LA fires latest: Newsom calls for investigation into fire hydrant failures as death roll rises to 11

WorldEnvironment
11 Jan 2025 • 6:23 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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California Governor Gavin Newsom called for an investigation Friday into Los Angeles County’s fire hydrant and other water failures as officials continued battling stubborn blazes eating up more than 35,000 acres and the death toll hit 11.

Some hydrants in the Palisades were unusable earlier this week and reservoir water was reportedly not available, impairing the effort to protect homes. Newsom has called on county officials to investigate the matter and compile a report.

“The ongoing reports of loss of water pressure to some local fire hydrants during the fires and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir are deeply troubling to me and to the community,” Newsom said in a letter addressed to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power CEO and Chief Engineer Janisse Quiñones and L.A. County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella.

Winds were set to calm between Friday and Saturday, although strong gusts were still reported. Winds are predicted to return Sunday and next week, with the death toll from the current fires expected to climb in the coming days, officials said.

Firefighters and residents have been injured in the life-threatening outbreak, which continued to force evacuation orders and warning for some 153,000 people.

There are six active large wildfires throughout Los Angeles County. The Palisades and Eaton fires are the most destructive in the state’s history. Both are less than 10 percent contained.

Officials gave an update on the Eaton Fire early Friday afternoon.

“It looks like a war zone. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Kathryn Barger, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, told reporters.

Key Points

  • Governor Newsom orders investigation into fire hydrant failures
  • Death toll rises to 11
  • Archer Fire evacuation warning lifted
  • More than 36,000 acres have been burned by active wildfires
  • Mapped: Tracking the Palisades, Kenneth, Hurst and Eaton fires

LA suburb residents concerned aid will be channeled towards high-profile areas

10:23

Vishwam Sankaran

Residents of Altadena, a racially and economically diverse suburb near Los Angeles, expressed concerns that government resources would be channelled towards high-profile areas like Malibu popular with Hollywood A-Listers.

The suburb’s residents, including Black and Latino families who have lived there for generations, also raised concerns that insurance companies might short-change less affluent households which may not have the means to contest fire claims.

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“They’re not going to give you the value of your house ... if they do, you really have to fight for it,” Kay Young, a 63-year-old resident of the suburb, told Reuters.

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“You’re going to have some folks who are not going to get as much as they deserve, and some folks who may get more than actually they need,” Inez Moore, a lecturer at California State University whose family home was destroyed in the fires, said.

Officials warn residents to beware of scams

10:00

Michelle Del Rey

‘Like a ton of bricks just fell on me’: What we know about victims of ‘most destructive’ fire in LA history

09:00

Michelle Del Rey

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A siege of wildfire: Photos show massive response effort to devastation in LA County area

08:00

Michelle Del Rey

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Evacuation warnings for the Hurst Fire in Sylmar and the Archer Fire in Granda Hills are lifted

07:00

Michelle Del Rey

California National Guard are out on Southern California streets

06:00

Michelle Del Rey

‘DO NOT DRINK’ notice issued to these communities

05:00

Michelle Del Rey

Los Angeles County declares local health emergency

04:40

Michelle Del Rey

The widespread presence of ash and particulate matter in the air following the California wildfires has caused local health officials to declare a local health emergency on Friday.

The announcement followed several days of heavy smoke and ash in the Los Angeles area, which is battling multiple fires at once.

“The fires, coupled with strong winds, have severely degraded air quality by releasing hazardous smoke and particulate matter, posing immediate and long-term risks to public health,” a news release from the county’s public health department states. “Additionally, the fires have caused widespread displacement of residents, prompted emergency evacuations from healthcare facilities, and disrupted vital health services and resources.”

Additionally, the department is restricting the use of power air blowers and leaf blowers.

Issues with Los Angeles county’s evacuation alerts confused residents

04:09

Michelle Del Rey

Los Angeles County residents received erroneous alerts this week telling them to evacuate as officials tried to fix the county alert system.

On Thursday, emergency officials tried sending alerts to people only in the Calabasas and Agoura Hills areas, a fire official told CNN. But the evacuation alert was sent to everyone in the county.

