California Los Angeles Wildfires Highlights: Death toll rises to 24; forecasts predict return of strong winds this week

Dozens of restaurants are offering free meals to the people who have had to evacuate following the wildfires in Los Angeles county, and the first responders and displaced people, CNN News reported. “It could have happened to us and we have an opportunity to do something good for people in our community," one of the restaurant owners told CNN. The restaurants are also delivering meals to fire stations nearby, besides working with the Salvation Army and the Pasadena Convention Center.

The Kenneth, Sunet and Lidia fires are now 100 per cent contained.

The Kenneth Fire burned 1,052 acres in West Hills.

The Lidia Fire burned 395 acres across Soledad Canyon road in Acton.

The Sunset Fire, behind the iconic Hollywood sign, burned 43 acres.

The Palisades Fire, the largest of the major fires, has been 13 per cent contained, and the Eaton Fire has been 27 per cent contained. On the other hand, Hurst Fire has been 89 per cent contained.

Kim Kardashian is advocating for better pay for incarcerated firefighters helping combat the Los Angeles wildfires, stating on her Instagram Stories, "I've spent the last week watching my city burn...thank you to @calfarm, LA County Fire and Los Angeles City Fire for everything you're doing to save lives, homes and property," while also highlighting that firefighters' pay has not kept pace with inflation, with a recent proposed raise to $5/hour reportedly being rejected.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a warning about the impending wildfire danger in Southern California, stating that the National Weather Service has issued "Particularly Dangerous Situation" warnings four times in the last three months, with the fourth warning set to start soon.

"Emergency responders are ready tonight... Pre-positioned firefighters and engines are spread around Southern California. Stay safe. Be ready to evacuate if you get the order," Newsom said, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and safety .

Despite ongoing wildfires, schools outside mandatory evacuation zones in Los Angeles county will reopen on Monday, after a two-day closure affecting 429,000 students, announced Superintendent Alberto Carvalho, although some schools, like Marquez school, were severely damaged by the fires, according to The Guardian.

The National Weather Service has warned that strong Santa Ana winds could return, issuing red flag warnings for severe fire conditions through Wednesday, as the region remains vulnerable to wildfires that have already leveled entire neighborhoods and seen no significant rainfall in over eight months, reported by The Guardian.

What are the Santa Ana winds?

Santa Ana winds are hot, dry, and windy blasts that come from the mountains of southern California and blow towards the ocean, bringing dry air instead of the usual moist air from the Pacific.

The death toll from the devastating fires in Los Angeles has risen to 24, authorities announced on Sunday, with eight fatalities reported in the Palisades Fire zone and 16 in the Eaton Fire zone, according to the County of Los Angeles medical examiner.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed an executive order to ease building restrictions and expedite the rebuilding process for homes and businesses destroyed in the recent wildfires.

By temporarily suspending environmental regulations and permitting requirements, Newsom aims to support wildfire victims in rebuilding their properties, which is estimated to cost between $135 billion to $150 billion over 10 years, according to AccuWeather. (The Guardian)

California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced the deployment of an additional 1,000 California National Guard service members to Los Angeles, bringing the total number of mobilized personnel to approximately 2,500. These service members will assist in keeping communities devastated by the fires safe, with some stationed at traffic control points to ensure public safety, while others support firefighting efforts and help maintain order.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire (CalFire) has issued a warning for southern California, cautioning residents of "critical fire weather" through Wednesday. "Life-threatening winds and dangerously low humidity are forecast for much of southern California - from Ventura to San Diego - creating a significant risk of rapid fire spread," CalFire warned, emphasizing that "the winds will cause increased fire activity."

Fire crews battling the Palisades Fire in California are utilizing drones equipped with infrared technology to pinpoint hotspots, reports BBC.

According to New Litz, firefighters are prioritizing populated neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Brentwood, employing helicopters, planes, and drones to drop water and retardant on the blaze.

California Senator Adam Schiff has called for an independent commission to review the state's response to the wildfires, reported NBC. While acknowledging the immediate need to control the fires, Schiff supported Governor Gavin Newsom’s push for an independent review of issues like water shortages for firefighters and water pressure problems in Altadena. Schiff expressed concern over false alerts, emphasizing that when people cannot trust evacuation warnings, it jeopardizes both their safety and the efforts of firefighters.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that 53 inspection teams are working to assess all buildings damaged by the wildfires, reported CNN, with plans to finish within two weeks. The inspections will help property owners with insurance claims and rebuilding, and the results will be available online. The inspections will cover thousands of homes, and Newsom promised to provide all needed resources. After inspections, the cleanup of debris and toxic materials will begin, which could take six to nine months.

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., whose district includes Altadena and parts of Pasadena, led a delegation to tour the damage from the Eaton Fire, reported NBC. On CBS' Face the Nation, Chu said she plans to invite House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and President-elect Donald Trump to see the destruction for themselves.

“We are planning to invite Speaker Johnson as well as President Trump, to come to this area and to witness the devastation for themselves," Chu said. "We have already been in touch with Republican Congress members, and they have expressed that they are very open to coming and seeing what is going on." This follows California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s invitation for Trump to tour the area, made just two days ago.

Two individuals were arrested for curfew violations in the Palisades Fire evacuation zone, near Vice President Kamala Harris' Brentwood residence, reported NBC. According to law enforcement officers, the individuals were not on the vice president’s property, which is protected by the US Secret Service. The arrested individuals reportedly appeared unaware of their location, as confirmed by a law enforcement source, NBC Los Angeles reported.

US President Joe Biden will hold a virtual briefing with key officials to address the ongoing wildfires in Southern California, the White House announced. The briefing will focus on “efforts to suppress the wildfires across Los Angeles and how the federal resources he has directed are supporting the state and local response,” an official said, as per CNN. Vice President Kamala Harris is also expected to participate, reported CNN.

According to the White House, attendees will include Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, FEMA Region 9 Administrator Bob Fenton, US Forest Service Chief Randy Moore, Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall, and Deputy Homeland Security Adviser for Resilience and Response Caitlin Durkovich.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Sunday that he will temporarily suspend key environmental laws to expedite rebuilding efforts in southern California areas devastated by wildfires, reported The Guardian. As part of an executive order, Newsom will waive the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act to eliminate delays in permitting and recovery processes. “When the fires are extinguished, victims who have lost their homes and businesses must be able to rebuild quickly and without roadblocks,” Newsom said. “The executive order I signed today will help cut permitting delays, an important first step in allowing our communities to recover faster and stronger.”

The order also directs state agencies to identify other permitting requirements that can be safely suspended or streamlined to accelerate recovery efforts. Additionally, protections against price gouging for essential goods and services, including construction materials and storage services, will be extended through January 7, 2026, across Los Angeles County.

The number of arrests during the Los Angeles wildfires has risen to approximately 29, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced, as per CNN. “Yesterday in Palisades, we had one arrest for curfew violation. Unfortunately, they resisted arrest,” Luna said. “And Eaton, we had six arrests last night, three for curfew violations and three for additional charges, including carrying a concealed firearm and narcotics-related charges.”

According to Luna, 25 arrests occurred in the Eaton Fire area, while four were made in the Palisades Fire zone. Luna talked about a concerning incident where individuals posed as firefighters to commit burglaries. “He was dressed like a fireman, and he was not. He’d just got caught burglarizing a home,” the sheriff said.

Authorities also noted that many of those arrested had no ties to the affected areas. “The individuals that we’re contacting do not live in the areas where we’re arresting them; we’re finding out they have zero business being in these areas,” Luna explained. The sheriff urged residents to avoid entering fire zones unnecessarily, warning that violators risk arrest.

At least 16 people have been reported missing amid the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna, reported NBC. "We have 12 in Eaton and four in Palisades," Luna said during a news briefing this morning. "If there's any good news, there's no juveniles missing within those numbers."

Luna added that the sheriff's office received "dozens and dozens more" missing person reports this morning but needs to reconcile those numbers before providing further updates. He urged anyone with missing family members to contact the sheriff's department.

The number of Los Angeles County residents under mandatory evacuation orders has dropped to 105,000, down from nearly 180,000 just days ago, according to Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna. Describing the update as "some good news," Luna cautioned that the situation remains uncertain, with heavy winds expected in the coming days. Additionally, 87,000 residents remain in evacuation warning zones and could be asked to leave at any moment. "I just want to remind everybody, if you are asked to leave and you're in an evacuation order area, your life is in danger," Luna said.

(With inputs from NBC)

More than 13,000 individuals have contributed over $6 million to the California Community Foundation’s Wildlife Recovery Fund, aimed at supporting Los Angeles residents impacted by the wildfires, Mayor Karen Bass announced during a news conference on Sunday. “People are coming from everywhere to help us and make sure that we are ready for the days ahead,” said Bass. “So to them, I want to say thank you.”

(With inputs from CNN)

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna gave an update on search and rescue efforts in the Eaton area, confirming 11 deaths from the Eaton fire and 3 from the Palisades fire. He also reported 16 missing persons, including 12 from Eaton and 4 from Palisades. Luna said that there are no missing juveniles among those listed, as reported by Guardian.

Flames were licking his fence, he was choking on smoke, and bullets were whizzing by his leg. Despite it all, Tristin Perez never left his Altadena home during the deadly Eaton fire.

The 34-year-old carpenter felt he had no choice but to stay despite the life-threatening conditions. A police officer told him and his neighbors to evacuate early on Wednesday morning as the fire raced down the hillside above them.

Instead, Perez insisted on trying to save his property and his neighbors' homes along El Molino Avenue. But he didn't even have a garden hose. He ripped the filters from two water pitchers and doused the ground, his wooden fence and every ember he could reach.

"Your front yard is on fire, palm trees lit up – it looked like something out of a movie," Perez told Reuters in an interview in his driveway. "I did everything I could to stop the line and save my house, help save their houses."

His one-story yellow duplex survived. So did two more homes next door. Across the street, entire houses burned to the ground. A single brick chimney stood alone in the wreckage.

"When you look across the street... If I wasn't here, that is what would have happened," he said. "I felt so bad for them. It's absolutely awful."

Perez mourned the losses here. He moved to Altadena three years ago and rented his two-bedroom unit. He fell in love with the tranquil and tight-knit community of about 40,000 people north of Los Angeles, where neighbors are friendly and look out for each other.

