Ammon News - The death toll from the multiple wind-driven fires in Los Angeles County has risen to 16, according to a new accounting of fatalities from the county's Department of Medical Examiner.

Eleven of the fatalities are related to the Eaton Fire in the foothills of the Angeles National Forest in and near Pasadena and Altadena, according to the department’s accounting. The remaining five are connected to the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, it said.

Eight of the victims were unidentified; a name for one victim was withheld pending notification of loved ones. One person, Victor Shaw, 66, was identified as a victim of the Eaton Fire.

The number of deaths comes from cases reported by law enforcement agencies tasked with investigating fatalities connected to the fires, the department said in a statement. The department noted that it cannot confirm human remains until it processes them at its facility.

Calmer winds and higher humidity helped firefighters make progress Saturday battling an unprecedented fire siege that has devastated the foothill community of Altadena and coastal enclave of Pacific Palisades — but officials warned that Santa Ana gusts will pick up again next week and cautioned the public to stay on alert.

“These winds, combined with low humidity and low fuel moisture, will keep the fire threat in Los Angeles County high,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Saturday. “Please understand that the inevitable public safety power shutoffs that will be implemented prior to this life-threatening Santa Ana wind event are crucial to preventing new fire starts, and that they help save lives.”

The respite from powerful winds that drove the devastating firestorms earlier this week week aided an epic aerial assault Saturday as a fleet of aircraft worked to prevent the Palisades fire from scorching homes in Brentwood and Encino.

As the weekend began, a shift in winds sent the fire north and east through the Santa Monica Mountains, forcing evacuations of Brentwood and the hills of Encino and Tarzana. That kept a fire-weary Los Angeles on edge for Day 5 of the catastrophic fires that have already damaged or destroyed more than 10,000 structures.

NBC + LA Times