Authorities blamed the alerts on technical issues. The issue helped shine a light on a potential flaw in the system. Residents are sent evacuation orders based on where they are in the city and not their home address, which could lead residents to panic even if their home is not under threat.

Gavin Newsom is launching an investigation of Los Angeles fire hydrant failures

03:45

Michelle Del Rey

The governor is directing state water and firefighting officials to launch a probe to determine why fire hydrants in the Palisades area were unusable this week.

The inability to use fire hydrants likely impaired the effort to protect some homes and evacuation corridors, Newsom wrote in a letter to Los Angeles Department of Water and Power CEO Janisse Quiñones and Mark Pestrella, director of Los Angeles County Public Works

“We need answers to how that happened,” he wrote. The letter asks LADWP and Los Angeles County officials to quickly put together a report explaining any causes of lost water pressure and unavailable water supplies, along with an examination of local preparedness efforts and response procedures.

Los Angeles Fire Department sends out new evacuation order

03:19

Michelle Del Rey

Los Angeles fire officials are asking residents around Interstate 405 and the Encino Reservoir to evacuate, according to an alert sent out by the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The expansion borders the Getty Center and one of Los Angeles’ busiest freeways.

Death toll rises to 11

03:15

Michelle Del Rey

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner is reporting 11 deaths in connection with the wildfires. The latest victim died in Topanga due to the Palisades fire, according to the medical examiner’s website. Additional information is pending.

Five people have now died in the Palisades fire. Six have died in the Eaton fire. The Palisades fire is eight percent contained, while the Eaton Fire is three percent contained. The fires continue to threaten thousands of properties in the area.

Wildfire smoke advisory extended through Saturday

02:53

Michelle Del Rey

Kenneth Fire 50 percent contained

02:15

Michelle Del Rey

CalFire is reporting that the Kenneth Fire is now 50 percent contained.

Fire officials reported the news in an online update.

Art collector says he lost dozens of art pieces in fire

01:55

Michelle Del Rey

Ron Rivlin, who lost his home in the Palisades Fire, said he built his home around his art. He owned 30 Andy Warhol pieces and 15 by Keith Haring. The paintings were lost during the fire.

He resisted evacuation until his daughter called him crying, he said, adding that he vowed to build an even better home in the future. He also lost art pieces by Damien Hirst and John Baldessari.

Actor James Wood says his home survived the fire

01:26

Michelle Del Rey

The actor made the announcement on X. He called the news a “miracle,” while pointing out that many homes in his neighborhood did not survive the blaze.

“In this hellish landscape ‘standing’ is relative,” he wrote.

Newsom has invited Trump to visit the Los Angeles County wildfire damage

01:08

Michelle Del Rey

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California Governor Gavin Newsom has invited President-elect Donald Trump to visit the wildfire damage around Los Angeles.

In a letter to Trump, Newsom said that “in the spirit of this great country, we must not politicize human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines.”

Trump has repeatedly attacked Newsom over the issue and called for him to resign, calling him “Gavin Newscum.”

Officials are encouraging people on social media not to come and help with fires

00:58

Michelle Del Rey

The Los Angeles Fire Department reportedly said it is aware of a social media Facebook post suggesting individuals can work in California as part of the clean-up crew.

“There is no truth to this social media post, and there is no need to call and inquire,” officials said.

Critical fire weather expected on Friday

00:28

Michelle Del Rey

Officials believe the Santa Ana Winds will continue to shift north but humidity will remain low, according to an update released by CalFire around 2pm on Friday.

On Saturday, typical mid-January conditions are likely to continue. Sunday and continuing through the middle of next week, weak to moderate Santa Ana winds are expected, the agency said. There is a chance of strong winds on Tuesday and there will continue to be a high likelihood of critical fire weather conditions through next week.

It’s estimated that more than 5,000 structures have been destroyed in the blaze.

Los Angeles Unified School District officials canceled classes for all schools on Friday. Residents are encouraged to avoid nonessential travel, CalFire said.

Drone footage shows the aftermath of the Palisades Fire

Friday 10 January 2025 23:58

Michelle Del Rey

Drone footage released by USA Today shows rows of burnt homes and streets. The fire has spread to over 20,000 acres and threatens more than 11,000 structures. Three people have died in the blaze.

