At least 10 people have been killed by the fast-moving wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area this week.
While firefighters made some progress on containing the blazes, forecasters warned that the danger was not over, with strong wind gusts near 60mph continuing into Friday evening.
The death toll is expected to climb, but includes 66-year-old Victor Shaw, who had been killed while trying to defend his home.
Firefighters and other residents have been injured in the life-threatening outbreak, which continued to force evacuation orders for around 153,000 residents.
There are currently five active wildfires throughout Los Angeles County. The Palisades and Eaton Fires are now some of the state’s most destructive in history.
A man who had been accused by residents of attempting to start a fire was arrested near the 1,000-acre Kenneth Fire on Thursday. But, police confirmed on Friday that there was not enough evidence to charge him with arson.
Officials also made apologies for emergency alert messages that had gone out in the county.
“I can’t express enough how sorry I am for this experience,” Kevin McGowan, the Los Angeles County director of the Office of Emergency Management, told reporters, explaining that the emergency alerts weren’t “human-driven.”
Key Points
- Death toll hits 10 in LA wildfires
- New brush fire starts in Granada Hills
- More than 36,000 acres have been burned by active wildfires
- Mapped: Tracking the Palisades, Kenneth, Hurst and Eaton fires
- 153,000 Los Angeles County residents are under evacuation orders
- ‘We raised our children here’: The Hollywood stars whose homes have burnt down in California wildfires
- LA County says it’s working with FEMA to investigate ‘erroneous’ emergency alert messages
There’s a new brush fire in Granada Hills
19:05
Julia Musto
LAFD Alert- Granada Hills Brush Fire 17278 W Sesnon Bl MAP: https://t.co/5eEpNEoJpu FS18; DETAILS: https://t.co/gCLLSbkdH2
— LAFD (@LAFD) January 10, 2025
Debunked: Did sending aid to Ukraine leave LA Fire Department unprepared?
18:45
Julia Musto
California bars insurers from dropping fire victims until 2026. What to know
18:33
Julia Musto
Map details Palisades Fire evacuation zones
18:24
Julia Musto
Here is an updated #PalisadesFire map showing the fire perimeter and evacuation zones for Angelenos impacted in the area.
— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 10, 2025
⚠️Evacuation orders remain in place.
⚠️Pacific Coast Highway remains closed from McClure Tunnel in Santa Monica to Topanga Canyon with @LAPDHQ managing… pic.twitter.com/9vlpm2v5Tl
Low relative humidities and gusty winds will continue to bring dangerous conditions into the evening
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
18:17
Julia Musto
Our planet is warming, and the evidence is undeniable. Bold, decisive action is essential to safeguard humanity's future. https://t.co/bUH1n3Q4z4
— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) January 10, 2025
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'
18:05
Julia Musto
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
18:01
Julia Musto
San Diego Humane Society takes nearly 40 dogs from overwhelmed Pasadena Humane. They need a home
17:54
Julia Musto
The 39 dogs we took in from @PasadenaHumane to free up much needed space during the devastating #EatonFire were already up for adoption. They will be placed up for adoption by us now instead. If you can help, we are in need of fosters: https://t.co/WKOm2AKCCL pic.twitter.com/TBfWVCzV1h
— San Diego Humane Society (@sdhumane) January 9, 2025
LA was sitting on a powder keg ripe for a fire after months of drought. Then it was lit
17:51
Julia Musto
Actor films narrow escape from Palisades fire as he’s nearly forced into the ocean
17:06
Julia Musto
Kenneth Fire arson suspect investigation remains ongoing
17:04
Julia Musto
At 4:32 p.m. on Thursday Los Angeles police received a 911 call that a suspect was attempting to light a fire in the community of Woodland Hills and was being detained by residents.
Officers took the suspect into custody.
“After the interview and additional investigative steps looking at some additional evidence that was president, they made the determination that there was not enough probable cause to arrest this person on arson or suspicion of arson,” LAPD Assistant Chief Dominic Choi told reporters on Friday. “And, therefore, this person was arrested on a felony probation violation. This investigation is ongoing, however.”
Everything we know about ‘armed’ arson suspect arrested over the Kenneth Fire
16:54
Julia Musto
153,000 are under evacuation orders than more than 57,000 structures are at risk
16:36
Julia Musto
Officials said Friday that more than 153,000 residents were under evacuation orders and more than 166,000 are under warnings as wildfires continued to burn in the Los Angeles County region.
