On Sunday, US President-elect Donald Trump launched a new attack on officials in the state of California, at a time when firefighters continued to fight the raging fires in Los Angeles.

Trump wrote on his social media network, Truth Social: “The fires are still burning in Los Angeles. And incompetent politicians have no idea how to extinguish it.”

He added: “It is one of the worst disasters in the history of our country. They are not simply unable to put out fires. What happened to them?”, noting that “death is everywhere.”

Although it is too early to know the source of the fires, the authorities have been criticized for their preparedness and response.

Firefighting tanks have emptied in the upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood, which was struck by one of five forest fires in the area, and water shortages have hampered efforts elsewhere.

About one week before his return to the White House, Trump continues to criticize Democrats, and launched several attacks without providing evidence against California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Newsom invited him to visit Los Angeles and inspect the damage with him.

The fire has so far destroyed more than 12,000 buildings, according to the California Fire Department, while the Los Angeles County Coroner's Office reported that at least 16 people were killed.

Despite the efforts of thousands of firefighters to contain the flames, the Pacific Palisades fire expanded on Saturday to northwest of Los Angeles, threatening the densely populated San Fernando Valley, as well as the Getty Museum and its priceless works of art.