As of late Saturday, officials said the Eaton fire was 15% contained, and that the fire threat remains high across the Los Angeles area. Overall, six simultaneous blazes that have ripped across Los Angeles County neighborhoods since Tuesday have killed at least 16 people and damaged or destroyed 12,000 structures.

(Reuters)

Wildfires raging across the Los Angeles region have claimed at least 16 lives so far, with officials warning the death toll could rise. Fuelled by dry conditions and powerful winds, the fires have engulfed thousands of structures and forced around 180,000 residents to evacuate.

Here is what we know so far about some of the victims:

Anthony Mitchell, 67, and his son Justin, who had cerebral palsy, tragically died in their home in Altadena.

Hajime White, Anthony’s daughter, said her father called her on Wednesday morning, saying they had to evacuate. “Then he said, ‘I’ve got to go—the fire’s in the yard,” she told The Washington Post. Read More

At least 20 people have been arrested for looting evacuated homes in Los Angeles, including two who posed as firefighters, according to officials from the Los Angeles Police Department.

During a community meeting in the Palisades, Captain Mike Lorenz said, "Looting is an issue, the number of arrests is continuously growing."

"We even made arrests of two individuals that were actually posing as firefighters coming in and out of houses," he added, as quoted by BBC.

(Photo: Reuters)

The Santa Ana winds are expected to peak later today, with gusts reaching up to 70 mph in higher areas and 55 mph at lower levels. Winds are likely to ease later but might strengthen again by tomorrow into Tuesday, before easing again on Wednesday, as reported by Sky News.

The American National Weather Service has a strong wind advisory until 3 pm local time on Wednesday.

Nearly 35,000 homes and businesses in Los Angeles are without electricity, according to Poweroutage.us, an outage monitor that tracks blackouts across the US.

Latest data shows around 18,400 customers of electric services company Southern California Edison, 16,100 customers of Los Angeles Department of Water & Power, and 100 customers of Pasadena Water and Power are still without power, as fires and damage have affected power lines statewide.

According to a recent update from Sky News, at 2 a.m. in Los Angeles, firefighters are still battling four major fires ravaging the city.

Many people in Los Angeles have lost their homes, businesses, and personal belongings, with many already working to rebuild their lives.

Basic items such as laundry detergent and rubber gloves are in short supply. As a result, some residents in Pasadena, where the Eaton fire is still burning, sought donations with handmade signs along the roadside.

At nearby Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, displaced residents sift through piles of donations, searching for blankets, shoes, clothing, and toilet paper.

(Photos: Reuters)

California Attorney General Rob Bonta has warned that price gouging, looting, and scamming in response to wildfires are illegal, and offenders will be held accountable.

“We’ve seen businesses and landlords … jack up the price,” he said, as quoted by the Guardian. “It’s called price gouging. It is illegal. You cannot do it. It is a crime punishable by up to a year in jail and fines.”

Bonta stated that prices should only rise by 10% or less from before the fire, reiterating that “this is California law and it’s in place to protect those suffering from a tragedy”.

His comments come amid reports of California residents who have lost their homes to the wildfire and are struggling to find housing due to price gouging, where prices are excessively inflated during emergencies.

“We put in an application at a house … that was listed at $17,000 a month, and they told us if we didn’t pay $30,000, we weren’t going to get it. They told me they have people ready to offer more and pay cash. It’s absolutely insane,” Maya Lieberman, a 50-year-old stylist, who is unable to find housing, said, as quoted by AFP news agency.

The Sanata Ana winds and wildfires are a natural to California. However, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) stated that 10 of the largest wildfires in the state have occurred in the last 20 years, and five of them happened in 2020 alone. With the increasing green house emissions, there has been a rise in global temperatures, and snow has been melting earlier in springs.

Moreover, the journal Nature Scientific Reports highlighted that the annual burn season in the state has lengthened in the past two decades with the yearly peak shifting from August to July.

2024 was the warmest year record globally, with temperatures exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above its pre-industrial levels.

Lastly, this winter has been exceptionally dry, compared to the last two years', making the terrain and vegetation favourable for wildfires.

A preliminary estimate by AccuWeather put the damage and economic losses so far between $135 billion and $150 billion.

The fires that began Tuesday just north of downtown LA have burned more than 12,000 structures. a term that includes homes, apartment buildings, businesses, outbuildings and vehicles.

- Palisades Fire, the most widespread, burned 23,654 acres and is 11 per cent contained.

- Eaton Fire, burning 14,117 acres, is 15 per cent contained. The LA county Fire Department reported that this fire was reponsible for damaging more than 7,000 structures.

- Kenneth Fire burned 1,052 acres and is 90 per cent contained.

- Hurst Fire which, spread across 799 acres, 76 per cent contained.

- Lidia Fire, the smallest of the wildfires, spread across 395 acres, is 100 per cent contain.

No cause has been determined for the largest fires. --with AP Inputs

The New York Times reported that firefighters have prevented the blaze in the Mandeville Canyon from spreading by clearing the vegetation in its path. A public information officer at The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said that all the houses along the road have been saved. However, he noted that the fire was still not fully contained in the area.

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows the Eaton Fire on Wednesday in Altadena. The Eaton Fire burned more than 14,000 acres and is 15 per cent contained.

(Photo: Maxar Technologies via AP)

Satellite Image provided by Maxar Technologies showing the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood burned down by the Palisades Fire. The Palisades Fire burned more than 23,000 acres and is 11 per cent contained.

(Photo: Maxar Technologies via AP)

Satellite image showing an overview of the Palisades Fire (left) and Eaton Fire burning (right) on Thursday.

(Photo: Maxar Technologies via AP)

Bollywood Actress Preity Zinta, who is based out of Los Angeles, says she is safe but heartbroken by the devastation caused by the raging wildfires in the US city.

Since the fires first began on Tuesday just north of downtown Los Angeles, they have burned more than 12,000 structures, a term that includes homes, apartment buildings, businesses, outbuildings and vehicles. --PTI

The pink fire retardant, which is being used to quell the California wildfires, is known as Phos Check. It has been around in the US for decades. It is slurry that contains salts of ammonium phosphate, and it does not evaporate easily like water. It is sprayed on vegetation ahead of the fire.

The colour is added to ensure that it is visible to firefighters against a landscape.

Aside from concerns pertaining to its effectiveness, environmentalists have pointed out that causes pollution in rivers and other water bodies because it contains toxic metals.

(Reuters Photo)

The LA County Fire Department shared an update on X detailing the containment of the wildfires.

The Kenneth Fire, spread across 1,052 acres, is 90 per cent contained, while the Lidia Fire, across 395 acres, is 100 per cent contained. The Hurst Fire is 76 per cent contained.

Two of the major wildfires, the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire continues to burn across 23,654 acres and 14,114 acres, respectively.

In a report on the Eaton Fire, one of the four major fires, the LA County Fire Department revealed that 7,081 structures may have been damaged or destroyed.

Some residents have been venturing back to see what can be salvaged after wildfires destroyed their homes, sifting through rubble for keepsakes. But officials on Saturday urged them to stay away, warning that the ash can contain lead, arsenic, asbestos and other harmful materials.

“If you're kicking that stuff up, you're breathing it in,” said Chris Thomas, a spokesman for the unified incident command at the Palisades Fire. “All of that stuff is toxic.”

Residents will be allowed to return, with protective gear, after damage teams have evaluated their properties, Thomas said. --AP

The Los Angeles County medical examiner's office confirmed the death toll from the wildfires ravaging the area has risen to 16.

The total of confirmed fatalities stands at 16 victims, and the cases remain under investigation. Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire, and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the coroner's office said in a statement Saturday evening.

The previous number of confirmed fatalities was 11, but officials said they expected that figure to rise as cadaver dogs search levelled neighbourhoods and crews assess the devastation. --AP

LA county sheriff Robert Luna said in a press conference that 22 people were arrested for curfew violations, burglary and looting in areas affected by the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire.

California National Guard have been deployed to support law enforcement.

Earlier, Newsom slammed Elon Musk on X after the latter shared a post claiming that California Democrats are decriminalising looting.“Stop encouraging looting by lying and telling people it’s decriminalized. It’s not. It’s illegal as it always has been. Bad actors will be arrested and prosecuted," the governor wrote on X.

The New York Times reported that fires in southernmost section of the Mandeville Canyon -- impacted by the Palisades Fire -- have been put out, and now, personnel are focusing on the northern section.

According to The New York Times, the Department of Medical Examiner reported that 11 people have been killed in the Eaton Fire and five in the Palisades Fire.

So far, 12,000 structures have been burned down in the fire.

To quell the Palisades Fire, California has deployed two C-130s equipped with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) to drop 3,000 gallons (approximately 12,700kg) of fire retardant.

Each drop reportedly lasts a quarter-mile stretch and covers a width of 60 feet. The system can be refilled and airborne in under 20 minutes.

Some evacuation orders for the Eaton Fire in California have been lifted, allowing residents in Bradbury, Duarte, and parts of La Cañada Flintridge to return home, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, as reported by CNN.

However, the community of Altadena remains off-limits due to the fire's heavy impact. Residents returning home are advised to exercise caution due to hazards like unstable structures, downed power lines, and toxic ash, with the sheriff's department assuring a strong presence in the area to ensure resident and property protection.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a new website, CaliforniaFireFacts.com to combat the spread of misinformation and disinformation related to wildfires in the state. The website aims to counter false information spread online and by political leaders, which Newsom says is "divisive" and "malicious".

Governor Gavin Newsom notified that 72 firefighters and emergency personnel have arrived from Mexico to aid the state in fighting the Los Angeles fires.

"Emergencies have no borders, and we are deeply grateful to President @Claudiashein for your unwavering support during one of California’s greatest times of need," he wrote on X.

(Photo: @CAgovernor/X)

Governor Gavin Newsom has notified that the state has deployed over 14,000 firefighting personnel and 1,680 troops of the California National Guard.

In addition to this 1,668 fire engines, water tenders and dozers, and 71 helicopters have also been deployed.

The National Weather Service warns that "very dangerous" fire weather conditions will persist into next week in Southern California, with forecast sustained winds of 20 mph and gusts over 40 mph, potentially spreading ongoing fires and sparking new ones, CNN reports.

Residents have set up a citizen-organized donation center at a gas station on the Altadena and Pasadena border, offering free food, clothes, hygiene supplies, pet food, and water to those affected by the wildfires, with one of the organizers, George, saying the center evolved from a spontaneous idea to collect donations.

LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley is under scrutiny as wildfires devastate the city, burning over 5,000 structures in Pacific Palisades. Appointed in 2022 to address discrimination and harassment within the fire department, Crowley now faces criticism over resource shortages and budget cuts. Crowley publicly criticized City Hall for reduced overtime and staffing, which she says hindered preparedness. “I’m not a politician; I’m a public servant,” she told CNN, vowing to prioritize firefighter needs.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) was also faulted after hydrants ran dry, though the agency cited extreme water demand. Gov. Gavin Newsom has launched an investigation, while Crowley expressed frustration, stating, “When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there’s going to be water.”

About 20% of fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades ran dry Tuesday night due to "extreme water demand," according to LA’s Department of Public Works. The agency clarified in a statement that all hydrants were operational prior to the fire, aiming to address “misinformation” about the water system.

“Any assertion that fire hydrants in the Pacific Palisades were broken before the Palisades fire is misleading and false,” the statement reads. “LADWP’s fire hydrant repair list was current and updated, and all reported fire hydrants were fully operational in the Pacific Palisades and in LA’s Westside communities prior to the fire.”

The agency attributed the water pressure loss to the overwhelming demand to fight the wildfire without aerial support. The statement also addressed the empty Santa Ynez Reservoir, which LA fire chief Kristin Crowley said Friday she had not been informed about. The reservoir was taken offline to comply with safe drinking water regulations, according to the Department of Public Works. Repairs required adhering to the city charter’s competitive bidding process, which caused delays.

(With inputs from The Guardian)

Los Angeles firefighters are racing to control the region’s destructive wildfires ahead of the return of strong Santa Ana winds, which could intensify the flames. Among the areas under threat are the J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles, as well as celebrity residences in Mandeville Canyon. Helicopters and ground crews worked relentlessly Saturday to combat the Palisades Fire, which expanded overnight to 56 square miles. CalFire Operations Chief Christian Litz emphasized the urgency, saying, “We need to be aggressive out there.”

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced, as per The Guardian, that the state will deploy over 135 firefighters, emergency personnel, and medical staff to assist in battling the California wildfires. The deployment will also include more than 45 fire engines, ambulances, command vehicles, and equipment. “Our hearts grieve with the entire Los Angeles community as they continue to respond to these destructive wildfires,” Abbott said. “Texans know all too well the devastation wildfires can cause to our communities, and our country is stronger when we come together in times of crisis.”

The announcement comes amid political tension between Democrats in California and Republican president-elect Donald Trump. California leaders have urged Trump to visit the state and ensure continued disaster relief once he takes office later this month.

As the number of active wildfire incidents around Los Angeles drops to four, evacuation orders remain in effect, reported BBC. The Palisades Fire in the west grew by 1,000 acres overnight, bringing the total to 21,000 acres. It is currently 11% contained, and evacuation orders are still in place for large parts of the region, including Brentwood and Encino.

According to Josh Sautter, head of the Encino neighborhood council, the orders have caused widespread panic, with residents in the area "completely freaked out."

Actress Jennifer Garner has shared that one of her friends tragically died in the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires. Speaking to NBC in the Pacific Palisades, Garner said, "I’m looking at the chimney of somebody that I loved who died there… It’s too awful to talk about." She added, “I did lose a friend and for our church it’s really tender so I don’t feel like I should talk about it yet… But I did lose a friend who did not get out in time.”

Mexico has deployed firefighters to Los Angeles, reported BBC. Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico's president, shared a photo on X showing dozens of emergency service personnel preparing to leave in front of transport aircraft. "You carry with you the courage and heart of Mexico," Sheinbaum wrote. Reports confirmed that another group of Mexican firefighters had already arrived, although the exact number was unclear. In addition to Mexico's support, Canada has also contributed aid to LA, sending planes capable of dumping large quantities of water or fire retardants on the flames.

Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley provided an update on the Palisades Fire, confirming it has grown to 22,660 acres, reported BBC. She noted a significant flare-up on the northeastern boundary of the fire the previous evening. In response, additional resources were redeployed from the San Fernando Valley, and the fire department used a "relentless air attack" to contain more of the blaze.

Crowley also reported on other fires, stating the Hurst Fire has spread to nearly 800 acres and is now 76% contained, with two structures damaged. The Sunset Fire has been "halted and stopped at 42 acres." With high winds forecasted in the coming days, Crowley warned that another critical weather event is expected, but assured that they are prepared to use "every single resource" to protect the city and its residents.

A wildfire expert has warned that the fires raging across Los Angeles may take weeks to fully extinguish due to the combination of wild and urban terrain, reported BBC. Lindon Pronto, a senior wildfire management expert at the European Forest Institute, explained that this type of fire, which is rapidly advancing into urban areas, is a new phenomenon.

Pronto, who began his career as a firefighter with the US Forest Service, pointed out that similar fires have occurred in Europe in recent years, causing significant destruction. He described these fires as "very large fires being blown directly into very urban areas, with very catastrophic losses." Unlike typical urban fires that are confined to structures, these wildland fires spread quickly and are much more difficult to control. "These fires will take many days, if not weeks, to extinguish completely," Pronto added.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass addressed the media, responding to questions about the ongoing wildfire crisis in the city. During the briefing, as per BBC, she was asked about her interactions with Donald Trump's administration in light of the devastation caused by the wildfires. Bass stated that she had not heard from Trump's team regarding the situation.

She also addressed reports that fire chief Kristin Crowley had been summoned to a meeting by Bass to discuss her position, reported BBC. Bass clarified that she and Crowley were in "lock step" in solving the crisis, and any internal differences would be dealt with privately. Crowley echoed the sentiment, stating that they were "on the same page" and working together to serve the community.

Disney has announced a $15 million donation to support relief and rebuilding efforts amid the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, reported The Guardian. In a statement released on Friday, the Burbank-based company said, "The history of The Walt Disney Company is inextricably linked to the greater Los Angeles region, and the destruction from the devastating fires affecting thousands in our area is truly heartbreaking. Today we are committing $15 million for initial and immediate response and rebuilding efforts.”

Disney CEO Bob Iger added, “As this tragedy continues to unfold, The Walt Disney Company is committed to supporting our community and our employees as we all work together to recover and rebuild from this unbelievable devastation… We are proud to provide assistance to this resilient and vibrant community in this moment of need.”

Actor James Woods revealed, as per AP, that his Pacific Palisades home survived the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, despite earlier fears of complete destruction. “A miracle has happened,” Woods posted on X. “We managed to get to our property and our home, that we were told is gone forever, is still standing.” He added, “In this hellish landscape ‘standing’ is relative, but smoke and other damage is not like the utter destruction around us.”

Earlier this week, Woods was among hundreds of thousands forced to evacuate as the fires intensified. Regular updates from Woods on X had shown charred ruins near his home, and he believed his property would be lost. “So many beautiful messages from all of you,” he later posted. “I’m so happy and grateful, but honestly the entire area looks like the dark side of the moon.”

The city of Beverly Hills confirmed in a tweet on Saturday that an evacuation alert sent to some residents at 4 a.m. PST was a mistake, reported The Guardian. “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,” city officials stated.

A petition on Change.org demanding the resignation of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has gathered over 57,000 signatures as of now, reported The Guardian. The petition accuses Bass of failing to lead during the ongoing crisis and calls for her immediate resignation. It also demands, as per The Guardian a “full” and “transparent” investigation into disaster preparedness, response, and resource allocation, along with “accountability for the mismanagement of taxpayer funds intended for disaster relief and recovery.”

Authored by a “frustrated Californian,” the petition states: “The people of Los Angeles deserve a leader who is present, accountable, and actively working to protect and serve our community. Mayor Bass’s actions—or lack thereof—have shown she is unfit for the office she holds.”

The two largest wildfires in Los Angeles - Eaton and Palisades - have witnessed improved containment as firefighters made progress in their efforts, the LA Times reported. The Palisades fire, which has spread across 21,596 acres, is under 11 per cent containment, an improvement from the 8 per cent on Friday. The Eaton fire in Pasadena, which was blazing uncontained for a few days and has burnt through 14,117 acres, is now under 15 per cent containment, as per Cal Fire department.

The biggest among the five wildfires - the Palisades fire - is moving eastward, forcing evacuation at the Getty Center, as per CNN News. Only a small team of emergency staff remains at the cultural institution. “Getty is complying with the current evacuation order and is closed with only emergency staff on site,” the museum said in a statement to CNN.

The evacuation orders were issued after the Palisades fire expanded, and extend to Interstate 405 and the Encino Reservoir, which borders one of LA's busiest freeways and the museum. Firefighters are currently fighting the Palisades blaze in the Mandeville Canyon area, CNN quoted the LA Fire Department as saying.

The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) asked its students to be prepared for a possible evacuation, with the Palisades fire expanding, The Guardian reported. While establishing that this was "not an evacuation alert" the university asked the students on campus to remain vigilant. "... be ready to evacuate, should the alert be extended to our campus," the statement said. “We will provide additional information about evacuation instructions, if needed,” it added. The university campus, which houses more than 40,000 students, is located in western LA, and covers more than 419 acres

Prince Harry and Meghan met evacuees of the California wildfires, handing out food to them, The Guardian reported. They also met Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, and emergency personnel who have been involved in contained the Eaton fire. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also reside in California, about 90 miles from Los Angeles.

While saying that he expects progress in efforts to contain the fire to "keep moving in the right direction", California Fire Battalion Chief Brent Pascua said that he was staying "cautiously optimistic" about the wind over the next two days, CNN News reported. “We’re going to keep getting a handle on this fire, keeping it within its perimeter," CNN quoted Pascua as saying. With the Palisades fire at 8 per cent containment, Pascua said that he hopes "we’ll see that number change this morning when the sun comes up and we get to see … the total amount of line that was put in overnight and the work that was done yesterday".

The United States National Weather Service has issued a new 'Fire Weather Watch' warning for Saturday through Sunday for large parts of Southern California, NBC News reported. The prediction says that strong gusty winds up to 45mph could be experienced in The Inland Empire, San Bernardino County mountains, Santa Ana mountains and inland Orange County. The agency warned that if any wildfires start, they could spread rapidly owing to such weather. A Fire Weather Watch is the stage before Red Flag Warnings, predicting critical fire weather conditions, as per NBC.

The Palisades fire has expanded to the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, which increases fears about the fire expanding into the Brentwood and Encino neighbourhoods, necessitating evacuation orders in some parts, the LA Times reported. The Palisades fire flared up on Saturday, moving towards the north and east directions, through the Santa Monica mountains.

