<h1>Los Angeles Wildfires Claim 16 Lives, 16 Missing; Evacuations Ordered for 150,000 as Strong Winds Loom.</h1> Firefighters in Los Angeles are battling wildfires that have killed 16 people and left 16 others missing, with strong winds expected to exacerbate conditions. The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings due to anticipated severe fire conditions. The fires have consumed over 62 square miles, with the Palisades and Eaton fires being the most significant. Evacuations affect 150,000 residents, and looting concerns have led to arrests. California Governor Gavin Newsom anticipates the fires could become the nation's costliest disaster, with damages estimated between $135 billion and $150 billion. Efforts to contain the fires continue amid criticism of local leadership and resource shortages.