LA fires live updates: Trump to visit California; evacuation orders issued as new blaze explodes near U.S.-Mexico border

WorldEnvironment
25 Jan 2025 • 12:49 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

image is not available

San Diego County’s Border 2 fire exploded Friday morning, spreading quickly over more than 4,200 acres early Friday.

Driven by critical fire weather, the new blaze has forced evacuation orders and schools announced they would close for the day.

“The main fire spread they are concerned about is generally spreading in a northern direction,” Cal Fire Captain Robert Johnson said of fire crews working to battle the Border fire.

He told The San Diego Union-Tribune early Friday that firefighters are seeing “some extreme fire behavior currently.”

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles County-based Hughes fire, which exploded near Castaic Lake on Wednesday, has spread across 10,396 acres and is at 56 percent containment. And, the Laguna Fire, which started in Ventura County on Thursday, is now 70 percent contained after engulfing 94 acres.

Nine fires are raging across Southern California, including the deadly and destructive Palisades and Eaton fires.

Later in the day, President Donald Trump is expected to visit impacted areas to survey the damage. It’s part of his first presidential trip since taking office.

“And I hope the president comes back after his visit tomorrow and is here for not just the short run, but the long haul,” Governor Gavin Newsom said Thursday.

Key Points

  • Here’s where the Southern California wildfires stand
  • Mapped: Where have Border 2 fire evacuation orders been issued?
  • President Donald Trump is expected to visit Southern California on Friday
  • Heidi and Spencer Pratt sue LA over wildfire devastation

Trump claims California wildfire devastation could have partially been prevented ‘if they had water, which they had plenty of but they didn’t use it’

18:01

,

Julia Musto

A patchwork of municipal water systems feeds Los Angeles, drawing water from 200 different utilities. They support a system designed to handle lower-level, urban fires — but not multiple large-scale wildfires descending from the hills.

Faced with multiple wildfires moving as fast as five football fields per minute, the system buckled.

While every bit of water helps, using fire hydrants and water hoses isn’t an effective method of battling “multiple onslaughts of fire under high wind conditions,” Faith Kearns, a water and wildfire expert with the Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University, told Axios.

Hurricane-force Santa Ana winds have driven this month’s fires.

“Is it going to save a whole neighborhood under those kinds of ... high wind conditions? Probably not,” she said.

With reporting from Josh Marcus

Border 2 fire blows ash on Southbay communities, may bring ‘unhealthful levels’ of particulate matter

17:47

,

Julia Musto

image is not available

The Border 2 fire continues to burn on Otay Mountain, west of Doghouse Junction on Friday.

As of the morning, wind is blowing the smoke toward the west and depositing ash on the ground in some communities in the Southbay area, according to the San Diego Air Pollution Control District.

“Winds are forecast to decrease later in the morning and shift direction, blowing east and northeast by early this afternoon. This change may cause smoke impacts in areas east and northeast of Otay Mountain, including Dulzura and Jamul. Winds are expected to blow the smoke towards the east-northeast through early Friday evening,” the district said.

Ground level smoke impacts are likely near and to the west and southwest of the fire through Friday morning, where levels of harmful particulate matter may “reach unhealthful levels.”

“In areas where you smell smoke it is advised that you limit physical/outdoor activity. If possible, stay indoors to limit your exposure to fine particulate matter and ozone, especially those residents with respiratory or heart disease, the elderly, and children,” the district warned.

If California had ‘released the water,’ there might not have even been a fire, Trump claims

17:27

,

Julia Musto

image is not available

President Donald Trump claimed Friday that if California had “released the water”: “You might not have even had a fire.”

Media outlets have previously reported that the president may be referring to the Columbia River, which flows from Canada into the Northwest and the Pacific Ocean. But, experts have said that Trump’s remarks are ”uninformed,” and that there is no infrastructure to send that water southward.

One of his first executive actions during his second term was a memo directing his administration to find ways to reroute water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to the rest of California.

While the state had initially argued his plan would harm the ecosystem, water also flows into the ocean to keep the delta fresh enough to export water to the south, according to UC Davis professor Jay Lund.

California says there is no shortage of water in the region, that all reservoirs are full, and that water is available.

The continued risk of deadly wildfires in the region is driven by strong Santa Ana winds and an extended period of drought. Climate change has made wildfires worse and more frequent.