Pope Francis on Saturday expressed “heartfelt condolences for those who mourn their loss”, The Guardian reported. “His Holiness Pope Francis assures you and the community affected by this tragedy of his spiritual closeness,” a statement sent on the Pope's behalf to the archbishop of Los Angeles, José H Gómez, said. The Pope also prayed “for the relief efforts of emergency services personnel”.

Fire agencies are investigating whether the Southern California Edison's utility infrastructure has any link to a brush fire that is still burning a Los Angeles suburb, news agency Reuters quoted SCE as saying on Friday. The SCE said that no such link had been established yet. In a filing to its regulators, the SCE, which is responsible for much of the electricity supply in Southern California, said that a downed conductor has been found at a tower under its Eagle Rock - Sylmar 220 kV circuit, as per AP.

"SCE does not know whether the damage observed occurred before or after the start of the fire," the utility, which comes under Edison International, said. The SCE further said that as per preliminary investigation, the circuit had experienced relay at 10:11 pm, a minute after the Hurst fire was reported on January 7.

While urging President-elect Donald Trump to "visit and understand the magnitude" of the wildfires on Los Angeles, California Governor Gavin Newsom said that he was "not interested in politicising an event like this", as per The Guardian. Newsom, who shared a video of an interview he had done on X, said that this is an emergency. "... having this kind of friction when it comes to emergency response with emergency responders, these heroes, 12,000 that are on the frontlines right now? Taking care of people, making sure people are still alive … we’re still doing emergency maintenance and evacuation. We’re still concerned about flare ups and spotting," The Guardian quoted him as saying.

Newsom further said that there were children who did not have money for baby formula who were being provided with disaster assistance, and people staying in hotel rooms who had money only for one night who did not get a chance to see their homes. "We want to get them emergency assistance over the course of the next 18 months. That’s why I was with the Fema (Federal Emergency Management Agency) director today, and that’s what the president of the United States and I are talking about," he added.

The worst wildfire also forced dozens of celebrities, like Mark Hamill and Ben Affleck, to evacuate their homes while others, like Paris Hilton, watched theirs burn to ashes on live television.

Actress-singer Paris Hilton said that she witnessed her oceanfront Malibu burn down live on television. “Heartbroken to find out what happened to my house by seeing that it was burning to the ground on live tv,” she wrote on Instagram. Hilton also wrote that it was where her son, Phoenix, took his first steps and that she planned on building “a lifetime of memories” with her daughter London. (Photo: @parishilton/Instagram)

Actor Cameron Mathison, known for playing Ryan Lavery in All My Children, shared a clip of his house reduced to smouldering ruins. (Photos: @cameronmathison/Instagram)

“The one positive sign i saw as our house burned down was ours sons bed burned in the shape of a heart,” reality TV star and husband of Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt, wrote on Instagram, as he moved his family to a safer location. (Photo: @spencerpratt/Instagram)

With 11 people killed and 12,000 structures burned down, the California fires rages on. Citizens have begun evacuating their domestic animals.

“I stuffed 15 dogs in a black Prius and two cats,” Arianna Buturovic told AP. But she still had nine more dogs and a pig to evacuate, so flagged down some 18-year-olds with a truck who agreed to take them to a shelter. She couldn't bring two ponies with her, but she left the corral open so they could escape if needed.

On the other hand, Wendy Winter and her husband decided Tuesday evening that they should buy some cat carriers so they could evacuate their Altadena home with their felines.

The Pasadena Humane Society reportedly took in 250 pets since the fires started, and Los Angeles County Animal Care was looking after 97 pets. --AP

The NBA has postponed the LA Clippers game on Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets due to the ongoing wildfires and out of respect for the public health service resources required.

The Sanata Ana winds and wildfires are a natural to California. However, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) stated that 10 of the largest wildfires in the state have occurred in the last 20 years, and five of them happened in 2020 alone. With the increasing green house emissions, there has been a rise in global temperatures, and snow has been melting earlier in springs.

Moreover, the journal Nature Scientific Reports highlighted that the annual burn season in the state has lengthened in the past two decades with the yearly peak shifting from August to July.

2024 was the warmest year record globally, with temperatures exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above its pre-industrial levels.

As the Los Angeles-area wildfires continue to smolder, families are returning to their neighborhoods to survey the devastation and search for memories amidst the ashes, with many finding only charred remnants of their homes and belongings, AP reports.

Mandatory evacuation orders and evacuation warnings have been extended into Encino on the northern edge of the Palisades Fire, which continues to burn after breaking out on Tuesday.

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has issued evacuation orders for areas including from Sunset Boulevard north to the Encino Reservoir and from Interstate 405 to Mandeville Canyon, with additional warnings issued for surrounding neighborhoods.

(With inputs from NBC)

Civilians flying drones near wildfires are posing a significant threat to firefighting operations, officials warn, citing a recent collision between a drone and an aircraft performing water drops, which left a hole in the wing of the aircraft.

Operations Chief Kristian Litz emphasizes that while drones can be useful for officials to spot areas to mitigate, civilian drones create "a very dangerous situation" that forces operational aircraft to pull back.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and his wife Chelsea have pledged $300,000 to support wildfire relief efforts in the aftermath of the devastating LA fires, CNN reports.

The donation will be split among the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Pasadena Fire Department, and the Salvation Army to aid in the relief efforts.

US Representative Ted Lieu has joined the growing chorus demanding an investigation into the water issues that hindered firefighters' efforts to combat the destructive Palisades Fire in Los Angeles.

Lieu emphasized the need for a thorough probe to identify areas for improvement, acknowledging that no water system is equipped to handle multiple simultaneous wildfires . Governor Gavin Newsom has also voiced support for an investigation into the water system issues. (NBC)

More than 12,300 structures have been destroyed in the Southern California fires, with over 5,000 likely damaged or destroyed in the Eaton Fire and 5,316 structures claimed by the Palisades Fire, according to Cal Fire, NBC reports.

Mexico is lending a helping hand to California's wildfire relief efforts, with firefighters en route to battle the Eaton Fire in the Angeles National Forest. Governor Gavin Newsom expressed his gratitude for the support, stating that the Mexican firefighters will join over 10,000 personnel already on the ground.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that the firefighters would come from Mexico's National Forestry Commission and Ministry of Defense disaster relief section, marking a significant display of international cooperation in the face of natural disasters.

(with inputs from NBC news)

Eleven deaths have been confirmed in the Southern California wildfires, with five fatalities in the Palisades Fire and six in the Eaton Fire, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office, NBC reports.

The National Football League (NFL) has committed $5 million to support relief efforts for the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, with contributions from the Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans, and the NFL Foundation, NBC reports.

Governor Gavin Newsom has directed state officials to investigate reports of insufficient water supplies and pressure for firefighters battling the Santa Ana wind-fueled blazes in Los Angeles County.

Newsom expressed concern over the reports in a letter to the leaders of the LA Department of Water and Power and LA County Public Works, describing them as "troubling".

The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) declared a public health emergency for California, reported Reuters, due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County, which have killed 10 people and destroyed nearly 10,000 structures. The declaration allows Medicare and Medicaid providers greater flexibility in addressing health needs.

The HHS is also prepared to deploy medical supplies and responders if requested. US President Joe Biden previously declared the fires a major disaster, pledging 100% reimbursement for recovery costs over the next six months.

All schools in the Los Angeles Unified and Pasadena Unified school districts remain closed amid the ongoing wildfire crisis, as per The Guardian. “The confluence of factors – wind, fire, and smoke – have created unpredictable, complex situations that present potentially unsafe conditions for our school communities,” the LAUSD said in a statement.

“Select essential personnel will be contacted by their supervisors regarding potential work duties. As the Los Angeles region continues responding to this unprecedented crisis, the health and safety of our students and employees are of the utmost importance.”

Joe Biden remarked that Los Angeles now resembles a "war scene" due to the devastating effects of the wildfires, reported BBC. He noted issues with some fire hydrants running dry and expressed frustration, saying "gimme a break," while empathizing with the mayor for facing "heat" over the situation.

Answering media questions, Biden assured that "every single thing we are doing" is being communicated with the incoming president's team, expressing hope they will continue the efforts. On the loss of life, Biden said, "it is likely it will increase, whether significantly or not, we don't know yet," and voiced his concern over "clear evidence of looting" in evacuated homes.

Vice President Kamala Harris described the impact of the wildfires as "mass devastation" during a briefing, reported BBC.

She acknowledged the profound loss faced by families who have lost both their homes and livelihoods in the fires. This devastation is "multi-generational and is going to linger for quite some time," Harris said. "There are moments where we should find optimism in the heroism of people," she added.

LA County Fire Chief Anthony Perrone announced that one of the county's two Super Scooper aircraft was grounded for emergency repairs following a drone incursion during the Palisades fire. The aircraft, which sustained wing damage from the collision, is expected to return to service by Monday. No injuries were reported in the incident.

“Flying a drone in the fire traffic area is not only dangerous but it’s illegal,” Perrone said, emphasizing that individuals operating drones over wildfire zones will face prosecution. The LA County Fire Department stated earlier that the Super Scooper Quebec 1, designed specifically for aerial firefighting, was taken out of commission after being struck by a civilian-operated drone.

(With inputs from The Guardian)

Airbnb has announced an expansion of its housing support, reported The Guardian, aiming to assist an additional 25,000 people affected by the wildfires. Earlier this week, the company partnered with 211 LA, a resource hub for local residents and organizations, to provide free, temporary housing for individuals and families who have lost their homes or been forced to evacuate.

According to Airbnb, 6,500 people have already been offered emergency housing through its hosts, though thousands remain displaced. “The situation is devastating, and we’ll continue to do everything we can to support the Los Angeles community,” the company said in a statement.

Joe Biden has reiterated his commitment to assisting those affected by the wildfires, vowing to help them overcome this "living nightmare." "To the Southern California families impacted by this disaster: I know you are in a living nightmare," he wrote on X."I promise we’re going to help you get through this and eventually recover and rebuild," he added.

In an accompanying video, Biden emphasized that "we're doing everything we can at a federal level" and assured, "we're going to make sure you get every resource you need."

He also announced the approval of California Governor Gavin Newsom's request for a major disaster declaration, which provides immediate financial assistance to cover essentials like "groceries to baby formula to prescriptions" for those most affected.

