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

[JennieM]

'Love thy neighbour,' says LA County supervisor

Kathryn Barger, the supervisor of Los Angeles County, urges residents to heed the evacuation order from the Eaton Fire.

She added that she was "shocked" to see people, some of whom do not even live in the neighbourhood, walking around normally even as first responders worked.

"To those of you who have lost homes, please reach out for help," she added, noting that many lost "everything they had".

"Reach out," she added. "Love thy neighbour."

California's fire death toll doubles as chaos grips LA

Ten deaths have been confirmed so far in the Los Angeles fires, which have been fanned by powerful winds.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

DAMAGE

Los Angeles County has lost several facilities to fire, officials say​

BY JAIMIE DING, LISA BAUMANN

Los Angeles County has lost several facilities to fire, including the Eaton Canyon nature center and a senior center, LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said at a media briefing Wednesday afternoon.

She also said a sheriff’s station had been evacuated because of fire. It wasn’t clear if it had been damaged.

Los Angeles-area wildfires: Updates from Jan. 8, 2025

AP coverage of the California wildfires on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.

apnews.com

 

[JennieM]

Gas shut offs impact 15,000 people​

Los Angeles County official Lindsey Horvath is now speaking. Horvath says she has visited evacuation centres to meet with those who fled the flames.

Horvath is sharing information for local residents on how to access emergency services and insurance. She also mentions:

• Evacuation orders have expanded into San Vicente
• Gas shut offs are impacting more than 15,000 people in the area
• The winds will remain strong overnight and the emergency will continue

California's fire death toll doubles as chaos grips LA

Ten deaths have been confirmed so far in the Los Angeles fires, which have been fanned by powerful winds.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

2m ago
At a press conference this afternoon, Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass spoke about the devastation wrought by the wildfires proliferating across southern California, just hours after she returned from an international trip to Ghana.

“I stand here today with incredible sympathy and concern about the devastation and the tragedy that our city and county are facing, and I definitely want to send my condolences to the families and neighborhoods who lost property,” she said. “This Firestone Firestorm is the big one in magnitude. Hurricane force winds are usually accompanied by rain storms, but these are hurricane force winds that are combined with extremely dry drought conditions.”

“I’ve been in constant contact with our fire commanders, with county, state and federal officials. I took the fastest route back, which included being on a military plane, which facilitated our communications, so I was able to be on the phone the entire time of the flight,” she added, speaking about her journey home after the fires broke out Tuesday morning.

Biden sends federal resources to battle blazes – as it happened

This blog has now closed. Our new live blog is here and you can read our full report on the Californian blazes here.

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

now
More than 100,000 people are now under mandatory evacuations as wildfires continue to rage across southern California. As many as 1,500 structures, mostly homes and businesses, have been destroyed in the metropolitan area.

Biden sends federal resources to battle blazes – as it happened

This blog has now closed. Our new live blog is here and you can read our full report on the Californian blazes here.

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

Hurst Fire still raging, Woodley Fire contained​

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley says the Hurst fire has grown to 700 acres, with evacuations ongoing and "multiple structures" threatened.

The Woodley incident is controlled, and has burned about 30 acres in total.

Crowley also says there have been "an extensive number" of medical emergencies in the city while the fires were ongoing.

California's fire death toll doubles as chaos grips LA

Ten deaths have been confirmed so far in the Los Angeles fires, which have been fanned by powerful winds.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

Palisades Fire still growing - LA fire chief​

IMAGE SOURCE, US POOL
Chief Crowley says they have called in extra firefighters.

Some 1,792 personnel have been deployed, she says.

"The Palisades Fire continues to demand significant resources," Crowley says.

"It's over 15,800 acres and is growing."

Firefighters taking water from pools to tackle blazes​

​

Chief Crowley says that firefighters have been experiencing problems with water pressure as they combat the Palisades Fire.

First responders are pulling water from ponds, pools and other available water sources as they fight the blaze.

The focus, she says, remains on savings lives, evacuations and rescues.

"We are not out of danger," she adds.

California's fire death toll doubles as chaos grips LA

Ten deaths have been confirmed so far in the Los Angeles fires, which have been fanned by powerful winds.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

44 min ago

5 wildfires are now burning in Los Angeles County. Here's where things stand​

From CNN staff
Five wind-driven fires are burning through Los Angeles County as emergency workers are stretched thin and over 150,000 people are under evacuation orders.