There are also 57,830 structures at risk.
A curfew will be “strictly enforced” at 6 p.m. PST for the area of the Palisades and Eaton Fires.
Small drone makes hole in wing of CL 415 Super Scooper aircraft during Palisades Fire
16:31
Julia Musto
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone announced Friday that there had been a drone incursion at the Palisades Fire on Thursday.
A hole had been made in the aircraft’s wing. It should be back flying by Monday, he said.
Firefighter hospitalized after fall injury in the Eaton Fire
16:23
Julia Musto
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said that a firefighter had suffered a significant fall injury at the Eaton Fire on Thursday.
While he remains hospitalized, the firefighter is in stable condition and expected to make a full recovery.
All active Los Angeles County wildfires are now partially contained
16:20
Julia Musto
Firefighters finally made some progress on the nearly 14,000-acre Eaton Fire.
The blaze is now 3 percent contained.
LA officials apologize for erroneous emergency alert
16:11
Julia Musto
Speaking at a press conference on Friday morning, Kevin McGowan, the Los Angeles County director of the Office of Emergency Management, apologized to residents who had received an erroneous emergency alert on Thursday afternoon.
L.A. County/City Windstorm and Wildfires One Voice Press Conference https://t.co/w2CO6KPZ5C
— Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) January 10, 2025
“I can’t express enough how sorry I am for this experience,” he told reporters, explaining that the emergency alerts weren’t “human-driven.”
The Kenneth Fire is now 1,000 acres
16:04
Julia Musto
#kennethfire; The fire is currently at 1000 acres with 35% containment.
— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) January 10, 2025
Firefighters worked throughout the night knocking down flare ups and spot fires to keep the fire with its perimeter. 345 personnel are assigned to the incident.
All evacuation orders have been lifted. A… pic.twitter.com/13GsDsCOnk
The active wildfires have spread over 36,560 acres.
Firefighters have made significant progress on the Kenneth, Hurst, and Lidia Fires
16:01
Julia Musto
Firefighters have made significant progress on the Kenneth, Hurst, and Lidia Fires.
The Kenneth Fire is 35 percent contained. The Hurst Fire is 37 percent contained. And, the Lidia Fire is 75 percent contained.
The Palisades Fire is also now 8 percent contained.
16:00
James Liddell
As the first home in Pacific Palisades was set ablaze on Tuesday morning, Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass was absent from the city.
Neither was she there when a second brush fire broke out in the Altadena area that evening, nor a third in Sylmar.
Instead, Bass, a 71-year-old former physician and congresswoman, was in Ghana.
James Liddell reports on why the LA mayor was visiting the African nation.
It’s too soon to know how Southern California’s wildlife have been affected by destructive wildfires
15:56
Julia Musto
Officials say it’s too soon to know how Southern California’s wildlife have been affected by destructive wildfire.
“The acute effect of the fire is you’re going to lose some wildlife,” said Tim Dillingham, environmental program manager with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, told The New York Times. “I’ve seen birds that have ended up on the ground from smoke inhalation. The same kind of things that affect a person affect wildlife too.”
‘We raised our children here’: The Hollywood stars whose homes have burnt down in California wildfires
15:50
Julia Musto
The Palisades Fire is now more than 20,000 acres
15:40
Julia Musto
The Palisades Fire has now torn over more than 20,000 acres, according to Cal Fire.
With that update, the total acreage from the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Hurst, and Lidia Fires is 36,253 acres.
National Guard arrives in Los Angeles
15:27
Julia Musto
“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has officially requested the support of the California National Guard for both fires,” Sheriff Robert Luna said Thursday. “They will be assisting us with traffic control and critical infrastructure protection.”
Palisades, Eaton Fires are now some of the most destructive in California’s history
15:19
Julia Musto
The Palisades and Eaton Fires are now some of the state’s most destructive blazes.
They rank third and fourth, respectively, on Cal Fire’s list Top 20 list.
Arson suspect arrested by citizens near Kenneth fire armed with a ‘propane tank or flamethrower’
15:12
Julia Musto
Mel Gibson says house burnt down while recording controversial Joe Rogan interview
15:12
James Liddell
Mel Gibson has revealed that his house burnt down while he was recording a controversial podcast interview with Joe Rogan.
