Live now

California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Trump arrives in Los Angeles to survey wildfire damage amid looming rain threat

California Los Angeles Wildfires | Hughes Fire Today Live News Updates: The death toll from the Los Angeles fires climbed to 28 on Thursday, with nearly 22 individuals still missing and thousands of residents displaced, according to the AP.

LA wildfires, President Donald TrumpPresident Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk with California Gov. Gavin Newsom after arriving on Air Force One at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles. (Photo: AP)

California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: President Donald Trump arrived in Los Angeles to survey wildfire damage, sparking controversy earlier in the day by suggesting he may overhaul or abolish the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). More than 50,000 residents in Southern California have been placed under evacuation orders or warnings. Rain and mountain snow has been forecast for the Los Angeles area from Saturday to Monday, which could bring some relief but also create other risks, including mudslides, the report quoted the LA Mayor.

What is the current situation: The death toll from the Los Angeles fires climbed to 28 on Thursday, with nearly 22 individuals still missing and thousands of residents displaced, according to the AP. Firefighters are still grappling with strong winds, gusting up to 42 mph, and predictions suggest they could increase to 60 mph in the coming hours. This volatile weather, coupled with the dry conditions, remains a significant threat to the containment efforts. However, the presence of firefighting aircraft and ground crews has allowed for some containment, especially on the southern side of the fire where flames were spreading rapidly.

Story continues below this ad

How did the wildfires start? The wildfires erupted during the first week of January, fuelled by powerful offshore winds and extremely dry conditions, as per NBC. The Eaton and Palisades fires, which have been burning for more than two weeks, have claimed at least 28 lives and destroyed over 14,000 structures. These fires remain active, with containment levels reported at 68% for the Palisades Fire and 91% for the Eaton Fire. While the exact cause of the fires remains undetermined, reported NBC, experts attribute the heightened wildfire risk to California’s climate patterns, which oscillate between drought and heavy rainfall.

Live Updates
Jan 25, 2025 11:52 AM IST
Trump Mulls Shutting Down FEMA, Promises Federal Disaster Assistance to North Carolina and California

US President Donald Trump, on his first trip since reclaiming the presidency earlier this week, visited disaster-stricken areas of North Carolina and California on Friday. During his tour, Trump criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for its handling of recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, and vowed to consider dismantling or overhauling the agency.

While touring a neighborhood in North Carolina that was devastated by the September hurricane, Trump slammed FEMA's disaster relief operations, calling them a "disaster" and suggested that the agency should be abolished. "FEMA has turned out to be a disaster," Trump said, proposing that states should instead be directly allocated federal funds to manage disaster recovery on their own.

In California, which has been reeling from catastrophic wildfires, Trump also voiced concerns over the state’s handling of the situation. However, he pledged to work with Governor Gavin Newsom and offered support to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. Despite previous criticisms of California's response, Trump expressed optimism about collaborating with state and local leaders to address the crisis. "We're looking to get something completed. And the way you get it completed is to work together to govern the state, and we're going to get it completed. They're going to need a lot of federal help," Trump stated after his meeting with Newsom at the airport in Los Angeles.

This visit highlights Trump's dissatisfaction with FEMA’s operations and marks his commitment to providing substantial federal aid to the affected regions, even as he continues to push for a new approach to disaster management. (Reuters)

Jan 25, 2025 09:38 AM IST
Why California’s wildfire crisis is more than just an ecological problem

In 2019, a California state climate task force issued a dire warning: unchecked development in the state’s wildfire-prone zones was exacerbating the frequency and severity of fires, putting millions of lives at risk. Yet, just two years later, an investigation by the Lever revealed the power dynamics behind the inaction. Housing developers, backed by a year-long lobbying campaign, successfully dismantled a proposed bill designed to limit construction in high-risk areas.

This struggle is emblematic of a larger trend in California’s fire-stricken regions. Time and again, efforts to curtail development in wildfire danger zones have been thwarted by the real estate and construction industries. Safety regulations for homes in these areas, too, have often been rolled back under industry pressure, even as fires grow more frequent and devastating. (Read More)

Jan 25, 2025 09:25 AM IST
Trump considers dismantling FEMA, proposes direct state aid during North Carolina visit

In a bold move signaling potential shifts in disaster response strategy, President Donald Trump raised the idea of dismantling the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during a visit to North Carolina’s disaster zones. Trump’s remarks came as he toured areas still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, underscoring his stance on altering how federal funds are distributed for disaster recovery.

