CA - Pacific Palisades - 30,000 People Ordered to Evacuate From L.A. Wildfires #2

[JennieM]

2h ago

Firefighters make progress in containing Los Angeles wildfires​

Firefighters have reported significant gains in containing two massive wildfires burning around Los Angeles.

Firefighters are also tackling smaller blazes set by arsonists in recent days.

This came as the last wave of windy, fire-prone weather moved through southern California.

With winds picking up again, much of the nation’s second-most populous metropolitan region was still on alert for new outbreaks and flareups.

In the mountains, gusts reached up to 50mph, but many areas saw relatively light winds late in the morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Better conditions expected in the coming days should help fire crews make even more headway and allow residents to return to their neighborhoods to begin rebuilding.

Firefighters hose down the rubble in Altadena. Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images

California fires live: Los Angeles fire crews make progress against deadly wildfires

Los Angeles remains on alert for high winds and fire-prone weather but crews report significant gains in containing Eaton and Palisades fires

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

2h ago
Here’s the latest on the fires’ containment:

• As of Wednesday afternoon, the Eaton fire was 45% contained. Firefighters continue to reinforce containment lines around the blaze, which is expected to remain within its 14,117-acre boundary. A red flag warning will remain in effect through 6pm.
• The Palisades fire was 19% contained and has so far burned 23,713 acres.
• The Auto fire was 50% contained and forward progress remains stopped at 61 acres, while the Hurst fire was 97% contained.

California fires live: Los Angeles fire crews make progress against deadly wildfires

Los Angeles remains on alert for high winds and fire-prone weather but crews report significant gains in containing Eaton and Palisades fires

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

3h ago

Officials form taskforce to combat crimes related to LA wildfires​

The taskforce is composed of federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and local prosecutors, and will focus on arson, looting, fraud, illegal drone activity and related offenses, according to the United States attorney for the central district of California.

The United States attorney Martin Estrada said:

We will not permit victims to be re-victimized. Our community has suffered tremendously, and we are here to support them. The Joint Fire Crimes Task Force is committed to addressing crimes coming out of the fires, including any looting, arson, illegal drone flights and fraud. As the rebuilding process begins and donations and relief funds come in, we must ensure that those seeking to take advantage through criminal activity are held fully accountable.

California fires live: Los Angeles fire crews make progress against deadly wildfires

Los Angeles remains on alert for high winds and fire-prone weather but crews report significant gains in containing Eaton and Palisades fires

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

6h ago
Mayor Bass said she wished she could give a timeline regarding when people will have a roof over their heads again, but that she cannot.

California fires live: Los Angeles fire crews make progress against deadly wildfires

Los Angeles remains on alert for high winds and fire-prone weather but crews report significant gains in containing Eaton and Palisades fires

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

24 min ago

Residents can get free N95 masks at LA public libraries as 17 million under windblown dust and ash advisory​

From CNN's Emma Tucker

As health officials urge people in areas impacted by ash from the wildfires to wear proper respiratory masks to help protect against potential health problems, county officials are offering them for free at public libraries.

N-95 masks are available at all Los Angeles Public Library locations, and residents can also go to the county’s local assistance and disaster recovery centers for masks, the county’s health department told CNN.

“These masks are specifically designed to reduce the exposure to harmful fine particles found in the ash and smoke, which can penetrate deep into your lungs and cause serious health problems.
Dr. Anish Mahajan, chief deputy director for Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Health

Los Angeles County also has masks available at seven of its library locations.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a Windblown Dust and Ash advisory due to the high winds expected, effective until 7 p.m. Wednesday.

The advisory impacts most of the 17 million residents, the agency told CNN, and ash remains “a higher concern at the moment.”

This post has been updated with additional information.

CNN’s Amanda Musa contributed to this report.

https://edition.cnn.com/weather/live-news/fire-los-angeles-california-palisades-ventura-eaton-01-15-25-hnk/index.html

 

[JennieM]

1m ago
Some of the firefighters who are battling the ongoing blazes in Los Angelesare returning to their base camps “bruised and battered,” Anthony Marrone, the county’s fire chief told reporters during a Wednesday afternoon press conference.

Marrone’s statement was in response to a reporter’s question about the physical state of the more than 5,000 people working to contain and extinguish the Palisades and Eaton fires.