The Braveheart actor-director said that he was “kind of ill at ease” while talking to Rogan because he knew his neighbourhood of Malibu “was on fire” due to the devastating blazes raging through the Los Angeles area.
“I thought ‘I wonder if my place is still there’, but when I got home, sure enough, it wasn’t there,” he told NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas Reports.
“I’ve never seen such a complete burn. It is obviously devastating, it’s emotional. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I lived there for about 14, 15 years so it was home to me.”
Jacob Stolworthy has the full report.
Satellite image shows wildfire smoke and flames visible from space
15:00
James Liddell
MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough blames ‘hellscape’ wildfires on slashed spending
14:57
Julia Musto
MSNBC’s Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough on Friday blamed the Los Angeles “hellscape” wildfires on slashed infrastructure spending.
“We don’t know the exact causes for the complete failure of government to be able to protect these homes,” he said, according to the New York Post.
LA County says it’s working with FEMA to investigate ‘erroneous’ emergency alert messages
14:50
Julia Musto
Important update on emergency alert issue.
— Los Angeles County (@CountyofLA) January 10, 2025
Actualizacion importante sobre el problema de la alerta de emergencia.#EatonFire #PalisadesFire pic.twitter.com/ymzol8NEcd
More than 245,000 California customers are without power
14:46
Julia Musto
More than 245,000 California customers remained without power early Friday morning, according to tracker PowerOutage.US. That number is markedly down from Thursday, but winds are still expected to pick up.
‘Gusty’ Santa Ana winds expected today through next week
14:45
James Liddell
Gusty winds reaching up to 70mph in southern California’s mountainous areas are expected after sunrise on Friday morning with wind speeds expected to weaken by noon, according to the National Weather Service.
“Gusty Santa Ana winds will continue across the Southland this morning. Another round of gusty north to northeast winds will develop Sunday, then a stronger offshore wind event is possible between Monday night and Wednesday,” the NWS said in an early morning update on Friday.
“Otherwise, dry weather is expected at least through the middle of next week.”
Beverly Hills residents receive ‘another’ false evacuation alert
14:31
James Liddell
At approximately 4 a.m. today, some residents in Beverly Hills may have received another evacuation alert from the LA County Fire Department. The County’s Office of Emergency Management has confirmed this was another error. There are no evacuations currently affecting BH.
— CityofBeverlyHills (@CityofBevHills) January 10, 2025
Canadian Air Force deployed to assist in fighting California wildfires
14:21
James Liddell
I have approved a request to deploy @RCAF_ARC assets to transport firefighters, equipment, and other resources to California, to assist in fighting the devastating wildfires.@CanadianForces stand ready to transport personnel and equipment to support our American neighbours.
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) January 10, 2025
California insurance commissioner steps in to shield homeowners
14:15
James Liddell
While firefighter’s battle wildfires, some California homeowners are bracing as a deepening insurance crisis looms.
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has stepped in to shield southern California homeowners in the areas of the Palisades and Eaton fires for a one-year period against insurance companies canceling or not renewing their policies.
“My heart goes out to my fellow Angelenos. Our top priority is protecting Californians during this crisis and helping us recover,” Lara said in a statement.
“I am using my moratorium powers to prevent insurance companies from canceling or non-renewing policies in wildfire-impacted areas, so people don’t face the added stress of finding new insurance during this horrific event.”
Is it safe to travel to California and is LAX closed?
14:00
James Liddell
Pacific Palisades is a residential community and attracts very few tourists, however, the area it sits in, Los Angeles County, is popular with visitors who are heading to the sandy shores of Venice Beach, exploring Hollywood as well as touring studios and museums among many other attractions.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) sits relatively close to the Palisades fires, but so far minimal travel disruption has occurred.
Meanwhile, several roads including parts of the Pacific Coast Highway have been closed as of early Wednesday morning.
LAX is around 19 miles south of Pacific Palisades, but the majority of arrivals and departures have continued as normal amid the wildfires.
Read Amelia Neath’s full story.
Wildfire survivors may be left with mental scars, expert says
13:47
James Liddell
The wildfires racing across the Los Angeles area may take a toll on the mental health of survivors, an expert has warned.