During the visit, Trump suggested that instead of funneling federal disaster relief through FEMA, the government could provide direct financial assistance to state governments. "Why have FEMA at all? We could just send the money directly to the states," he remarked, as he assessed the recovery efforts in the hurricane-impacted areas of North Carolina. The proposal is in line with Trump’s broader approach to streamlining federal operations, though it would mark a major overhaul of the current disaster relief system. (Inputs by NBC)

Jan 25, 2025 07:18 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Trump to sign executive order redirecting California's water supply

President Trump has announced plans to sign an executive order aimed at redirecting California's water supply from the north to the south, a move he claims will provide "unlimited water" to the drought-stricken region.

Trump has long advocated for this redirection, previously pushing for it in 2020 to support the state's agricultural producers, despite facing legal challenges over concerns about endangered species.

However, experts like Greg Pierce, director of the UCLA Water Resources Group, argue that simply increasing water quantity won't effectively combat wildfires, emphasizing the need for "hyperlocal infrastructure" to hold water near fires. - BBC

Jan 25, 2025 06:44 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: California fire victims focus on rebuilding, not politics

As President Trump toured the devastated areas of Los Angeles, locals Brian and Sarah returned to the charred remains of their rental home in Malibu, focusing on rebuilding their lives rather than the politics surrounding the disaster. - BBC

Jan 25, 2025 06:05 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Trump tours California wildfire damage without Newsom

President Trump and the First Lady visited the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, meeting with locals and first responders affected by the wildfires. Notably absent was California Governor Gavin Newsom, who was initially expected to join the tour but instead stayed behind at the airfield.

(with inputs from BBC)

Jan 25, 2025 05:52 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Trump and Newsom get aerial tour to survey California fire damage

US President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom took an aerial tour of the devastating wildfire damage around Los Angeles, witnessing entire neighborhoods reduced to ashes and scorched mountaintops. After Marine One landed in Pacific Palisades, the president, First Lady, and Governor Newsom prepared to assess the destruction on the ground, gaining a deeper understanding of the disaster's impact. (BBC)

Jan 25, 2025 05:41 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: California wildfires now estimated to have caused over $250 billion in damage

The economic toll of the raging wildfires in Southern California has skyrocketed to over $250 billion, making it one of the costliest natural disasters in US history, with neighborhoods in Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu being severely affected. (BBC)

Jan 25, 2025 05:37 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Trump's press secretary expresses surprise at Newsom's welcome

Karoline Leavitt, Trump's Press Secretary, seemed taken aback when informed that California Governor Gavin Newsom would be greeting the President in Los Angeles, despite their long-standing feud over water management and Trump's criticism of Newsom's handling of the wildfires. (BBC)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom waits for President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump to step off Air Force One upon their arrival at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, Friday, Jan. 24, 2025. (AP)

Jan 25, 2025 05:20 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Trump meets Newsom in LA, pledges support for fire relief efforts

President Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom put aside their differences for a brief moment as they met at the Los Angeles airport, shaking hands and pledging to work together to support fire relief efforts.

Trump described the fire damage as "like you got hit by a bomb" and expressed his appreciation for Newsom's presence, while the governor thanked the president for visiting the state and acknowledged the need for federal support, as reported by BBC.

Jan 25, 2025 04:52 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Trump criticizes Los Angeles fire response, ahead of visit to affected areas

President Trump is set to visit Los Angeles to survey the damage from the devastating wildfires that have ravaged the county, killing at least 28 people and burning over 16,000 structures. The visit comes after Trump criticized California's fire response, threatening to withhold federal aid unless the state changes its water policy.

"We're going to take care of Los Angeles," Trump said, despite California officials insisting that the state's water management policies did not contribute to the fires. The trip is part of a broader national disaster recovery tour, which includes a stop in North Carolina to inspect damage from Hurricane Helene, as reported by BBC.

Jan 25, 2025 04:31 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Southern California's long wait for rain ends, but risks linger

After a record-breaking dry spell, Southern California is expected to receive its first significant rainfall of the winter this weekend, bringing relief to the parched region. However, concerns remain about the potential for debris flows in burn scar areas, with the Palisades and Eaton burn scars being of particular concern, according to forecasters. (LA Times)

Jan 25, 2025 12:43 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Trump proposes ending FEMA during disaster zone visits

President Donald Trump, while visiting North Carolina, suggested “getting rid of” FEMA and sending disaster funds directly to states, reported AP. Calling FEMA “very bureaucratic” and “very slow,” Trump appointed Michael Whatley, chair of the Republican National Committee, to oversee recovery efforts in the state.