Trump demands California voter ID law for wildfire relief and threatens FEMA upon arrival in North Carolina

16:55

,

Julia Musto

Border 2 fire forces smoke advisory

16:45

,

Julia Musto

image is not available

A smoke advisory is in place for the Border 2 fire.

Air quality concerns have forced the closure of multiple schools, including Salt Creek, Camarena, Wolf Canyon, Olympic View, Liberty, Eastlake, Marshall, and Arroyo Vista.

San Diego County Office of Education said Friday that schools in Mountain Empire Unified and Warner Unified School District will also be closed on Friday.

Firefighters have battled Southern California’s deadliest wildfires. Trump’s firestorm of misinformation hasn’t helped

16:32

,

Julia Musto

Trump on California wildfire aid conditions: ‘I just want voter ID as a start’

16:30

,

Julia Musto

Trump says wildfire aid will be ‘direct’ instead of going through FEMA

16:25

,

Julia Musto

President Donald Trump continues to hit California over wildfire response before leaving for North Carolina

16:12

,

Julia Musto

LA switches attention to flooding precautions as Palisades fire continues to burn

15:45

,

James Liddell

Latest maps show evacuation orders and warnings for the Border 2 fire

15:38

,

Julia Musto

image is not available

The evacuation area for the Border 2 fire is a large swath stretching north to Otay Lakes Road, east to state Route 94 and Dulzura, and west to Lower Otay Lake. It also includes the Otay Open Space Preserve.

Schools shutter amid Border 2 fire

15:31

,

Julia Musto

Border 2 fire burns close to San Diego County’s Otay Water District service area

15:27

,

Julia Musto

The National Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems fleet has been activated at the Channel Islands of California

15:25

,

Julia Musto

Photos show California wildfires in action on Thursday

15:23

,

Julia Musto

image is not available

image is not available

image is not available

image is not available

image is not available

California launches revamped fire relief website

15:15

,

Graeme Massie

California has revamped its fire relief website.

Fire victims can use the website to find information on how to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster relief, file insurance claims, replace documents and return to their homes safely.

Here’s where the Southern California wildfires stand on Friday morning

15:10

,

Julia Musto

image is not available

There are nine fires currently burning across California.

The deadly Eaton fire is now 95 percent contained, and firefighters have made serious progress on the Palisades fire. The 23,448-acre blaze is 77 percent contained.

The 10,396-acre Hughes fire, which started on Wednesday, is now at more than half containment, and crews quickly got a handle on Thursday’s much smaller Laguna fire.

But, the San Diego County Border 2 fire has picked up steam, jumping from under a thousand acres to more than 4,200 by Friday morning. That fire is at 10 percent containment.

Thursday’s Sepulveda fire near the 405 Freeway did not grow and remained at 60 percent containment. Two other fires that started Thursday were much smaller.

Riverside’s Clay fire is 90 percent contained.

In photos: Chula Vista residents brace as Border 2 fire flickers in darkness

14:45

,

James Liddell

The Border fire is now 4,250 acres and is 10 percent contained

14:38

,

Julia Musto

President Trump is heading to California today

14:35

,

Julia Musto

image is not available

President Donald Trump is expected to visit wildfire disaster zones in Los Angeles County, California, on Friday.

This marks the first trip of his second term. He is also visiting Hurricane Helene-ravaged North Carolina.

California Governor Gavin Newsom — who Trump has nicknamed “Newscum” — had invited the president following Trump’s continued criticism of the state’s fire response.

Newsom said Thursday that he had not been looped in on Trump’s plans, but that he plans to be on the tarmac to receive the president.

While Trump has said repeatedly that federal aid for California should come with conditions, Newsom and other state leaders have pushed back.

“No politics. No finger-pointing. We’re going to have the backs of the people of this state,” Newsom said Thursday. “And I hope the president comes back after his visit tomorrow and is here for not just the short run, but the long haul.”

Watch: Firefighters take to skies to tackle Border 2 blaze

14:15

,

James Liddell

More than 50,000 acres burned since Palisades fire broke out

13:45

,

James Liddell

More than 50,000 acres of southern Californian land has been torched since the Palisades wildfire broke out on January 7, taking 28 lives, destroying thousands of homes and causing hundreds of billions of dollars of economic loss in the state.

According to the latest figures from Cal Fire, approximately 50,683 acres have been burned – almost double the area of Paris.