(With inputs from BBC)

The Palisades fire has spread to about 20,438 acres of land, with 8 per cent containment at present, The Guardian reported LA city fire chief Kristin Crowley as saying. Crowley said that more than 3000 personnel had worked overnight to contain spot fires in and around the Topanga Canyon. These personnel also worked towards strengthening the containment lines, which could be at risk with wind gusts expected to increase in daylight hours, The Guardian reported.

All evacuation orders for the Hurst fire and Kenneth wildfire have been lifted, The Guardian quoted LA city fire chief Kristin Crowley as saying. While the Hurst fire, which has spread across 771 acres, is at 37 per cent containment, the Kenneth fire's progress has also been halted, and it is 35 per cent under control, as per Crowley.

About 153,000 Los Angeles residents are still under evacuation orders, with 166,800 residents being under evacuation warnings, The Guardian quoted LA county sheriff Robert Luna as saying. He further said that around 57,830 structures in the county are at risk.

The Los Angeles county apologised after it sent evacuation alerts to millions of residents in LA, who received a text message warning asking them to evacuate, The Guardian reported. “We are working with Fema to investigate the issue,” the LA county said in a post on X. The evacuation alert was followed by a second message asking residents to ignore the warning. “For the most current status of evacuation orders and warnings please review the map of evacuations on Alertla.org,” the county said.

"High end" Red Flag Warnings are still in effect for Los Angeles and Ventura counties on Friday, with strong winds and low humidity continuing in the region, CBS News quoted per the US National Weather Service as saying. A Red Flag Warning means warm temperatures, expected to combine with low humidity and strong winds, thus increasing danger of fires, as per the US weather department.

Forecasters said that "critical fire weather conditions" will continue across Southern California "through at least this morning", CBS News reported.

The Kenneth wildfire, which started on Thursday evening and has now spread to 960 acres, is now threatening residential neighbourhoods on the outskirts of Calabasas, CNN News reported. The fire, which is burning northeast of Calabasas, has not been contained yet.

Earlier, authorities had arrested a man who was in the vicinity of the fire on the suspicion of arson. According to CNN News, the officials received a call from a witness who saw the man “attempting to light a fire".

With firefighters making efforts to protect Mt Wilson and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, officials said that they had made progress in protecting these sites from the Eaton fire, which has still not been contained, the LA Times reported. “We’re actively engaged there, and so far, no loss to any values at risk at Mt. Wilson," Don Fregulia, operations section chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said. “We’re feeling good about what we have to do up there tonight to keep that site secure," he added, as per the LA Times.

While the evacuation warnings for the Kenneth fire were lifted and authorities had stopped the blaze from progressing, CBS News Los Angeles reported a flare up Friday morning. The fire, which was reported to be in a canyon, burnt on at least one home, as per CBS News.

All evacuation warnings for the Kenneth fire - which broke out on Thursday evening and spread to over 900 acres - have been lifted, the LA Times reported. The fire was burning near Calabasas, in the eastern Ventura County.

While acknowledging that containing the fires would involve "a lot more work", battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, Brent Pascua, said that they were "headed in the right direction", CNN News reported. “Yesterday we were very hopeful that we could turn a corner on this fire, and we did," Pascua said. With Palisade fire 6 per cent under control on Friday, Pascua hoped that the containment could reach double digits by the end of the day.

The Los Angeles County will experience red flag fire weather throughout Friday, followed by relief from the winds on Saturday, the LA Times reported. However, gusty winds from the north and northeast might return on Sunday (Jan 12), which could be the beginning of as many as three Santa Ana winds over the next week.

“There is great concern that fire weather conditions could become exacerbated given the antecedent conditions, little rain across the area since the spring of 2024, and another offshore wind event on top of all of what we have seen,” the LA Times quoted the National Weather Service as saying.

As of Friday, five wildfires are still blazing in California, according to news agency Reuters. Among these, the Pacific Palisades fire between Santa Monica and Malibu on the city's western flank, and the Eaton Fire in the east close to Pasadena have already been ranked as the worst in Los Angeles history. The two wildfires have destroyed more than 34,000 acres of land. While the Palisades fire is 6 per cent controlled, the Eaton fire has not been contained at all.

The Kenneth fire near Calabasas, which started Thursday night and spread over 960 acres in a few hours, was 35 per cent controlled by Friday, Reuters quoted officials as saying. Meanwhile, the Hurst Fire was 37 per cent under control, while the smallest wildfire, the Lidia Fire, was 75 per cent contained, as per the Reuters report.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna late Thursday night said that he doesn't expect good news, while adding that the department was not looking forward to those numbers, as per news agency Reuters. "It looks like an atomic bomb dropped in these areas," Luna said while addressing a press conference.

More than 90,000 homes and business ares till in the dark in areas serviced by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and SoCal Edison as of Friday morning, CBS News reported. The LADWP trucks were on service throughout Thursday night to Friday morning, in order to restore power.

Prince Harry and Meghan urged people to donate clothing, children's toys and other essential items to the victims of the wildfire in California, CNN news reported. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex said that some "have been left with nothing". The couple reportedly donated clothing, children's items and other necessary items to those affected by the wildfires. They also provided a list of resources of groups and initiatives active in the region.

Amid warnings being issued by the authorities about looters and scammers, a nightly curfew from 6 p.m to 6 a.m. has been imposed across areas of the Los Angeles county which are under evacuation orders, CNN news reported. The curfew, which bans people from public places in zones where evacuation orders are in place, will remain imposed till county officials issue lifting orders. Defying the curfew could result in a fine of up to $1,000 or a prison sentence of up to six months, as per CNN.

American media personality Paris Hilton shared a video of her Malibu home which was destroyed by the wildfires in the region on X, expressing her "shock". "I’m standing here in what used to be our home, and the heartbreak is truly indescribable," Hilton posted.

"What breaks my heart even more is knowing that this isn’t just my story. So many people have lost everything. It’s not just walls and roofs—it’s the memories that made those houses homes," she further said.

With wildfires ravaging the region, Los Angeles county officials are urging people to use masks owing to the hazardous air quality, CBS news reported. The air quality also led to the Los Angeles Unified School District officials to close campuses till Friday.

"Fires may be far away from some communities where we have schools. However, winds are transporting particulate matter, smoke and ashes across the entire district," CBS news reported Superintendent Alberto Carvalho as saying.

Amid warning issued by authorities regarding looters and scammers “who are targeting vulnerable victims”, Governor Gavin Newsom approved a request for members of the National Guard to expand the law enforcement in the state, CNN reported. “To those who would seek to take advantage of evacuated communities, let me be clear: looting will not be tolerated,” CNN quoted Newsom as saying.

As per the statement released by Newsom's office, this deployment will bring the number of personnel on the ground to 8000.

The ongoing wildfires in California, which have ravaged several parts of Los Angeles, have left a devastating toll, including the destruction of numerous celebrity homes. High-profile figures such as Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, and Adam Brody are among the many who have lost their properties in the blaze, as the fires continue to sweep through some of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in the region.

Pacific Palisades: A neighbourhood under siege Pacific Palisades, a neighbourhood that is home to numerous celebrities, has become one of the hardest-hit areas in the fires. The blaze, which started earlier this week, rapidly grew in size, transforming from a relatively small brush fire to an inferno that has engulfed over 15,000 acres. The area is home to numerous celebrities, and the destruction has been immense.

Actor James Woods, famous for roles in “Casino” and “Nixon”, is one of the many whose homes were destroyed in Pacific Palisades. Speaking on CNN, Woods emotionally recounted the experience of watching his home go up in flames. “One day you’re swimming in the pool, and the next day it’s all gone,” he said. His wife’s eight-year-old niece even offered her piggy bank to help them rebuild. Read Here

Actor Cameron Mathison shared a clip of his house reduced to smouldering ruins. (Photos credits: @cameronmathison/Instagram)

Wildfires continued to blaze across Los Angeles, California, on Friday (January 19), killing 10 people, forcing over 130,000 people to evacuate, and burning down homes, including of celebrities like Paris Hilton, Adam Brody, Billy Crystal, and others. Some of the blazes still burning are the Palisades fire, the Eaton fire, Sunset, Hurst, and Lidia fires.

Hollywood Hills is among the areas affected, and the Oscars nominations announcement has been delayed by two days because of the fire.

While California is no stranger to wildfires, the current flare-up is very big and very fast. More remarkably, it is in winter, traditionally not the wildfire season. So why is Los Angeles burning at this time, and why is the fire so bad? Click here to know more

The fires billowing across Los Angeles in California have led to widespread destruction, killing at least seven people and destroying acres of land and property. About 1,80,000 people have already been evacuated.

Visuals from the coastal city show burning houses and vehicles. Iconic landmarks, charred black, are set against an eerie orange glow in the Two of the worst fires, and among the largest in Los Angeles history, remain uncontained.

The Palisades fire, which experts have called the “largest fire in the history of Los Angeles”, has spread across nearly 20,000 acres and destroyed more than 5,000 structures, including the affluent residential neighbourhood of Pacific Palisades.

The Eaton Fire, spread across 13,700 acres, too has destroyed over 5,000 structures.

A new fast-moving Kenneth Fire, which was spotted on Thursday, has added to the woes of the beleaguered firefighters. Read Here

Raging wildfires have left a trail of destruction in California, US, killing at least 10 people and damaging more than 10,000 structures. At least 1,80,000 people have been evacuated as fast-moving flames blazed through the Palisades, Eaton Hill and Hollywood Hills neighbourhoods since Tuesday night.

While fierce winds – propelling the fire – eased last night, the National Weather Service warned that even reduced gusts could still spread fire rapidly. Rescue operations are ongoing, and satellite images have revealed the extent of the destruction caused by the wildfires.

Satellite images captured by Maxar Technologies shows smoke emitting from scores of houses and a blaze engulfing a vast area in Altadena. As seen in the images, the fire has left the coastline along the famous Malibu neighbourhood scorched black, with buildings flattened to smoldering rubble. Another image, giving an elevated view of the neighbourhood near Marathon Road, shows plumes of black smoke emitting from the structures. Click here

Officials reported on Thursday that the two largest wildfires tearing through the Los Angeles area have destroyed at least 10,000 homes, buildings, and other structures. They also urged more residents to follow evacuation orders as a newly ignited blaze rapidly expanded. (Picture credits: New York Times)

A firefighting aircraft flying over the Palisades fire in Los Angeles collided with a drone, the Federal Aviation Administration was quoted as saying by The New York Times, warning that flying drones can disrupt firefighting efforts and endanger lives.