In California, Trump linked federal disaster aid to changes in the state’s water policies, stating, “I don’t think we should give California anything until they let the water run down.” FEMA has distributed $319 million in aid to North Carolina. Scientists have linked disasters like Hurricane Helene and California’s wildfires to climate change, which Trump has dismissed.

Jan 24, 2025 10:11 PM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Trump's two demands from California are voter ID laws and increased water flow

President Donald Trump said he wanted to secure two things from a visit to California later in the day: voter identification laws and changes to water policy in the wake of massive wildfires. "I just want voter ID to start, and I want the water to be released, and they're going to get a lot of help from the US," Trump said during a visit to North Carolina.

On Wednesday Trump threatened to withhold aid and repeated a false claim that California Governor Gavin Newsom and other officials had refused to provide water from the northern part of the state to fight the fires.

(Reuters)

Jan 24, 2025 09:35 PM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Much-needed rain brings flood, mudslide risks to Southern California

Southern California is set to receive rain Saturday after nine dry months, with up to 2 inches expected in some areas, according to the National Weather Service. While steady rain could aid firefighting, heavy downpours may trigger flash floods and mudslides over burn scars, reported USA Today. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an order to hasten debris cleanup and protect waterways, emphasizing efforts to prevent further damage to fire-hit areas and stop toxic runoff.

Jan 24, 2025 08:39 PM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Small blazes, here and there

A series of smaller fires have menaced the area including the Sepulveda Fire, which began early Thursday morning and burned along the 405 freeway near the Getty Center museum, according to Reuters.

A brush fire erupted late afternoon in the wealthy enclave of La Jolla near the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine. Moreover, further south, near the US-Mexico border, another blaze was quickly spreading through the Otay Mountain Wilderness, AP reported. Read More

Jan 24, 2025 07:14 PM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Progress made on huge fire north of Los Angeles while new fires erupt in Southern California

Evacuation orders were lifted Thursday for tens of thousands as firefighters with air support slowed the spread of a huge wildfire churning through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles, but new blazes erupted in San Diego County, briefly triggering more evacuations.

Southern California is under a red flag warning for critical fire risk through Friday. The area has been facing constant challenges in controlling the fires, as dangerous winds gained strength again Thursday.

The Hughes Fire broke out late Wednesday morning and in less than a day charred nearly 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) of trees and brush near Castaic Lake, a popular recreation area about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that are burning for a third week.

Crews made significant progress by late afternoon on the Hughes Fire, with more than one-third of it contained. (AP)

Jan 24, 2025 06:32 PM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Hughes Fire Ravages Los Angeles, 50,000 Evacuate, 28 Dead

California's Hughes Fire wreaks havoc in Los Angeles County, with over 50,000 residents evacuated, 28 lives lost, and firefighters battling flames across 45 square miles.

Jan 24, 2025 05:42 PM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Malibu’s rugged coastline- the wildfire capital of North America

Malibu’s rugged coastline, where the Santa Monica Mountains meet the sea, is a place of breathtaking beauty but also has a history of devastating fires. Its chaparral-covered slopes burn, on average, every two-and-a-half years, often turning into ferocious firestorms that consume homes and scar the land, making it  ‘the wildfire capital of North America’. And yet, Malibu’s allure has only intensified over the decades, fuelled by speculative development, federal disaster relief, and the unshakable desire for an ocean view.

Between 1990 and 2020, the number of homes in California’s fire-prone areas grew by 40 per cent, far outpacing the 23 per cent growth in less flammable regions like urban downtowns. Malibu epitomises this trend. The seeds of its development were sown in the 1920s, when developers began carving roads into the rugged canyons south of Rancho Malibu, spurred on by Los Angeles’s desire for expansion.

A promotional booklet from the era declared the Santa Monicas ripe for “the march of adventuring Caucasians,” framing the occupation of the mountains as a kind of manifest destiny. Read More

Jan 24, 2025 04:42 PM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Vegetation, winds, climate change put California at risk of wildfires

Several factors put California at risk of wildfires. One of the most significant is its vegetation. Recent years have seen increased rainfall in the winter and spring, spurring rapid plant growth. But as the seasons turn dry, that lush greenery becomes fuel. Unlike the towering trees that burn in forest fires, California’s wildfires are often driven by smaller, highly combustible materials like leaves and twigs, which dry out quickly and ignite easily.

Compounding the problem is that houses in most areas, even affluent ones, were built a very long time ago, says Syphard. “People didn’t know how dangerous it was to build in areas like the Pacific Palisades until after they had already started doing so.”

Climate change too is significantly contributing to the severity and frequency of wildfires in California. Read More

Jan 24, 2025 04:22 PM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Trump targets California water policy as he prepares to tour LA fire damage

As President Donald Trump prepares to tour wildfire damage in California, he's zeroing in on one of his frequent targets for criticism: State water policy.