While the chief emphasized the steadfastness of the crew he also noted that “a lot of them are hurting inside.”

California fires live: Los Angeles fire crews make progress against deadly wildfires

Los Angeles remains on alert for high winds and fire-prone weather but crews report significant gains in containing Eaton and Palisades fires

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

2 hr 10 min ago

The wildfires have not grown in recent days, but smoldering hot spots remain a key issue​

From CNN's Emma Tucker and Stephanie Elam
While the wildfires in Los Angeles County have not grown in the last few days, the real issue is smoldering hot spots that can burn down into the root systems of trees and bushes where fire can linger.

Firefighting is in a critical period as dangerous winds fueling an extreme fire threat are expected to last until roughly mid-afternoon in parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

If the wind picks back up, it could carry an ember and potentially spark another fire.

Residents who evacuated are eager to return, but officials cautioned on Wednesday that significant safety and infrastructure issues remain, along with toxic ash.

https://edition.cnn.com/weather/live-news/fire-los-angeles-california-palisades-ventura-eaton-01-15-25-hnk/index.html

 

[JennieM]

‘It’s tedious. It’s dirty. It’s not fun:’ Searching for answers in the wildfire wreckage​

Amid speculation, rumors and media reports regarding how the fires may have begun, the official determination for each blaze is “under investigation.”

Fire experts and arson investigators interviewed by CNN said it could take weeks, months or even longer before they know precisely how the fires ignited.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/15/us/start-of-la-fires-investigation-invs/index.html

 

[JennieM]

5 hr 44 min ago

LAFD Chief on fire response: “We surged where we could surge”​

From CNN's Lauren Mascarenhas
The Los Angeles Fire Department pre-deployed the necessary resources, followed protocol and surged staff where it could to respond to the wildfires, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said Wednesday during a news conference.

Her response comes after the Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday, the fire department failed to pre-position about 1,000 available firefighters and dozens of fire engines on January 7 as winds picked up, ahead of the Palisades Fire. The report, citing interviews with current and former LAFD officials and internal LAFD records, claimed the LAFD staffed only five of more than 40 water-carrying engines that were available and did not order firefighters to remain on duty for a second shift, which would have doubled the number of staff on hand, before the fire spun out of control.

Crowley said Wednesday that the department “pre-deployed the resources on top of what we normally would do. They went to work. We immediately, then utilized all available on duty, special duty people that aren’t normally in the field. They surged.”

“We have the system that’s built. We followed the system. We surged where we could surge,” she added.

When asked whether more could have been done to save neighborhoods and lives, Crowley said, “I would think, fundamentally, as we surged exactly how we did, our firefighters pushed in, they did everything that they could, and it’s a ‘what-if.’”

https://edition.cnn.com/weather/live-news/fire-los-angeles-california-palisades-ventura-eaton-01-15-25-hnk/index.html

 

[JennieM]

5 hr 4 min ago

“The buck always stops with me,” LA mayor says​

From CNN's Chris Boyette

L.A. Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a press conference addressing the ongoing fires and the new dangerous wind threats for the next few days, in downtown Los Angeles, on Tuesday.
Katie McTiernan/Anadolu/Getty Images

Mayor Karen Bass stood by the Los Angeles Fire Department’s decisions regarding prepositioning resources ahead of the deadly fires that destroyed thousands of structures across acres of the city.

“The buck always stops with me,” Bass told reporters who asked about LA Times reporting that LAFD commanders declined to assign 1,000 available firefighters and other resources for emergency deployment as fire warnings picked up in the Pacific Palisades

https://edition.cnn.com/weather/live-news/fire-los-angeles-california-palisades-ventura-eaton-01-15-25-hnk/index.html

 

[bestill]

Not sure if this has been shared.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1879661355365810265

 

[LadyL]

The absolute champions risking their lives to save large animals and livestock from the fires. Horses, sheep, goats, emus, donkeys, ducks, chickens, and an enormous pig named Fancypants.