The Palisades (23,400 acres burned), Eaton (14,000 acres burned) and Hughes (10,400 acres burned) fires continue to rage, as firefighters continue efforts to contain the blazes.

Road closure commence due to Border 2 blaze

13:15

,

James Liddell

Evacuation site set up as Border 2 fire rages across San Diego

12:52

,

James Liddell

Newsom announces $2.5bn fire relief package to help LA recover and rebuild

12:45

,

James Liddell

California announced a $2.5 billion fire relief package to bolster funding to help the Los Angeles area recover from its recent deadly wildfires.

Lawmakers overwhelmingly approved the bills, which had support on both sides of the political aisle, which now head to Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.

The proposals include $2.5 billion for the state’s emergency disaster response efforts such as evacuations, sheltering survivors and removing household hazardous waste. They also approved $4 million for local governments to streamline approvals for rebuilding homes, and $1 million to support school districts and help them rebuild facilities.

“$2.5B will be made available immediately for disaster recovery, debris removal, and more as we bolster ongoing emergency response efforts for the LA fires,” Newsom tweet on Thursday evening.

“We’re helping Angelenos rebuild their homes and businesses faster and acting in real time to get the job done.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Trump visiting Los Angeles today to survey wildfire damage

12:15

,

James Liddell

The president is flying down to the embattled City of Angels on Friday to survey the damage from the recent raging wildfires, having been highly critical of California Governor Gavin Newsom and local officials’ response to the disaster.

Trump has been issuing pronouncements like the below for the last two weeks while his congressional allies have suggested the blue state should only receive federal aid if “conditions” are attached, none of which can have been very helpful to the heroic emergency efforts on the ground still underway to tackle the blaze.

Meanwhile, Newsom has said he has had no communication from the White House about the visit.

Rain, thunderstorms and snow may provide respite

11:45

,

James Liddell

Warm, windy and dry conditions which have plagued much of the Los Angeles areas over the last week are due to take a turn, according to the National Weather Service.

While peak gusts are expected to hit 50mph in some mountainous regions of southern California on Friday morning, temperatures are expected to decline to the upper 60F and lower 70F from Friday as a cold storm system moves over the region.

Saturday looks on track to bring chances of rain, thunderstorms, and snow (in mountainous regions above 3,000ft), the agency said.

LA county officials warned of potential flooding, mudslides and debris run-off in scorched areas. So called “whiplash”-style swings between dry and wet conditions can also create broad swathes of dry, tinder-like vegetation that can easily catch fire.

‘GO!’: San Diego sheriff makes plea to those under evacuation orders

11:17

,

James Liddell

In pictures: Border 2 fire exploded near the U.S.-Mexico border

11:07

,

James Liddell

image is not available

Firefighters get handle on Hughes and Laguna fires

11:00

,

James Liddell

Firefighters continue to wrangle with the Hughes and Laguna fires raging across the Los Angeles area.

The Hughes blaze grew rapidly near Castaic Lake, about 45 miles northwest of LA, on Wednesday evening. As of Friday morning, the flames spread across 10,396 acres and is at 36 percent containment.

The Laguna Fire, which started in Camarillo in Ventura County on Thursday, is now 70 percent contained after engulfing 93.5 acres.

Border 2 fire mapped: Where have evacuation orders been issued?

10:36

,

James Liddell

image is not available

Heidi and Spencer Pratt sue city of Los Angeles over ‘untold devastation’ of California fires

10:30

,

James Liddell

Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are suing the city of Los Angeles after their Pacific Palisades home was destroyed in the devastating wildfires that have torn through southern California.

The reality TV couple, who rose to fame starring in hit teen series Laguna Beach and The Hills, filed the lawsuit on Tuesday (21 January) along with more than 20 other property owners and residents who have been affected by the Palisades Fire.

They are described as “property owners, tenants and individuals” who suffered “untold devastation” due to the fires such as damaged homes, insurance coverage shortfalls, mandatory evacuations, medical expenses, business interruptions and emotional distress.

Roisin O'Connor has the story.

image is not available

Heidi and Spencer Pratt sue Los Angeles over ‘untold devastation’ of California fires

Just in: Evactuation orders issued as Border 2 fire explodes to 800 acres

10:24

,

James Liddell

Hughes fire grows to nearly 10,400 acres; 36% contained

10:07

,

James Liddell

Firefighters battle new Border 2 Fire near U.S.-Mexico border

10:01

,

James Liddell

The Border 2 Fire exploded near the U.S.-Mexico border in the wilderness of San Diego County on Thursday afternoon.