Since the fires broke out on January 7, Trump has used social media and interviews to accuse the state of sending too much water to the Pacific Ocean instead of south toward Los Angeles and highlighted how some hydrants ran dry in the early hours of the firefight in Pacific Palisades.

In the first hours of his second term, Trump called on federal officials to draft plans to route more water to the crop-rich Central Valley and densely populated cities in the southern part of the state. Two days later he threatened to withhold federal disaster aid unless California leaders change the state’s approach on water. (AP)

Jan 24, 2025 03:56 PM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Why California’s wildfire crisis is more than just an ecological problem

In 2019, a California state climate task force issued a dire warning: unchecked development in the state’s wildfire-prone zones was exacerbating the frequency and severity of fires, putting millions of lives at risk. Yet, just two years later, an investigation by the Lever revealed the power dynamics behind the inaction. Housing developers, backed by a year-long lobbying campaign, successfully dismantled a proposed bill designed to limit construction in high-risk areas.

This struggle is emblematic of a larger trend in California’s fire-stricken regions. Time and again, efforts to curtail development in wildfire danger zones have been thwarted by the real estate and construction industries. Safety regulations for homes in these areas, too, have often been rolled back under industry pressure, even as fires grow more frequent and devastating.

The opulent neighbourhoods of Pacific Palisades and Malibu, built into scenic yet perilous canyons and foothills, stand as stark examples. Long labelled as fire-prone, these areas have now paid the price for decades of neglect: scores of homes reduced to ashes, their ruins a grim testament to the human and environmental cost of unchecked urban expansion. Read More

Jan 24, 2025 03:23 PM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Rain, snow forecast issued amid new blazes in LA area; Trump to visit wildfire-ravaged region today

Two new blazes ripped through north of Los Angeles, including San Diego County, on Thursday, triggering more evacuations in the area, news agency AP reported.

This comes after the evacuation orders were lifted as firefighters slowed down the spread of a huge wildfire churning through the mountains in the region with air support, the report mentioned.

While rain and mountain snow has been forecast for LA area between Saturday and Monday, which could bring some respite from the devastating event, it’s impact will likely be minimal, the National Weather Service has warned.

The rain could cause mudslides, the report quoted Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass as saying that the city was taking “aggressive action” by installing barriers, removing fire debris and diverting stormwater. Read More

Jan 24, 2025 01:48 PM IST
In Pictures | Over 50,000 people asked to evacuate as Hughes fire breaks out; firefighters drop water from air

The Hughes Fire, about 50 miles (80 km) north of Los Angeles, broke out early Wednesday, news agency Reuters reported.

The Hughes Fire quickly burned some 10,176 acres (41 square km), but that figure held steady throughout the day as 4,000 firefighters dropped water and retardant from the air and used hand tools and hoses on the ground.

The Hughes Fire had led to evacuation orders for 31,000 residents and evacuation warnings for a further 16,000 people as it sent plumes of smoke over hilly terrain in the Castaic Lake area near Santa Clarita. (Reuters)

A helicopter drops water as the Hughes Fire burns in Castaic Lake (Reuters Photo)

The Hughes Fire burns near Castaic Lake (Photo: Reuters)

Firefighters work as the Hughes Fire burns in Castaic Lake (Photo: Reuters)

Jan 24, 2025 11:12 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Trump to visit disaster zones in North Carolina and California on first trip of second term

President Donald Trump is heading to hurricane-battered western North Carolina and wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles on Friday, using the first trip of his second administration to tour areas, news agency AP reported.

The Republican president earlier criticized former President Joe Biden for his administration's response in North Carolina, and he's showered disdain on California leaders for water policies that he falsely claimed worsened the recent blazes, AP report stated.

The White House asked California congressional members, including Democrats, to hold a roundtable at an airplane hanger in Santa Monica during Trump’s visit. (AP)

Jan 24, 2025 10:20 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Red flag warning for critical fire risk issued in Southern California

Southern California is under a red flag warning for critical fire risk through Friday, news agency AP reported.

The area has been facing constant challenges in controlling the fires, as dangerous winds gained strength again Thursday. (AP)

Jan 24, 2025 09:39 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: California Governor signs a $2.5 billion relief package for fire-devastated region

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $2.5 billion relief package for the fire-devastated region.

California's bipartisan package of state relief was announced as US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit the state on Friday to survey the fire damage, news agency Reuters reported.

