L.A. Wildfires 'Worsening Day'...The political wrangling intensified due to profiteering.

[Anchor]
The wildfires in Los Angeles, the largest city in the western United States, have continued to spread, killing 16 people, but extinguishing efforts are slow.

As there are acts of profiteering taking advantage of the confusion, and the lack of water for evolution has intensified the political responsibility battle, and the situation is worsening.

I'm correspondent Lee Seung-yoon from New York.

[Reporter]
The worst wildfire in the western U.S. city of Los Angeles has spread, increasing casualties and property damage.

As the somewhat subdued high-temperature strong wind "Santa Ana" gained momentum again, the wildfire turned inland to the east, but the extinguishing work is slow.

When the act of profiteering from the confusion emerged, California launched an investigation, calling it a crime equivalent to up to a year in prison or a $10,000 fine.

[Rob Bonta / California Attorney General: There are people who exploit the demand of emergencies to raise gas, water, batteries, first aid supplies, building materials, and housing prices.]

The political battle is also intensifying.

Trump accused incompetent politicians of running amok, saying California Governor Gavin Newsom was passive in supplying water to protect the fish "Smelt."

[Donald Trump / U.S. President-elect] This is a tragedy, a mistake by the governor and the Biden administration. They didn't have water, they didn't have water in their fire hydrants.

Governor Newsom urged Trump not to use the tragedy for politics, saying he linked unrelated issues to the incident.

[Gavin Newsom / California Governor: I ask Trump to come and see it in person. I don't know what you mean by Smelt mention. These insults don't help.

Mexico, which has been threatened by Trump's tariffs, has dispatched firefighters to extinguish wildfires, and Governor Newsom has expressed his gratitude, saying he is a true friend.

I'm YTN's Lee Seungyoon from New York.

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video: Han Kyung-hee