Almost 200 Filipinos impacted by LA wildfires; number likely to increase.

Ched Rick Gatchalian,ABS-CBN News

MANILA — As two more wildfires rage in Los Angeles, Philippine authorities are still awaiting confirmation on whether any Filipinos are among the 25 fatalities from the devastating fires. Los Angeles Consul General Adelio Angelito Cruz told Teleradyo Serbisyo that approximately 191 Filipinos and Filipino-Americans have been displaced by the disaster, with the number expected to rise as strong winds threaten to spread the flames further. He stated that there have been no confirmed reports of any missing Filipinos or Filipino-Americans. "Two major fires are still ongoing. News reports indicate that strong winds are expected to arrive, and it’s possible that these two large fires could spread further in LA County," Cruz said. The "Santa Ana winds," also known as the "Devil Winds," are strong, dry winds that descended from the mountains, reportedly intensifying the fires in California. On Tuesday, the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for a "particularly dangerous situation," acknowledging that dry winds of 50 to 70 miles per hour could further fuel the wildfires.