The state aid will pay for ongoing operations, disaster recovery, debris removal and other works. Billions more dollars of federal aid will be needed for a disaster that private forecaster AccuWeather has estimated could cost more than $250 billion damage and economic losses, the report highlighted.

Jan 24, 2025 08:56 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Rain, mountain snow forecast for LA area from tomorrow

Rain and mountain snow has been forecast for the Los Angeles area from Saturday to Monday, which could bring some relief but also create other risks, news agency Reuters reported.

"Impacts will likely be minimal, except for the small but non-zero threat of a thunderstorm moving over a burn area," the National Weather Service warned.

The rain could cause mudslides, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned during a news conference on Wednesday, saying the city was taking "aggressive action" by installing barriers, removing fire debris and diverting stormwater. (Reuters)

Jan 24, 2025 08:55 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Firefighters halt advance of latest Los Angeles wildfire

Firefighters stopped the expansion of a new wildfire north of Los Angeles on Thursday after it spread rapidly, as California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $2.5 billion relief package for the fire-devastated region, news agency Reuters reported.

The Hughes Fire, about 50 miles (80 km) north of Los Angeles, broke out on Wednesday as emergency services continued to battle two fires on the city's eastern and western flanks that have burned for more than two weeks. The Hughes Fire quickly burned some 10,176 acres (41 square km), but that figure held steady throughout the day as 4,000 firefighters dropped water and retardant from the air and used hand tools and hoses on the ground.

The Hughes Fire had led to evacuation orders for 31,000 residents and evacuation warnings for a further 16,000 people as it sent plumes of smoke over hilly terrain in the Castaic Lake area near Santa Clarita. (Reuters)

Jan 24, 2025 07:42 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Riverside county firefighters battle two brush fires amid red flag warning

Fire crews in Riverside County responded to two new brush fires on Thursday afternoon, as the region faced another day of dry and dangerous fire weather, with wind gusts of up to 40 mph and humidity rates of 5% or lower, according to the National Weather Service.

Jan 24, 2025 06:25 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: LAPD confirms all missing persons in pacific Palisades fire accounted for

The Los Angeles Police Department announced a major breakthrough in the search for victims of the January 7 firestorms, confirming that all individuals reported missing in the Pacific Palisades area have been accounted for, although the search continues in other affected areas, including Malibu and Altadena. (LA Times)

Jan 24, 2025 04:50 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Hughes fire prompts smoke advisory for Western LA county

A smoke advisory remains in effect for areas of western and northwestern Los Angeles County until at least 10 p.m. Thursday, as crews work to contain the Hughes fire near Castaic. The advisory warns of heavy smoke impacting areas near the fire, including Santa Clarita, the I-5 corridor near Castaic Lake, and the San Gabriel Mountains.

Smoke could also affect the western LA County coast, “primarily west of Malibu,” according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Jan 24, 2025 04:35 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Brush fire erupts along 405 freeway in Seal Beach, causing traffic chaos

A brush fire broke out along the northbound lanes of the 405 Freeway in Seal Beach on Thursday, prompting lane closures and traffic congestion, according to the California Highway Patrol. (Los Angeles Times)

Jan 24, 2025 02:06 AM IST
California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: What are the containment levels?

  • Palisades Fire: 23,448 acres burned, 70% containment
  • Eaton Fire: 14,021 acres burned, 95% containment
  • Hughes Fire: 10,176 acres burned, 14% containment

    • (Reports as per USA Today)

    Jan 24, 2025 01:57 AM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Red flag warnings extended in Los Angeles area

    The National Weather Service has extended red flag warnings for Los Angeles and Ventura counties until at least Friday due to "dangerous fire weather conditions," reported USA Today. With extremely dry vegetation and strong Santa Ana winds of 20 to 30 mph, gusting up to 50 mph in higher elevations, forecasters warn of a heightened risk of extreme fire behavior and rapid spread if new fires ignite.

    Jan 24, 2025 01:21 AM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Governor Newsom announces mortgage relief for fire victims

    California banks and credit unions are stepping up to provide mortgage relief for victims of the recent Los Angeles firestorms, Governor Gavin Newsom announced, as per reports from LA Times. Nearly 270 state-chartered financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, are participating in the effort to help residents whose homes were damaged or destroyed. This initiative follows a move by five major banks last week to offer similar relief measures to those affected by the devastating fires.

    Jan 24, 2025 12:07 AM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Rising rents as fire survivors struggle to find housing in LA

    Rents are climbing as refugees from the fires flood into LA’s already strained housing market, reported LA Times.

