Los Angeles wildfires death toll rises as strong winds forecast to return

A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon (Jae C. Hong/AP)

The death toll from the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area rose to 16 as crews battled to cut off the spreading blazes before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward some of the city’s most famous landmarks.

Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said.