It’s not just physical injury which can leave a mark. The loss of home, a loved one, community and possessions can also lead to long-lasting trauma.
“It is common to experience emotional distress during these traumatic events, where people often lose a sense of control,” Dr Jace Reed, of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, told ABC News.
“The current wildfires have led to evacuations, the destruction of homes and property, the loss of beloved pets, physical injuries and even death, all of which can be profoundly distressing,” he said.
Jace added: “Individuals may feel a range of emotions, including denial, anger, sadness, shock and hopelessness. This emotional response can evolve into later stages, such as acceptance, further sadness, depression and bitterness.”
Fire chief hopes Palisades fire containment will double by end of day
13:32
James Liddell
Brent Pascua, battalion chief for Cal Fire, said he hopes the containment of the devastating Palisades fire will double by the end of Friday.
The blaze, which has been one of the most destructive the Los Angeles area has seen, spread to almost 20,000 acres and was at six percent containment, according to the latest data from the department.
Pascua told CNN that firefighting personnel had turned a corner in the battle against the blaze, which for more than 48 hours remained uncontained.
“It’s going to take a lot more work to see that (containment) grow. But we’re headed in the right direction,” he said.
In pictures: Firefighters battle Kenneth blaze as wildfires rage for fourth day
13:16
James Liddell
260,000 still without power across southern California
13:00
James Liddell
More than 260,000 homes and business are still without power, as wildfires charge through southern California.
Los Angeles and Riverside are the worst-impacted counties, with approximately 94,000 energy customers in each region left in blackout conditions, according to the latest figures from Poweroutage.us.
Arson suspect arrested by citizens near Kenneth fire armed with a ‘propane tank or flamethrower’
12:43
James Liddell
An arson suspect has been arrested around the area of the newly-sparked Kenneth fire after being accused of attempting to ignite a new blaze with a “flamethrower”.
While the cause for the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst friends are still under investigation, the Los Angeles Police Department initially said it believed the Kenneth fire was started intentionally.
At about 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, law enforcement officers responded to reports of a man attempting to light a fire behind a van on the 21700 block of Ybarra Road in Woodland Hills.
According to a witness, the man is believed to be in his mid-20s and speak Spanish as his first language.
James Liddell has the full story.
Evacuee returns to charred remains of Pacific Palisades
12:27
James Liddell
As of Friday morning, the Palisades fire has consumed more than 20,000 acres of Las Vegas’s landscape, leaving a path of desturction in its wake. A person can be strolling through the charred remains of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Thursday.
Explainer: Wildfires are increasing, so why is wood a popular building tool in hotspots?
12:13
James Liddell
Voices: California wildfires are not ‘natural disasters’ – they’re man-made catastrophes
11:57
James Liddell
California is burning – again. This time, in the middle of January, scorching homes in one of the wealthiest regions in the world.
Flames are threatening Hollywood landmarks, devouring multimillion-dollar mansions and forcing more than 130,000 residents to flee. Thick smoke has turned the city’s iconic skyline into a dystopian haze. By now, at least 10 people had been killed, at least 2,000 buildings scorched, and more than 330,000 left without power.
Everyone you speak to is saying the same thing: wildfires are a part of California’s identity, but this is the worst they’ve seen.
But the fires ripping through Los Angeles are not just another “natural disaster”. This is the future that climate scientists have been warning about for decades, brought to the doorsteps of the some of the world’s most influential people. So why has it taken us so long to care?
Climate Correspondent Stuti Mishra has the full story.
Mapped: Where are the Palisades, Kenneth, Hurst and Eaton fires?
11:41
James Liddell
National Guard deployed in looting clamp-down
11:24
James Liddell
Looting will not be tolerated. These communities have suffered enough.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 10, 2025
The National Guard deployment will bring our total on-the-ground personnel to 8,000.
We will continue to use every resource available to keep our communities safe. https://t.co/8rw9SsfcWK
Covid-19 face covering ‘do not offer protection’ against wildfire smoke
11:08
James Liddell
The National Weather Service said that face masks, like the ones used in the Covid-19 pandemic, do no protect against wildfire smoke.
The agency has given the adivce as air quality plummets in some SoCal regions as smoke continues to plume from raging wildfires.