    Jan 23, 2025 10:33 PM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: California launches revamped website for LA County fire recovery

    California has unveiled an updated fire relief website to support Los Angeles County fire survivors, reported LA Times. The site provides a centralized hub for accessing vital services, including FEMA disaster relief applications, insurance claims, document replacement, and safe return guidance. It also offers resources for food, shelter, expense reimbursements, and real-time updates on fire maps, air quality, and road closures.

    Jan 23, 2025 07:06 PM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: LA fire insured losses estimated at $28 billion, KCC says

    Catastrophe risk modeling firm KCC is estimating insured losses of about $28 billion from the Los Angeles wildfires, making them the costliest wildfires in US history.

    Since the fires broke out on Jan. 7, they have burned an area nearly the size of Washington, DC, killed 28 people and damaged or destroyed nearly 16,000 structures, according to California's fire department.

    US as well as European insurers are expected to face catastrophe-related claims worth billions of dollars from the disaster.

    The estimated losses include damage from the fires, as well as smoke, time-element losses for residents in evacuation zones whose homes were not damaged by the fire, guaranteed replacement cost coverage and demand surge, KCC said in its report.

    These losses should be covered by typical insurance policies, it added.

    Insurers have been hit hard by rising catastrophe claims from several wildfires and other natural disasters over the past couple of years. (Reuters)

    Jan 23, 2025 05:48 PM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Los Angeles artists, collectors reel from wildfires

    As the Los Angeles area begins the formidable task of rebuilding after the most destructive wildfires in its history, the city's artists and art collectors are mourning what could amount to billions of dollars in irreplaceable art that went up in flames.

    The wildfires have altogether destroyed more than 13,000 structures, with many among those located in the affluent Palisades neighborhood -- home to many priceless art collections -- and the town of Altadena, which was home to a flourishing artist community.

    Some of those art collectors likely lost many of their acquisitions as the fires burned out of control for weeks, while local artists have watched as their studios and homes burned, destroying their work and jeopardizing their livelihoods.

    "There's part of me that's numb or in shock," said Brad Eberhard, an artist who ran Altadena's Alto Beta gallery, which also housed his own studio. Both burned down in the Eaton Fire. "Every half hour I remember another thing gone."

    Alto Beta, a 550-square-foot (51-sq-meter) space in an Altadena shopping center, hosted exhibits focused on artists who had not had a showing in Los Angeles in the past three years.

    Eberhard lost between 50 and 70 of his own sculptures as well as about two dozen pieces of art from his friends and colleagues.

    When he returned to visit the gallery, "all I recognized was an aluminum door frame," he said. (Reuters)

    Jan 23, 2025 04:54 PM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Evacuation warning lifted for brush fire in Sepulveda Pass

    The Los Angeles Fire Department has lifted the evacuation warning for the Sepulveda Pass brush fire. The warning had been issued for residents south of Casiano Road, north of Moraga Drive, east of Sepulveda Boulevard, and west of Chalon Road.

    Jan 23, 2025 04:15 PM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Containment grows for Eaton and Palisades fires

    Firefighters made progress in growing containment lines for the Eaton and Palisades Fires amidst an active red flag warning.

    As of Wednesday night, the Eaton Fire had burned 14,021 acres with 95% containment. The Palisades Fire burned 23,448 acres and was at 70% containment, according to Cal Fire, as reported by NBC.

    Evacuation warnings were lifted for certain areas in the Palisades, allowing some residents to return to their homes.

    Jan 23, 2025 04:00 PM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Hughes fire grows to 10,176 acres, containment reaches 14%, says US Forest Service

    The Hughes fire has expanded to 10,176 acres, but firefighters are making progress, with containment of fire increasing to 14 per cent from zero, US Forest Service officials said.

    Jan 23, 2025 03:36 PM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Firefighters battle to maintain the upper hand on a huge fire north of Los Angeles

    Firefighters fought to maintain the upper hand on a huge and rapidly moving wildfire that swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles and resulted in more than 50,000 people being put under evacuation orders or warnings.

    The Hughes Fire broke out late Wednesday morning and in less than a day had charred nearly 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) of trees and brush near Lake Castaic, a popular recreation area about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that are burning for a third week.

    Though the region was under a red flag warning for critical fire risk, winds were not as fast as they had been when those fires broke out, allowing for firefighting aircraft to dump tens of thousands of gallons of fire retardant on the latest blaze. By Wednesday night, about 14% of the Hughes Fire had been contained.

    “The situation that we're in today is very different from the situation we were in 16 days ago,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Wednesday evening.