The ‘convoy of incredible people’ saving animals from California’s infernal fires

As fires licked the Los Angeles landscape, a network of volunteers plunged into action to rescue pets and livestock

www.theguardian.com

Best Friends Animal Society is helping move animals out of the local system to fostering further away to relieve strain on shelters.

https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-california-01-14-25-hnk#cm5wggj4m00053b6oa92lrr3d

altadena-slow-painful-search-victims/[/URL]

Best Friends Animal Society really is the best - I've been supporting them for years.

 

[iamshadow21]

Twenty three Navajo Scouts are now helping to fight the Eaton fire.

California fires: LA fire crews make progress as officials expect ‘much-needed break’ from dangerous weather – as it happened

Firefighters report gains in containing Eaton and Palisades fires; more than 120,000 people still without power

www.theguardian.com

 

[DS2021]

Some major progress today!

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection | CAL FIRE

www.fire.ca.gov

 

[LadyL]

And in complex car accidents ... if the Jaws of Life are needed, or there is a chance of car fire.

They are certainly utiised as much as possible, which limits the down time.

BTW - for those who are interested - I saw in an article yesterday that said the Auto Fire is called that due to the large amount of car dealerships in that area (as opposed to a car fire as was originally thought).

imo

ETA link:

California Wildfire Updates: Palisades, Eaton Fires Fully Contained

The Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles remained active for over three weeks.

www.forbes.com

I've been wondering how they name them and who names them.

 

[Herat]

I've been wondering how they name them and who names them.

A common fire naming system uses the street the first report of fire comes from, the one in the first 911 call, or where the Fire Department heads to when they get the call.

 

[Tricia]

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Do not comment on this thread. CLICK HERE to ask questions and to learn more.
Thank you very much.

 

[Snoods]

This is fascinating - and thank you for the extra detail. I hadn't seen the part about the burn scar. The two guys who led authorities to this site have been on SM.

Smoldering roots is how it's being referred to in MSM, as one of the hypotheses.

This sparked the usual conversation at my house (get rid of all sales of fireworks and invest money in drone task forces to find firework law violators).

It was the most massive year of fireworks that I can ever remember, this year. And they are of course illegal - and the places that do have the drone tax forces had way fewer fireworks. There are still nearby locales (to Los Angeles) where selling fireworks is legal. The entire state should ban all of them.

Gosh, I sound old and cranky there - but it's been tough watching things burn this week.

I agree. Fireworks should be illegal for many reasons, I detest them. They are also an explosion of fear for animals.

1. Companion animals like dogs, cats, and horses suffer. Countless pets run away every year, horses panic and harm themselves.
2. Birds panic and flee, causing them harm and death. When fireworks are set off even their migration schedules are disrupted.
3. Wild animals become frightened and abandon their young. Wild animals experience fear and panic, running into roadways and getting killed.

 

[Friday Fan]

This is fascinating - and thank you for the extra detail. I hadn't seen the part about the burn scar. The two guys who led authorities to this site have been on SM.

Smoldering roots is how it's being referred to in MSM, as one of the hypotheses.

This sparked the usual conversation at my house (get rid of all sales of fireworks and invest money in drone task forces to find firework law violators).

It was the most massive year of fireworks that I can ever remember, this year. And they are of course illegal - and the places that do have the drone tax forces had way fewer fireworks. There are still nearby locales (to Los Angeles) where selling fireworks is legal. The entire state should ban all of them.

Gosh, I sound old and cranky there - but it's been tough watching things burn this week.

We have thousands upon thousands of illegal fireworks in San Antonio. All under fire weather warnings too. However, our fires usually don't spread like crazy. Usually they are confined to a lot. Despite all this, I don't believe we had any notable fires this year. Usually it's a small patch of grass and they don't call the FD.


NYE home fireworks are a huge tradition here and have been a big part of the Mexican-American community. When they made them illegal, alot of people felt their traditions were being left out.

 

[iamshadow21]

I agree. Fireworks should be illegal for many reasons, I detest them. They are also an explosion of fear for animals.

1. Companion animals like dogs, cats, and horses suffer. Countless pets run away every year, horses panic and harm themselves.
2. Birds panic and flee, causing them harm and death. When fireworks are set off even their migration schedules are disrupted.
3. Wild animals become frightened and abandon their young. Wild animals experience fear and panic, running into roadways and getting killed.

They're also a huge PTSD trigger for many human folks.

MOO