“During a wildfire, protect yourself from smoke. Stay inside and close windows and doors,” the NWS wrote on X early on Friday morning.
“If you’re running an air conditioner, keep the fresh air intake closed and clean the filter to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside. Note that cloth face coverings worn to help protect against the spread of COVID-19 do not protect against breathing in wildfire smoke.”
Watch: Paris Hilton gives tour of ‘what used to be’ her home
10:51
James Liddell
I’m standing here in what used to be our home, and the heartbreak is truly indescribable. When I first saw the news, I was in complete shock—I couldn’t process it. But now, standing here and seeing it with my own eyes, it feels like my heart has shattered into a million… pic.twitter.com/mJcFjQVVX7
— Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) January 10, 2025
Hurst fire grows as firefighters manage to get a handle on blaze
10:34
James Liddell
#HurstFire - Acreage increases to 771 acres as a result of more accurate mapping. Containment increased to 37%, with 477 personnel assigned.
— Angeles National Forest (@Angeles_NF) January 10, 2025
Evacuation Orders lowered to Warnings at 3pm today.
For more information please visit Inciweb: https://t.co/OPB7QPSZ3Q@LAFD… pic.twitter.com/Go77hJBGS8
Just in: Potential new wildfire erupts in San Bernardino National Forest
10:20
James Liddell
A new wildfire is believed to have erupted in the San Bernardino National Forest, according to a report.
The fire is believed to have broken out on Friday morning at the southern Californian forest, situated near the Coachella Valley, according to Wildcad, a dispatch system used for wildland fire agencies, and images taken from University of California San Diego and ALERTCalifornia.
According to California Wildfire Tracking, a non-official X account who has been tracking the purported new blaze, it has grown to one acre.
It has been dubbed the Shady Fire, according to Wildcad.
The Independent has contacted the LAFD for more information.
In photos: Firefighters battle newly-sparked Kenneth fire
10:17
James Liddell
Watch: Heartbroken mother confronts Governor Gavin Newsom over raging wildfires
10:01
James Liddell
Police arrest ‘armed’ arson suspect near Kenneth fire
09:45
James Liddell
A man allegedly armed with a “flame-thrower” has been arrested after being accused of intentionally igniting a fire near the new Kenneth brush fire, according to police.
“What we know right now is the incident occurred; started here,” Sean Dinse, Senior Lead Officer of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Topanga Division, told KTLA 5.
Citizens restrained the suspect, who was allegedly armed, on Ybarra Road in Woodland Hills before police arrived at the scene.
“He had a propane tank, or a… it was a big yellow tank, like a flame-thrower basically. The neighbor said he saw the guy behind a van, trying to light something on fire,” said one of those involved in the citizen’s arrest.
10 killed by wildfires – but the true death toll remains unclear
09:29
Julia Musto
At least 10 people have been killed by the fast-moving wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, as the death toll continues to climb.
The Department of Medical Examiner announced it had received notification of 10 fire-related fatalities, as of 9 p.m. local time on Thursday.
Among those killed are 66-year-old Victor Shaw, 82-year-old Rodney Nickerson, and Erliene Kelley, whose age was not listed, according to The New York Times.
Anthony Mitchell, 67, and his 20-year-old son Justin — who was bedridden from cerebral palsy — were also among the dead, family confirmed to The Washington Post.
Officials have warned that the true extent of lives lost will remain unclear until investigators can attain access neighborhoods.
Milo Ventimiglia fights back tears while visiting rubble of charred home lost in California fire
09:13
James Liddell
Milo Ventimiglia fought back tears while visiting the remains of his house that was ravaged by the deadly California wildfires raging through the Los Angeles area.
The This is Us and Heroes actor was one of many Hollywood stars who lost their homes after evacuating Malibu on Tuesday (7 January) and, while surveying the damage for the first time, he emotionally reflected on the “heavy” loss.
He also described the incident as “life imitating art”, revealing it “wasn’t lost” on him that his This is Us character Jack Pearson saved his family from a house fire.
Jacob Stolworthy has the story.
Super Scooper plane makes emergency landing after hit by ‘drone strike’ while flying over Palisades fire
08:45
James Liddell
SuperScooper grounded after drone strike pic.twitter.com/a7ApxeNHm1
— L.A. County Fire Department (@LACoFDPIO)