Los Angeles animal shelters are overwhelmed, housing 1,500 animals across six facilities, with county care centers nearing capacity, according to officials. Pasadena Humane alone has aided over 300 animals in under 24 hours, many suffering burns, injuries, and smoke-related damage. Shelters are urgently calling on the public to foster animals to ease the burden, The Guardian reported.

Two massive wildfires sweeping through the Los Angeles area have claimed 10 lives and destroyed over 10,000 homes, buildings, and other structures, officials reported on Thursday. Authorities are urging residents to comply with evacuation orders as a new blaze has erupted and is rapidly spreading, according to the Associate Press reports.

California Governor Gavin Newsom shared in a post on X that the California National Guard has been deployed to Los Angeles to assist local law enforcement. "Taking advantage of evacuated communities is absolutely sick. Looting will not be tolerated," Newsom added.

Las Vegas officials have advised drivers to limit car usage due to disruptions in fuel supply from a pipeline linking Los Angeles to the city.

The CalNev pipeline, which carries petrol, diesel, and jet fuel from California to Las Vegas, has been shut down since January 8 due to a power outage.

Additionally, Kinder Morgan’s SFPP West pipeline, which supplies fuel to Phoenix, Arizona, and parts of California, is also affected by the power cut.

Officials assure that the pipelines have not been damaged by fires and are expected to resume operations once the power outages are resolved.

The US Forest Service has reported that the Hurst fire has now scorched 771 acres and is 37% contained. A total of 477 personnel have been assigned to combat the blaze, The Guardian reported

The death toll from wildfires in Los Angeles has risen to ten from seven, Los Angeles County's Medical Examiner said in an update late on Thursday. (Reuters)

Firefighters from several US states and Canada are being deployed to California to assist in battling the raging wildfires, alongside US. federal personnel and resources. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed solidarity, saying, "To our American neighbors: Canada's here to help," acknowledging that Canada has also been grappling with severe wildfires of its own.

The forward progress of the Kenneth fire has been halted, with the blaze currently spanning 960 acres and 0% containment, according to a social media update from the Ventura County Fire Department. Around 400 firefighters will stay on-site overnight, focusing on structure protection and extinguishing hot spots. No structures have been reported as damaged or destroyed.

World Central Kitchen, the global humanitarian organization led by celebrity chef José Andrés, is actively providing meals in three Los Angeles locations to support first responders and families impacted by the Southern California wildfires.
On Tuesday, the relief team joined forces with local chefs and restaurants, including Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken of Socalo and Border Grill, Roy Choi’s Kogi BBQ, and Tony Leitera of Nate ’n Al’s, to help with the efforts, Los Angeles Times reported.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced that resources to combat the ongoing wildfires are being deployed from various states, including Oregon, Utah, and Nevada. Additionally, firefighters, aviation assets, and other support personnel from the California National Guard have joined the firefighting efforts.

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) has declared the closure of all schools and offices this Friday due to the ongoing fires. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho confirmed that two elementary schools have been destroyed, while a high school has suffered extensive damage.

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on X Thursday evening that the Hurst fire is now 37% contained. The fire, which started on Tuesday, was previously 10% contained and has now spread across 855 acres.

More than 153,000 residents in Los Angeles County are under evacuation orders, according to the latest update from Shawn Boyd at California’s State Operations Center. Seven shelters have been set up to assist those displaced, with over 1,500 people already seeking refuge, the Guardian reported.

President Joe Biden announced on Thursday a significant mobilization of federal resources to support Southern California. "Hundreds of federal firefighters, 30 firefighting helicopters and planes, 8 DoD C-130s, and 500 military ground-clearing personnel. We’re working with the Department of Defense to identify what more we can surge," Biden added.

The fires have already burned over 29,000 acres, killed at least five people, and displaced tens of thousands. Many celebrity homes, including those in affluent neighbourhoods like Calabasas and Malibu, have been damaged or destroyed. The economic toll is expected to surpass $50 billion, with California’s insurance industry facing severe challenges due to these ongoing wildfires.

The death toll from the Palisades and Eaton fires has climbed to seven, LA County Fire Department spokesperson Carlos Herrera confirmed. The Eaton Fire near Pasadena has claimed five lives, according to Carlos Herrera, public information officer for the LA County Fire Department. Meanwhile, the Palisades fire along the Los Angeles coast.

Vice President Kamala Harris has canceled her upcoming trip to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany to remain in the United States and support the federal response to the devastating wildfires in California. As a native Californian, Harris is taking a proactive role in addressing the crisis.

This move comes after President Biden also canceled his trip to Italy to meet with Pope Francis, demonstrating the administration's commitment to prioritizing the wildfire response efforts .

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) has lifted mandatory evacuation orders for the Hurst Fire in the Sylmar area of Los Angeles. The fire, which started on Tuesday, has burned 671 acres and is currently 10% contained, according to Cal Fire. Although the mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted, evacuation warnings remain in place, advising residents to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice if necessary.

At least six people have lost their lives in the devastating California wildfires, with a second victim discovered in the Palisades Fire, bringing the total deaths in that blaze to two, and four more fatalities reported in the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, officials confirmed. (NBC)

A VW van sits among burned out homes, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Malibu, Calif. (AP)

Nancy Belanger pours water on a neighbor's fire-ravaged property in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP)

Firefighters extinguish burning embers at a house on Santa Rosa Avenue, also known as Christmas Tree Lane, after the house was destroyed by the Eaton Fire, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP)

A new brush fire, dubbed the Kennith Fire, has broken out in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, near Calabasas, prompting mandatory evacuation orders for residents in the area, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The fire department is closely monitoring the situation, and residents are advised to follow evacuation orders and stay safe.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has condemned looting amid the devastating wildfires, saying "I'm gonna make this crystal clear to everybody out there:... if you commit certain crimes, it could jump up to a felony".

Authorities have arrested at least dozen on suspicion of looting, with Sheriff Luna pushing for a 6 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew to prevent further incidents, according to BBC.

The Eaton Fire in Los Angeles County has grown to over 13,690 acres, with 0% containment, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Tony Marrone, BBC reports. The fire is moving towards the historic Mount Wilson area, with more than 1,500 firefighters battling to control the blaze, which has potentially put over 4,000-5,000 structures at risk of damage or destruction.

President Joe Biden has directed California officials to spare no expense in combating the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, with the federal government covering 100% of the firefighting costs for the next 180 days, NBC reports.

Biden made the announcement after approving a federal disaster declaration for Los Angeles, and in response to Gov. Gavin Newsom's request for increased funding. The federal assistance will also provide cash aid for immediate needs like food, as well as support for fire management and debris removal.

Canada is lending a helping hand to California as it battles devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles region. The premier of Alberta, Danielle Smith, has pledged to send water bomber aircraft, helicopters, and other resources to support the relief efforts.

“Our hearts go out to everyone in California who has been evacuated due to the devastating forest fires,” Premier Danielle Smith wrote on X. “Good neighbours are always there for each other in times of need, and we will assist our American friends in any way they need during this crisis.”

She wrote that the government was sending incident command team support, water bomber aircraft and helicopters with night vision capabilities.

“Alberta is also actively working with the federal government and the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) to assess California’s needs,” Smith wrote.

This comes after Quebec's government sent two water bomber planes, and a British Columbia company dispatched aircraft to help combat the fires, ABC reported.

The wildfires have destroyed over 1,900 structures, including the homes of celebrities like Billy Crystal, Jeff Bridges, Mandy Moore, Paris Hilton, and Jhené Aiko. Over 180,000 residents remain under evacuation orders as the fires, fueled by dry conditions and high winds, continue to wreak havoc across the city.

Billy Crystal and his wife lost their Pacific Palisades home of 45 years, while Mandy Moore’s Altadena residence was severely damaged, and Jhené Aiko’s home was completely destroyed. Paris Hilton and Jeff Bridges also shared the heartbreak of losing homes tied to cherished memories. Late Wednesday, a fire broke out near the Hollywood Bowl and Dolby Theatre but was contained without damage to these landmarks.

Jamie Lee Curtis has pledged $1 million to support relief efforts, collaborating with city and state leaders to help those affected. Curtis, who evacuated her home, described the devastation as deeply personal, noting that many friends and neighbors have lost everything. The fires have also disrupted Hollywood's awards season, with multiple events postponed and Oscar nominations delayed. As Los Angeles faces these historic wildfires, efforts continue to provide aid and contain the destruction.

(With inputs from AP)

The Sunset Fire in Runyon Canyon has been fully contained, the Los Angeles Fire Department announced as per NBC, and evacuation orders for the area have been lifted. The Sunswept Fire in Studio City has also been extinguished, and the Woodley Fire was contained on Wednesday.

Airdrops will continue as hundreds of firefighters work to combat remaining fires across the city, reported NBC. A smoke advisory remains in effect, and the L.A. County Department of Public Health advises residents to limit outdoor exposure, avoid unnecessary activities outside, and reduce physical exertion.

President Joe Biden will hold a briefing with administration officials to assess the "full federal response" he has directed for the Los Angeles wildfires, reported NBC. The briefing, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET, was added to his agenda following the memorial services for former President Jimmy Carter at the National Cathedral.

The NBA has postponed tonight’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte Hornets due to the ongoing wildfires devastating the city. A new date for the game, which was scheduled at the Lakers’ home arena, has yet to be determined. In a statement, the NBA expressed gratitude to local firefighters and first responders for their bravery and extended prayers to those affected by the wildfires. The Lakers echoed these sentiments in their own statement, emphasizing the need to prioritize what matters most during this crisis.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick’s family was among those forced to evacuate their Pacific Palisades home earlier this week.

(With inputs from NBC)

Netflix has cancelled the New York premiere of its film "Back in Action," featuring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx, reported NBC. The event was scheduled for Thursday at The Plaza Hotel but was called off due to the fires affecting industry members and their families.

Firefighters made progress Thursday in containing Los Angeles wildfires after high winds eased, but major blazes remain uncontrolled. Five deaths have been reported in the Eaton Fire near Pasadena. The Palisades Fire, now the city’s most destructive, burned thousands of structures and 45 square miles. “It is safe to say this is one of the most destructive natural disasters in the city’s history,” said LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley.

