessment exercise was conducted in collaboration with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Shanga LG Officials, and security operatives in the state.

U.S. Govt offers humanitarian aid to Maiduguri flood victims

The U.S. government has offered humanitarian assistance to victims of the devastating flooding, which recently occurred in Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State.

“The United States is deeply saddened by the devastating floods that have affected Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State, resulting in loss of life, destruction of property, and the displacement of many families.

“We extend our condolences to the victims, their families, and all those impacted by this disaster.

“In response, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing assistance to the affected victims through UN agencies and our implementing partners,” the U.S. Embassy, Abuja, stated on Monday.

“Through the World Food Programme(WFP), USAID is providing hot meal rations in four camps hosting internally displaced persons and has reached more than 67,000 individuals in the past few days.

“The WFP is also providing emergency nutrition assistance to pregnant and lactating women, including children under five years old,” it added.

The embassy further said that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) was using an initial 3 million dollars in USAID funding to address flood needs across the country.

It said USAID was also supporting the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) in conducting food airlifts to inaccessible areas in Borno and Maiduguri city to address urgent needs.

“Other USAID-funded partners, including international and local NGOs, are repurposing existing funds to provide critical assistance to individuals affected by the flooding in Maiduguri and neighbouring Jere Local Government Area.

“We commend the bravery and resilience of the people of Maiduguri and the tireless efforts of first responders, aid workers, and local authorities who are on the ground delivering essential services.

“Our thoughts remain with the people of Borno during this challenging time,” the embassy further stated.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the disaster had culminated in the loss of lives, destruction of property, and the displacement of many families, attracting a humanitarian assistance floodgate.

NAN reports that the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says more than 30 people have died and over 400,000 displaced due to the flood in Maiduguri.

On Sept. 9,  thousands of residents fled their homes as flood-ravaged swathes of Fori, Galtimari, Gwange, and Bulabulin areas of Maiduguri.

The flood occurred due to the collapse of the Alau Dam which had been at full capacity.

The Borno government opened up internally displaced persons (IDP) camps for victims across the state.