Watch below:

Super scooper plane hit by drone to be out of commission until Monday

Friday 10 January 2025 23:28

Michelle Del Rey

LA County Fire Chief Anthony C Marrone made the announcement on Friday. The Canadian plane, named Quebec 1, sustained a large hole in its wing after the collision. Pilots didn’t know they’d hit the drone. Staff at Van Nuys Airport noticed the hole.

Los Angeles is currently only operating two super scoopers. The aircraft will be prioritized for repairs and will be up and running on Monday.

“Everyone should know … flying a drone in the fire traffic area is not only dangerous, but it’s illegal,” Marrone said, according to CNN. “Our federal partners behind the scenes are going to be implementing procedures to be able to follow drones in our two large fire areas, and they will be able to identify who the operator of that drone is.”

“The most important thing to know is that if you fly a drone at one of these brush fires, all aerial operations will be shut down, and we certainly don’t want to have that happen,” he added.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone: I can assure residents LA County ‘will be prepared'

Friday 10 January 2025 22:39

Julia Musto

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone assured residents that the county would “be prepared” on Monday to face the return of red flag conditions next week.

‘It looks like a war zone. I’ve never seen anything like it’: Officials give update on Eaton Fire

Friday 10 January 2025 22:27

Julia Musto

Officials gave an update on the Eaton Fire on Friday afternoon, reporting that more than 7,000 structures had been damaged or destroyed.

“It looks like a war zone. I’ve never seen anything like it,” Kathryn Barger, a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, told reporters.

A red flag event, they noted, would expire at 6 p.m. PST. But, another event would begin on Monday.

The LA County wildfires are seen from the International Space Station

Friday 10 January 2025 22:21

Julia Musto

Pasadena and Altadena residents get ‘one-time' access to their homes

Friday 10 January 2025 20:47

Julia Musto

Archer Fire evacuation order downgraded

Friday 10 January 2025 20:44

Julia Musto

NFL provides $5 million to support communities affected by California wildfires

Friday 10 January 2025 20:43

Julia Musto

The NFL announced Friday that it is providing $5 million to support communities affected by the wildfires in the greater Los Angeles region.“We are heartbroken over the devastating losses experienced by so many in the Los Angeles area and inspired by the heroism of first responders and residents who have supported their neighbors,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “The NFL family is committed to working with the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams to support their local communities in their time of need.”

Kidney transplant who evacuated says loss of home is ‘unspeakable'

Friday 10 January 2025 20:40

Julia Musto

“It was really a special, precious place, and we truly loved it,” Jeremy Hunter, 53, from Altadena, California, told CNN. “The amount of heartbreak of losing it is truly unspeakable. It was our very beautiful world.”

Firefighters have increased containment on the Creek Fire

Friday 10 January 2025 20:30

Julia Musto

Resident shows destroyed homes in Los Angeles wildfires

Friday 10 January 2025 20:28

Julia Musto

Forward progress has been stopped on the Archer Fire

Friday 10 January 2025 20:26

Julia Musto

Public health emergency issued for the wildfires in Southern California

Friday 10 January 2025 20:24

Julia Musto

Public health emergency issued for the wildfires in Southern California

Friday 10 January 2025 20:23

Julia Musto

World Central Kitchen will have free meals for first responders, affected residents

Friday 10 January 2025 20:21

Julia Musto

Newsom seeks to address ‘hurricane-force’ winds of mis- and disinformation

Friday 10 January 2025 20:13

Julia Musto

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“People want to divide this country,” California Governor Gavin Newsom said as he spoke to President Joe Biden remotely from Los Angeles over a video screen. “It breaks my heart as people are suffering and struggling that we’re up against those hurricane forces as well.”

The governor’s office sought to address those concerns in a recent post on social media.

Disney’s KABC station loses over-the-air signal from Mt. Wilson during the Eaton Fire

Friday 10 January 2025 20:08

Julia Musto

Walt Disney Co.’s KABC-TV Channel 7 station, which uses communications towers near Mt. Wilson, reportedly lost its over-the-air signal Friday morning as the Eaton Fire continued its rampage through mountainous terrain.