About 180,000 people remain under evacuation orders as fires devastated Pacific Palisades and Altadena. Celebrities, including Mandy Moore and Billy Crystal, lost homes, prompting Jamie Lee Curtis to pledge $1 million for relief efforts. Officials warn of worsening conditions as they continue to assess the damage and address water shortages during the crisis.

(With inputs from AP)

L.A. County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella stated that the department has been concentrating on restoring utilities due to the "significant damage" caused by wildfires to the county's sewer, power, and transportation systems. He added that thousands of trees had been felled, and a "tremendous amount of debris" had accumulated in the affected communities.

Pestrella cautioned that the debris could be hazardous and toxic, and should be cleared by professionals. He also mentioned that the water supply system is still supporting fire suppression efforts, with the city's reservoirs being used for aerial operations.

(With inputs from NBC)

Sheriff Robert Luna addressed the uncertainty surrounding the wildfire death toll, stressing on the need for more detailed searches. "At one point, we’ll be able to do a more thorough search of these impacted areas — some of them look like a bomb was dropped in them — where we will be able to bring in canines and other things to help us, hopefully not discover too many fatalities, that is our prayer," Luna said during a fire briefing.

"This is a crisis," he added, explaining that the sheriff's office is collaborating with the coroner's office. "We’ll figure out those numbers. So be patient with us when you ask us about death toll numbers. Right now, frankly, we don’t know yet."

(With inputs from NBC)

Nearly 180,000 residents in Los Angeles County have been ordered to evacuate, according to Sheriff Robert Luna. "179,783 people are under evacuation orders due to the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Lidia fires," Luna stated.

Additionally, evacuation warnings have been issued for another 200,000 people. "I cannot emphasize enough that I urge residents that are asked to evacuate to follow our warnings," he added.

(With inputs from NBC)

Firefighters battled early Thursday to control a series of major fires in the Los Angeles area that have killed five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their homes.

Ferocious winds that drove the flames and led to chaotic evacuations have calmed somewhat and were not expected to be as powerful during the day.

That could allow firefighters to make progress reining in blazes that have hopscotched across the sprawling region, including massive ones in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.

‘Wildfires do not care about jurisdictional boundaries’ A Los Angeles County official said the region was mourning the loss of lives and property after several wildfires wreaked destruction in southern California.

Kathryn Barger, the chair of the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, made the comments during a news conference on Thursday morning.

“While we are still facing significant threats, I am hopeful the tide is turning,” Barger said.

Authorities are working “hand in hand” across jurisdictions, she said.

A pair of massive wildfires menacing Los Angeles from the east and west were still burning unchecked early on Thursday, two days after they ignited, but firefighting crews made progress overnight in controlling a smaller blaze burning in the hills overlooking Hollywood Boulevard.

The Palisades fire between Santa Monica and Malibu on the city's western flank and the Eaton fire in the east near Pasadena are already the most destructive in Los Angeles history, burning nearly 28,000 acres - an area exceeding the size of Disney World. At least five people have been killed and thousands of structures have been incinerated.

The twin blazes - part of a pincer around the city so expansive that it was visible from space - remained entirely uncontained as of 6:30 a.m. (1430 GMT), according to Cal Fire.

"This firestorm is the big one," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told a press conference after rushing back to the city, cutting short an official trip to Ghana.

Firefighters, assisted by helicopters dropping retardants and water, managed to make gains in battling the Sunset Fire, which had forced mandatory evacuations in Hollywood and Hollywood Hills - including famous show-business locations such as the TCL Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood Walk of Fame - late on Wednesday.

Evacuating a wildfire area can be scary, but experts say people can significantly improve their own safety with a little preparation and common sense.

Creating a wildfire action plan, packing a “go bag” and maintaining basic situational awareness during evacuations can make a big difference when escaping a disaster, Jesse Torres, a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said.

But the most important tip? Don't wait around for an evacuation order, Torres said.

“The biggest thing is to get out early, before the notifications come out. It’s so important to avoid the congestion,” he said.

That’s especially true in areas that have narrow roadways or limited routes, Torres said, because traffic jams can form quickly: “Everyone’s doing the same thing — they’re all trying to get out.”

The Palisades Fire is the most destructive in LA history.

An estimated 1,000 structures have been destroyed in the hilly coastal neighbourhood of Pacific Palisades, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.

The wreckage surpassed that of the Sayre Fire of November 2008, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, the northernmost suburb of the city, according to statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance, a partnership between the city's fire department and MySafe:LA.

Some 40 square kilometres have been burned in Pacific Palisades, which is dotted with celebrity homes and was memorialised by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit “Surfin' USA.”

The flames torched part of Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions, including the 1976 horror movie “Carrie” and the TV series “Teen Wolf.” The fire destroyed the public library, two major grocery stores, a pair of banks and several boutiques in Palisades Village.

Residents rushing to escape created a traffic jam, blocking emergency vehicles from getting through. Crews used a bulldozer to push the abandoned cars off to the side. Photos depict what some residents describe as an apocalyptic scene.

Other fires are also causing havoc.

Farther inland, the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena burned between 200 and 500 structures, substantially damaged five school campuses in Altadena and scorched more than 16.5 square miles (43 square kilometers). Employees at a senior centre pushed dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds to a parking lot to escape.

The Hurst Fire, which started about 10:30 pm Tuesday, prompted evacuations in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley and grew to one square mile (2.6 square kilometres).

Late Wednesday, another blaze broke out in the Hollywood Hills.

Thousands have been ordered to evacuate.

At least 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate - a number that kept changing because evacuation orders were continually being issued.

Several hundred were at the Pasadena evacuation centre by Wednesday afternoon. Many were elderly.

The flames marched toward highly populated and affluent neighbourhoods, including Calabasas and Santa Monica, home to California's rich and famous. Hollywood stars, including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods, were among those forced to flee.

Bad air quality is impacting millions.

The fires filled the air with a thick cloud of smoke and ash, prompting air and dust advisories for 17 million people across a vast stretch of Southern California, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The worst conditions were in the vicinity of the fires. In East Los Angeles, the air quality index hit an unhealthy 173. Good air quality is considered to be 50 or less.

Dr Puneet Gupta, the assistant medical director for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said wildfire smoke causes heart attacks and worsens asthma, while burning homes can release cyanide and carbon dioxide.

-AP

Several events have been cancelled and postponed

The NHL postponed the Los Angeles Kings' home game against the Calgary Flames. They had been set to play at the Kings' downtown arena Wednesday night.

The Critics Choice Awards rescheduled their Sunday ceremonies for January 26. They're due to be held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, only miles from Pacific Palisades.

The organisation that puts on the Oscars has extended the voting window for Academy Awards nominations and delayed next week's planned nominations announcement.

Many people are also without power.

About 310,000 customers were without power in Southern California late Wednesday, with more than half of them in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us, which tracks outages nationwide.

Universal Studios also cancelled shooting for numerous series, including “Hacks,” “Ted Lasso” and “Suits LA.” All schools will be closed Thursday in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Film studios cancelled two movie premieres because of the fires and windy weather, the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park closed for the day because of smoky, windy conditions and the J Paul Getty Trust said two of its museums, the Getty Villa and Getty Center, will remain closed for the next few days.

Firefighters battled early Thursday to control a series of major fires in the Los Angeles area that have killed five people, ravaged communities from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena and sent thousands of people frantically fleeing their homes.

Ferocious winds that drove the flames and led to chaotic evacuations have calmed somewhat and were not expected to be as powerful during the day.

That could provide an opportunity for firefighters to make progress reining in blazes that have hopscotched across the sprawling region, including massive ones in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.

The latest flames broke out Wednesday evening in the Hollywood Hills, striking closer to the heart of the city and the roots of its entertainment industry and putting densely populated neighborhoods on edge during exceptionally windy and dry conditions.

But only about a mile away, the streets around the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the TCL Chinese Theatre and Madame Tussauds were bustling, and onlookers used their phones to record video of the flaming hills.

Within a few hours, firefighters had made major progress on the Sunset Fire. Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Erik Scott said they were able to keep the fire in check because “we hit it hard and fast and mother nature was a little nicer to us today than she was yesterday.”

-AP

Flames are seen through a window of a burning building, as powerful winds fuelling devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area force people to evacuate, at the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, US. (Reuters Photo)

Billy Crystal lost the Pacific Palisades house where he had lived since 1979.

Paris Hilton watched her Malibu beach mansion burn down on live TV.

Jamie Lee Curtis, James Woods, Mandy Moore, Mark Hamill and Maria Shriver were among the other celebrities forced to evacuate as out-of-control fires in Los Angeles swept across some of the most lavish real estate in the world.

The largest blaze consumed nearly 12,000 acres (5,000 hectares) in Pacific Palisades, a picturesque neighborhood between the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu that is home to many film, television and music stars.

The $6.5 million home of "Gossip Girl" star Leighton Meester and her husband Adam Brody of "The O.C." went up in flames.

Perennial Oscars host Crystal and his wife Janice said they were heartbroken to lose the Pacific Palisades house where they had raised their children and grandchildren since 1979, "but with the love of children and friends we will get through this".

Reality TV star Hilton said she was "heartbroken beyond words" to lose her beachfront mansion. "Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience," she wrote on X.

-Reuters

If you are joining us just now, this is what we are covering

The Hollywood Hills blazed uncontrollably on Thursday morning as the worst wildfires in the history of Los Angeles raged across the city and deep into the storied heartland of the American film industry.

A crescent of flame squeezed Los Angeles in a huge pincer visible from space.

What we know so far

-Reuters

Schools and buildings from Texas to Georgia were shut down Thursday or prepared to close ahead of freezing rain and snow forecast for much of the Southern US as another burst of plunging temperatures and winter storms threatened to again snarl travel.

Texas schools cancelled classes for more than 1 million students in anticipation of icy and potentially dangerous conditions that could last into Friday.

Closures also kept students home in Kansas City and Arkansas' capital, Little Rock, while Virginia's capital, Richmond, remained under a weather-related boil advisory.

The cold snap coincided with rare January wildfires tearing through the Los Angeles area, forcing residents to flee from burning homes through flames, ferocious winds and towering clouds of smoke.

In the Dallas area, crews treated roads ahead of the expected arrival of 2 to 4 inches (about 5 to 10 centimeters) of snow Thursday.

-AP

Flames are seen through a window of a burning building, as powerful winds fueling devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area force people to evacuate, at the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, U.S. January 8, 2025. (Photo Reuters)

The wildfires that have ravaged parts of Los Angeles may have burned down an estimated $52 billion to $57 billion in preliminary damage and economic losses.