The blaze is burning through the remote Otay Mountain Wilderness, making it harder to access on the ground, Cal Fire officials said. Air tankers and helicopters have been deployed in an attempt to extinguish the blaze before it reaches any populous areas.

As of late Thursday evening, it had churned through more than 500 acres and was 0 percent contained.

Chris Pratt gives makes rare comment about ex-wife Anna Faris after her home was destroyed in LA fires

09:40

,

James Liddell

Chris Pratt referenced his ex-wife Anna Faris when talking about the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.

The 45-year-old actor who is now married to Katherine Schwarzenegger rarely references Scary Movie star Faris, with whom he shares 12-year-old son Jack, in public.

In a video shared on his Instagram on Wednesday (January 22), Pratt updated fans, telling them he was returning home after evacuating due to the fires.

“Miraculously it’s still standing,” Pratt said about his house. “By the grace of God, we have four walls and a roof. I’m going to go check out the town. I haven’t been back since the Palisades fires.”

Amber Raiken has the story.

image is not available

Chris Pratt makes rare comment about ex-wife Anna Faris after she lost her home

Watch: Moment California skies turn apocalyptic orange as Hughes fire rages in LA

09:10

,

James Liddell

Warnings of flooding and mudslides in burn areas as weather patterns expected to change

08:41

,

James Liddell

Cal Fire Battalion Chief David Acuña warns of possible red flag event next week

08:01

,

Graeme Massie

image is not available

Cal Fire Battalion Chief David Acuña told CNN on Thursday that the state is “not out of the woods yet by any means.”

“We will continue to have a red flag warning through Friday. So, we’re not out of the woods by any means yet, and there’s a potential for another one next week,” he expalined. “So, we just need everyone to be braced and ready to evacuate if needed […] The problem with red flag warnings is that we have this wind that comes out of the desert. Now, normally, in a season where we’ve had plenty of rain, not a big deal. It’s like, oh, OK, well, there’s some wind, but we’ve had sufficient rain.”

“Right now, the fuel moistures, the grass and brush, how dry they are, is as dry as if it were July or August. So even though the temperature is cold, the humidity is very, very low. The fuel moisture is very low. And now, any fire is going to move very quickly,” said Acuña.

What do fire officials mean when they refer to ‘forward progress’?

06:08

,

Graeme Massie

image is not available

“Control of a fire has to do with our prediction that a fire is going to move out of an existing footprint,” Andrew Dowd, who is a Ventura County Fire Department Public Information Officer, told KCLU.

“In a wildfire situation, we use the term forward progress, and what that means is, if you can imagine the acreage of a fire, that is its footprint. When we say forward progress is stopped, that fire is not going to go forward any further,” he explained. “That is a terminology when we have taken a significant amount of heat out of the front of the fire, and we don’t expect it to spread significantly beyond its existing footprint.”

California banks and credit unions offer mortgage relief to wildfire victims

05:00

,

Graeme Massie

image is not available

Residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the Los Angeles firestorms are being offered mortgage relief by nearly 270 state-chartered banks, credit unions and other financial companies, Governor Gavin Newsom said Thursday.

“Today’s announcement by federal and California-based lenders helps provide survivors with the time and relief to address their immediate needs, rather than worrying about paying mortgage bills,” he said in a release.

Forecasters warn about incoming storm system for Southern California

04:09

,

Graeme Massie

View Original Article

Related News & Content

US military aircraft deport migrants as Pentagon readies more troops for border
4 Views

US military aircraft deport migrants as Pentagon readies more troops for border

The Sun Daily
Detentions in deadly Turkish ski resort fire rise to 14
1 View

Detentions in deadly Turkish ski resort fire rise to 14

The Independent
Firefighters tackle raging San Diego wildfire blaze from air with pink powder
1 View

Firefighters tackle raging San Diego wildfire blaze from air with pink powder

The Independent
LA fires live updates: Evacuation orders issued as new blaze explodes near U.S.-Mexico border
371 Views

LA fires live updates: Evacuation orders issued as new blaze explodes near U.S.-Mexico border

The Independent
Hughes fires mapped: Latest Los Angeles blaze totals more than 10,000 acres
3 Views

Hughes fires mapped: Latest Los Angeles blaze totals more than 10,000 acres

The Independent