    Red flag warnings were extended through 10 a.m. Friday in LA and Ventura counties. Officials remained concerned that the Palisades and Eaton fires could break their containment lines as firefighters continue watching for hot spots. (PTI)

    Jan 23, 2025 12:55 PM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates

    Trump, who criticized the response to the wildfires during his inaugural address, has said he will travel to Los Angeles on Friday.

    Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday said the devastation left by the blazes underscores the need for partnership between the state and federal governments.

    “I look forward to President Trump’s visit to Los Angeles and his mobilization of the full weight of the federal government to help our fellow Americans recover and rebuild,” Newsom said in a statement.

    Jan 23, 2025 12:21 PM IST
    ‘We are not out of the woods yet’: Thousands under evacuation in Southern California as officials warn of fire threat

    The fire threat remains critical in Southern California, where thousands of residents were under evacuation orders Wednesday as fire crews battled the out-of-control Hughes Fire near Castaic, a suburb in the foothills and mountains of northern Los Angeles County.

    The fire – impacting both Los Angeles and Ventura counties – had burned more than 10,000 acres and is 14% contained as of Wednesday night, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. No structures have been reported damaged or destroyed, Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said at a Wednesday evening news conference.

    The unincorporated community of Castaic is about 15 miles northwest of the city of Santa Clarita and borders the Angeles National Forest. Approximately 31,000 residents in the area are under evacuation orders, while 23,000 are under evacuation warnings, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

    “We have over 4,000 firefighting personnel assigned to the incident,” Marrone said, noting the “robust” ground and air response to the fire. “The situation remains dynamic and the fire remains a difficult fire to contain, although we are getting the upper hand,” Marrone added. (Source: CNN)

    Jan 23, 2025 12:15 PM IST
    Firefighters battle to maintain the upper hand on a huge fire north of Los Angeles

    Firefighters fought to maintain the upper hand on a huge and rapidly moving wildfire that swept through rugged mountains north of Los Angeles and resulted in more than 50,000 people being put under evacuation orders or warnings.The Hughes Fire broke out late Wednesday morning and in less than a day had charred nearly 16 square miles (41 square kilometers) of trees and brush near Lake Castaic, a popular recreation area about 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires that are burning for a third week. (AP)

    Jan 23, 2025 11:33 AM IST
    Hughes fire scorches over 9,000 acres near Castaic; as thousands flee, 5 Freeway reopens

    LA County has issued evacuation orders for areas in and around Castaic Lake. This zone roughly encompasses the area east of Lake Piru and the Ventura County border, west of Bouquet Canyon Road, south of Sandberg and north of Castaic Junction near Santa Clarita.

    Ventura County issued an evacuation order for an area east of Lake Piru and west of Interstate 5. (Source: LA Times)

    Jan 23, 2025 11:20 AM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates

    About 31,000 people were under mandatory evacuation orders with more facing evacuation warnings, Los Angeles county sheriff Robert Luna told a press conference.

    At least three schools were evacuated as a precaution, the California highway patrol said.

    The Angeles National Forest said its entire 700,000-acre park in the San Gabriel Mountains was closed to visitors. More than 4,000 firefighters were working on the Hughes fire, Los Angeles county fire chief Anthony Marrone said.

    The fire was raging north of a large county jail complex, and as of Wednesday afternoon, the LA sheriff’s department said the agency was moving 476 incarcerated people from the Pitchess detention center to the North County correctional facility next door.

    The ACLU of southern California urged the county to clear people out of the jail complex, which is located within a mandatory evacuation zone and is home to four facilities. The jails house more than 4,700 people, including 1,200 people with diagnosed mental health issues, according to the latest available data from last year. (Source: Guardian)

    Jan 23, 2025 11:04 AM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates

    The Hughes fire has grown to more than 9,400 acres, officials said late Wednesday afternoon.

    More than 4,000 firefighters are responding to the fire, which was 0% contained as of 5 p.m, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said. (Source: AP)

    Jan 23, 2025 10:47 AM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates

    California Republicans are pushing back against suggestions by President Donald Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans that federal disaster aid for victims of wildfires that ravaged Southern California should come with strings attached, possibly jeopardizing the president’s policy agenda in a deeply divided Congress at the outset of his second term.

    With Trump planning to visit the fire-ravaged state this week, resistance from even a few House members to his efforts to put conditions on disaster aid could further complicate an already fraught relationship between reliably liberal California and the second Trump administration.

    Several Republicans who narrowly won California House seats in November have expressed dismay that the state relief could be hitched to demands in exchange for helping the thousands of Californians in their districts still reeling from this month’s disaster. (Source: AP)

    Jan 23, 2025 10:39 AM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates

    The wildfires that have torn through Pacific Palisades and other parts of Los Angeles this month have damaged or destroyed about $350 million in public infrastructure, including streetlights, recreation centers and a library that burned down, according to a city report.