This is according to preliminary estimates by commercial weather forecasting service provider AccuWeather.

An estimated 1,000 structures have been destroyed in the hilly coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.

A fire broke out near Sunswept Drive and Vanetta Place in Studio City late Wednesday night, damaging several homes as firefighters rushed to contain the flames. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported that more than 50 firefighters, aided by helicopters, had contained the blaze by 10 pm local time, though one home was destroyed, collapsing under the fire’s intensity, according to NBC4.

The blaze, named the Sunswept Fire, began as a small brush fire before rapidly spreading to nearby homes, igniting spot fires that caused additional damage. While no injuries were reported, officials said the full extent of the damage had yet to be assessed.

The Sunswept Fire is one of several wildfires sweeping across Los Angeles County, part of a devastating series of blazes that have already claimed at least five lives and caused hundreds of injuries. Earlier on Wednesday, authorities ordered mass evacuations as wildfires ravaged the Hollywood Hills, threatening homes and landmarks. Read

The announcement of the 97th Academy Awards nominations has been delayed from January 17 to January 19 due to devastating wildfires in Southern California.

CEO Bill Kramer expressed condolences to affected members and extended the voting deadline to January 14.

The Oscars, hosted by Conan O'Brien, remain set for March 2 at the Dolby Theatre.

The fires have led to evacuations, significant losses, including homes of celebrities, and disruption of major events like film premieres, the SAG Awards, and Critics Choice Awards. (PTI)

In what is being dubbed as the worst wildfire Los Angeles has seen in the history, more than 1,00,000 people have been evacuated and US President Joe Biden has formally signed off on a federal disaster declaration as five people are reported dead in the wildfire.

Celebrities including Jamie Lee Curtis, Mandy Moore, Maria Shriver, Paris Hilton and others were among the list of evacuees as the out of control wildfire raged across Los Angeles, consuming 12,000 acres in Pacific Palisades and leaving over 1.5 million homes and businesses without power.

“Southern California is continuing to endure some of the most historic fire conditions on record,” Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said. Meanwhile, the water is running short in battle against Los Angeles wildfires. Continue reading...

American star Paris Hilton took to her X account on Thursday, stating that she is heartbroken after witnessing their home in Malibu burn down on live TV while sitting with her family. "To the brave firefighters and first responders risking their lives to protect us—you are true heroes. I am so grateful for your courage, dedication, and the incredible sacrifices you’re making to save lives and fight this unimaginable battle. Thank you from the bottom of my heart," expresses Hilton.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau expressed his condolences for those impacted by the wildfires in California, including the tragic loss of life. "We’re no stranger to the challenge of wildfires, and California’s been there to help our Canadian firefighters out time and time again. Canadian water bombers are already in action on the front lines. We stand ready to provide more resources to our American neighbours," Trudeau said.

Vice President Kamala Harris expressed concern on her social media account Wednesday, saying, "I am thinking of those impacted by the wildfires in Southern California and praying for the first responders who are taking heroic action to help keep communities safe. "

"Please listen to local officials, evacuate immediately if you are told to do so, and take care of each other," Harris added.

Vice President Kamala Harris stated on the X platform that "Throughout the day, I have been in regular communication with state and local officials in California. President Biden and I are closely monitoring the ongoing wildfires, and our Administration is deploying all available federal resources to assist in the response efforts."

The California Governor's Office of Emergency Services reported on the X platform that strong winds and dry conditions are heightening fire risks through Friday.

Winds may reach speeds of up to 40 mph, with gusts potentially topping 60 mph in certain areas.

The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings, signalling an increased fire hazard due to a combination of high temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds, which are expected to persist across parts of Southern California until Friday.

Wildfires that are burning in and around Los Angeles have burned several celebrities’ homes and forced stars including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods, to evacuate. Moore, Cary Elwes and Paris Hilton are among the stars who said Wednesday they had lost homes in the fires.

California firefighters are battling wind-whipped fires tearing across the area, destroying homes, clogging roadways as tens of thousands fled and straining resources as the fires burned uncontained Wednesday.

The Pacific Palisades neighbourhood is a hillside area along the coast dotted with celebrity residences and memorialized by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit “Surfin’ USA.” In the frantic haste to get to safety, roadways became impassable when scores of people abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot, some toting suitcases. Read

California Governor Gavin Newsom has announced on X that more than 7,500 firefighters are actively working to contain five wildfires around Los Angeles. He urged residents of southern California to stay alert, follow local officials' instructions, and be prepared to evacuate if they are in affected areas.

In a separate post, he detailed the resources deployed in the effort, including 1,162 fire engines, 23 water tenders, 6 air tankers, 31 helicopters, and 53 bulldozers.

Los Angeles superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho has taken to X to announce that all Los Angeles Unified schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, January 9.

Elon Musk announced on Thursday that SpaceX will supply free Starlink terminals to areas in Los Angeles impacted by ongoing fires.

Over 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate as dry, hurricane-force winds hindered firefighting operations and spread the fires, which have burned parched terrain almost unimpeded since they began on Tuesday. (Reuters)

The ongoing wildfires in California have overwhelmed firefighting teams, necessitating reinforcements from six other states.

Water shortages caused some hydrants in Pacific Palisades to run dry, as the demand for firefighting water drained reservoirs, the Reuters reported.

The fires, fueled by the dry Santa Ana winds, are exacerbated by the region's prolonged drought and rising global temperatures, marking a shift in weather extremes. Despite challenges, efforts to refill city water tanks were successful by Wednesday afternoon.

As wildfires continue to engulf Southern California, millions of residents are grappling with hazardous air quality levels. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued air and dust advisories for 17 million people across the region, with smoke and ash blanketing vast areas.

In the hardest-hit regions near the fires, air quality has plummeted. East Los Angeles recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 173, deemed unhealthy for all residents—far above the threshold for good air quality, which is 50 or less.

Dr. Puneet Gupta, assistant medical director for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, warned of the severe health risks posed by wildfire smoke, which can trigger heart attacks and exacerbate asthma.

The burning of homes adds further danger, as toxic chemicals like cyanide and carbon dioxide are released into the air, intensifying public health concerns across the area.

The Sunset fire in Hollywood Hills has rapidly expanded, now covering over 50 acres, according to the latest update from Cal Fire.

Just two hours ago, the blaze was reported to be at 20 acres, indicating a swift spread.

The fire is advancing southward toward Hollywood Boulevard, with the most intense activity occurring on the southwestern side.

Helicopters are actively engaged in firefighting efforts, as per an update from the LA County Sheriffs on X.

The fire's perimeter remains secure on the eastern side, thanks to a fire road and the efforts of ground crews.

An evacuation centre has been set up at the Pan Pacific Recreational Center for those affected by the fire.

The Palisades Fire has now become the most destructive blaze in Los Angeles history. The devastation has eclipsed the Sayre Fire of 2008, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, according to data from the Wildfire Alliance, a collaboration between the Los Angeles Fire Department and MySafe:LA.

Spanning 25 square miles, the flames consumed parts of Palisades Charter High School, featured in numerous Hollywood productions, and gutted local landmarks including the public library, two grocery stores, and several boutiques in Palisades Village. Among the losses, actor Billy Crystal and his wife Janice saw their home of 45 years go up in flames.

The fire ignited chaos on Pacific Palisades' narrow, winding roads, where panicked residents attempting to flee created gridlock, delaying emergency responders. Crews had to bulldoze abandoned vehicles off the road to clear paths for firefighting operations. The once-idyllic neighborhood, immortalized by The Beach Boys in “Surfin’ USA,” now resembles a scene out of a disaster movie—charred remnants of homes, streets littered with debris, and a sky thick with smoke, as residents confront an apocalyptic aftermath.

President Joe Biden approved California Governor Gavin Newsom's request for a major disaster declaration in response to the ongoing wildfires. "I've ordered Federal assistance to supplement response efforts in areas affected by wildfires, ensuring impacted communities and survivors have immediate access to funds and resources to begin their recovery," Biden added.

The powerful Santa Ana winds, typically associated with high wildfire risks, fanned the flames and hindered firefighting operations. Unlike hurricanes that bring moisture, these dry winds accelerated the spread of the fires across parched terrain. Red flag warnings remained in effect, despite predictions of diminishing winds. The fires erupted outside the usual wildfire season, making the situation even more extreme. Scientists warned that this could be part of broader climate-related weather extremes, as rising global temperatures increase the likelihood of more intense and unpredictable wildfires in the future.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced on Wednesday via her X account "We are deploying LAPD officers to respond to Hollywood to help alleviate evacuation traffic. We are working urgently to close roads, redirect traffic and expand access for LAFD vehicles to respond to the growing fire."

All schools across the Los Angeles unified School District will be closed on Thursday, the Guardian reported.

In response to the closure of all schools across the Los Angeles Unified School District on Thursday, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho announced the activation of eight food distribution centers. These centers will offer grab-and-go meals to students, ensuring continued access to nutrition for those who rely on school meals. The distribution will begin early Thursday morning.

1. President Joe Biden cancelled his final overseas trip to Rome and the Vatican.

2. Biden chose to stay in Washington to monitor California wildfires.

3. At least three major wildfires were burning in California, affecting areas from the Pacific Coast to Pasadena.

4. One fire became the most destructive in Los Angeles’ modern history.

5. Over 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate due to the wildfires.

6. The fires have caused the deaths of at least five people.

7. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed in the Los Angeles region.

Actor Priyanka Chopra took to her social media on Wednesday to share a heartfelt message to Los Angeles fire department, saying, “A huge shoutout to the incredibly brave first responders. Thank you for your tireless efforts overnight and your continued dedication to helping families in need."

President Joe Biden has cancelled his final overseas trip, which was planned as a three-day visit to Rome and the Vatican to meet Pope Francis and Italian leaders.

The decision was made hours before his departure, allowing him to focus on managing the federal response to historic wildfires devastating California.

Biden had just returned to Washington after meeting fire officials and visiting his first great-grandchild in Los Angeles. The trip, intended as a farewell gesture to emphasize strong American alliances, was postponed as Biden prioritized addressing the crisis at home. (AP)

Good morning and welcome to our Live Blog where we cover the wildfires that have been raging across California and Los Angeles. Hundreds of thousands have been forced to flee from their houses as authorities grapple with intensifying fires across the region. Keep following this space as we bring you the latest news and updates from the ground.