Separately, radio station KLOS-FM 95.5, which also uses transmission facilities in the Angeles Crest Forest, also went off the air last night, according to The Los Angeles Times.

How you can help the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires

Friday 10 January 2025 20:04

Julia Musto

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Family assistance centers will open to provide information to people looking for missing family and friends

Friday 10 January 2025 20:03

Julia Musto

Here’s how to apply for FEMA assistance

Friday 10 January 2025 20:01

Julia Musto

A reservoir that helps supply water in Pacific Palisades was reportedly offline when the fires began

Friday 10 January 2025 20:00

Julia Musto

A reservoir that helps supply water in Pacific Palisades was reportedly offline when the fires began, officials said Friday.

Records show that the Santa Ynez Reservoir was recently set to undergo maintenance to the reservoir’s cover, according to The New York Times.

Ellen Cheng, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said in a statement that the reservoir had been offline when the fires began.

“We are still evaluating what role Santa Ynez being offline would have had on this situation,” she said.

While NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is untouched, more than 150 employees lost their homes

Friday 10 January 2025 19:56

Julia Musto

Los Angeles expected to see a drop in wind speed

Friday 10 January 2025 19:49

Julia Musto

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Forecasters said Los Angeles could expect a reprieve from gusting winds that have driven multiple active fires.

It would last for around 18 hours before the next ones come later on Saturday.

Evacuation order, warning issued for new fire

Friday 10 January 2025 19:30

Julia Musto

There’s a new brush fire in Granada Hills

Friday 10 January 2025 19:05

Julia Musto

Debunked: Did sending aid to Ukraine leave LA Fire Department unprepared?

Friday 10 January 2025 18:45

Julia Musto

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California bars insurers from dropping fire victims until 2026. What to know

Friday 10 January 2025 18:33

Julia Musto

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Map details Palisades Fire evacuation zones

Friday 10 January 2025 18:24

Julia Musto

Low relative humidities and gusty winds will continue to bring dangerous conditions into the evening

Friday 10 January 2025 18:20

Julia Musto

Critical fire weather conditions will continue over coastal locations of Southern California through the remainder of the morning, with localized gusts to near 60mph, forecasters warned.

“While wind gusts are likely to weaken into this afternoon and evening, remnant gusty winds and low relative humidities will continue dangerous conditions into the afternoon and evening,” the National Weather Service said.

2024 was the hottest year in NASA’s record. Record temperatures and wildfires are linked to climate change

Friday 10 January 2025 18:17

Julia Musto

Earth’s average surface temperature in 2024 was the warmest on record, according to an analysis led by NASA scientists. High temperatures driven by climate change can exacerabate drought conditions. Climate change has also been linked to record-breaking California wildfires.

“Once again, the temperature record has been shattered — 2024 was the hottest year since record-keeping began in 1880,” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said in a statement. “Between record-breaking temperatures and wildfires currently threatening our centers and workforce in California, it has never been more important to understand our changing planet.”

Biden on wildfire response: ‘This is not going to be over even when the fires are out'

Friday 10 January 2025 18:05

Julia Musto

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In a meeting with California officials, President Biden said Friday that the administration would “be around” for communities affected by the state’s series of devastating wildfires.

“This is not going to be over even when the fires are out,” he said.

When asked if he was coordinating with the incoming administration, Biden said that they know “everything.”

He also discussed the role of climate change.

“Climate change has been real. It’s been real for the last four years of our administration. We’ve seen devastating impacts,” the president said.

With reporting from Andrew Feinberg

Cars are melted in the wake of the Eaton Fire

Friday 10 January 2025 18:01

Julia Musto

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San Diego Humane Society takes nearly 40 dogs from overwhelmed Pasadena Humane. They need a home

Friday 10 January 2025 17:54

Julia Musto

LA was sitting on a powder keg ripe for a fire after months of drought. Then it was lit

Friday 10 January 2025 17:51

Julia Musto

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Actor films narrow escape from Palisades fire as he’s nearly forced into the ocean

Friday 10 January 2025 17:06

Julia Musto

Image from: LA fires latest: Newsom calls for investigation into fire hydrant failures as death roll rises to 11