    The initial cost estimate, which examined damage from the first four days of the fires, was presented Wednesday to the City Council as part of a larger discussion on the impact of the emergency on the city budget. (Source: LA Times)

    Jan 23, 2025 10:36 AM IST
    Trump says he may withhold federal aid for Los Angeles if California doesn't change water policies

    President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened to withhold federal disaster aid for wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles unless California leaders change the state's approach on its management of water.

    In a Fox News interview, Trump repeated false claims that the state's fish conservation efforts in the northern part of the state are responsible for fire hydrants running dry in urban areas. He says the blame for Los Angeles' struggles to tame some of the deadly fires lies with Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, a political foe who has called for partnership and mutual respect as the state fights the blazes.

    “I don't think we should give California anything until they let the water run down,” Trump said.

    The president levelled the threat as he prepares for the first presidential trip of his second term. On Friday, he will visit Southern California in addition to western North Carolina, which is recovering after Hurricane Helene pummelled the area more than three months ago. (Source: AP)

    Jan 23, 2025 10:34 AM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates

    Eaton fire

  • Containment: The fire was 95% contained as of 7 p.m. Wednesday. It has burned more than 14,000 acres.
  • Damage: Officials have so far tallied 9,418 structures destroyed and 1,073 damaged.
  • Lives lost: Officials have confirmed 17 are dead from the Eaton fire.
  • Evacuations: Evacuation orders have been lifted for some portions of south Altadena. And “soft closures” were in place in other areas within the mandatory evacuation area including south of East Altadena Drive, north of West Harriet Street and East Mendocino Street, west of North Allen Street and east of Lincoln Avenue. Details here from the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.

    • (Source: Los Angeles Times)

    Jan 23, 2025 10:25 AM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates
    Palisades fire
  • Containment: The fire was 70% contained as of Wednesday evening. It has burned more than 23,400 acres.
  • Damage: Officials have confirmed, so far, 6,662 structures have been destroyed and 890 damaged.
  • Lives lost: Officials have confirmed that 11 people are dead from the Palisades fire.
  • Evacuations: Some mandatory evacuation zones have been reopened to residents. Details here. Residents must bring a valid photo ID that shows their name, photo and physical address, such as a driver’s license, according to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. But most of Pacific Palisades and parts of communities including Malibu, Brentwood and Topanga remained under evacuation orders Tuesday.

    • ((Source: Los Angeles Times)

    Jan 23, 2025 10:22 AM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Fresh wildfire erupts near Los Angeles, forcing over 50,000 to evacuate
    Hughes fire
  • Evacuations: L.A. County has issued evacuation orders for areas around Castaic Lake. This zone roughly encompasses the area east of Lake Piru and the Ventura County border, west of Bouquet Canyon Road, south of Sandberg and north of Castaic Junction.
    Ventura County issued an evacuation order for an area east of Lake Piru and west of Interstate 5.
    Most updated evacuation instructions can be found here and here.
  • Road Closures included Ridge Route Road at Lake Hughes Road, Ridge Route Road at Templin Highway, Lake Hughes Road at Pine Canyon Road, Dry Gulch Road at San Francisquito Canyon Motorway; the Parker Road and Lake Hughes Road off-ramps were closed on the northbound 5 Freeway.
    Interstate 5 was closed in both directions along its Grapevine section earlier in the day, but the roadway reopened Wednesday evening. (Source: Los Angeles Times)
    • Jan 23, 2025 10:16 AM IST
    California Los Angeles Wildfires LIVE Updates: Fresh wildfire erupts near Los Angeles, forcing over 50,000 to evacuate

    More than 50,000 residents in Southern California have been placed under evacuation orders or warnings as a massive and fast-moving wildfire broke out in the rugged mountains north of Los Angeles. The Hughes Fire, which erupted on Wednesday morning, rapidly spread through parched vegetation, sending dark plumes of smoke over the region as strong winds fueled its expansion.

    Rapid spread near Lake Castaic

    The fire ignited near Lake Castaic, a popular recreational area approximately 40 miles (64 kilometers) from the areas already devastated by the Eaton and Palisades fires. Within hours, the Hughes Fire had scorched over 15 square miles (39 square kilometers) of forest and brush, prompting the evacuation of more than 31,000 people. An additional 23,000 residents remain under evacuation warnings, according to LA County Sheriff Robert Luna. (Read More)

    Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

    © IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
    Latest Comment
    Post Comment
    Read Comments