Here is the latest on the five fires, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection:

The Palisades Fire is the largest fire in the county right now, burning more than 15,832 acres, fire officials said. The bulk of the fire is in Pacific Palisades, located between Santa Monica and Malibu. It has destroyed at least 1,000 structures, according to Los Angeles County fire chief Anthony Marrone.

The Eaton Fire has burned about 10,600 acres, according to Cal Fire. Five people are dead as a result of the Eaton Fire, Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo said. About 200 to 500 structures have been damaged or lost as a result of this fire, Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin said.

The Woodley Fire started on Wednesday and has burned at least 30 acres, with 0% containment.

The Hurst Fire, which started Tuesday night, has burned more than 505 acres, and is 0% contained.

The Lidia Fire started on Wednesday afternoon and quickly expanded to 80 acres. The brushfire, which is 30% contained, is burning near Acton, a small residential community about 50 miles from Pacific Palisades.

https://edition.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-pacific-palisades-eaton-wildfires-01-08-25/index.html?t=1736386771661

 

[JennieM]

1 min ago

"We are not out of danger": LA fire chief lays out steps that the public can take to stay safe and help​

From CNN's Aditi Sangal

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley warned residents, “we are not out of danger” as strong winds will continue throughout the night while the fires rage on.

She urged the public to help the first responders by doing the following:

• Stay informed through trusted news and official updates.
• Be prepared to evacuate if you live near wildland areas.
• Follow all evacuation warnings and orders without delay.
• Stay off the roadways and away from any impacted areas.

1 hr 1 min ago

15 strike teams in place to assist firefighters with Eaton Fire, with more on the way​

From CNN's Taylor Romine
Fifteen strike teams are in place to help with the Eaton Fire, with more arriving from Arizona this evening, Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin said Wednesday.

They expect close to 50 strike teams over the next 24 hours, he said.

https://edition.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-pacific-palisades-eaton-wildfires-01-08-25/index.html?t=1736386771661

 

[JennieM]

Eaton Fire at 10,600 acres, 0% contained​

We're hearing now from the Los Angeles County fire chief, Anthony Marrone, who says the Eaton Fire has grown to 10,600 acres fire with 0% containment.

"Unfortunately we have five reported civilian fatalities, a number of injuries, and over 1,000 structures damaged or destroyed," he said.

He added officials from outside California, including from Arizona, have arrived to help the firefighting efforts.

California's fire death toll doubles as chaos grips LA

Ten deaths have been confirmed so far in the Los Angeles fires, which have been fanned by powerful winds.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

Three arrests for looting​

​

We've just heard from Los Angeles police chief Jim McDonnell, who says the fire conditions are "unprecedented" and "unpredictable".

McDonnell ended his brief remarks by saying that looting "will not be tolerated at all".

He urged people to stay out of areas affected by the fires - a warning we've heard repeated several times today.

There have been at least three arrests for looting so far, says Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.

"If you do not belong in these areas, do not go there," he says.

"These people have gone through so much, don't put them through more than they have to go through", he adds.

California's fire death toll doubles as chaos grips LA

Ten deaths have been confirmed so far in the Los Angeles fires, which have been fanned by powerful winds.

www.bbc.co.uk

Three people have been arrested for looting in fire-affected areas, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a media briefing Wednesday afternoon.

“That is 100% unacceptable,” he said.

Los Angeles-area wildfires: Updates from Jan. 8, 2025

AP coverage of the California wildfires on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.

apnews.com

 

[Izzylizzy]

Latest coming across now
New fire starts in Hollywood Hills.

Brush fires burn in Hollywood Hills​

NBC4 Los Angeles
https://www.nbclosangeles.com › news › local › hollyw...




3 minutes ago — The fire is one of at least five burning in Los Angeles County as the region remains under a red flag warning. Refresh this page for updates ...

 

[JennieM]

1m ago
Firefighters from across the West are aiding California in its fight against the Los Angeles area wildfires.

“At this time, the state of California is exercising their emergency compacts with the western states of Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Oregon and Washington for additional firefighting resources and personnel to come to Los Angeles County to assist us with this widespread fire emergency,” LA county fire chief Anthony Marrone said at a press conference this evening. “One data point is that we have 60 units responding from Oregon, 45 units responding from Washington, 10 units responding from New Mexico, 15 units responding from Utah, and numerous units responding from Arizona.”

Biden sends federal resources to battle blazes – as it happened

This blog has now closed. Our new live blog is here and you can read our full report on the Californian blazes here.

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

less than 1 min ago

Here is where the major fires in Los Angeles stand​

From CNN's Taylor Romine
Firefighters have spent the day doing whatever possible to fight fires across the county as strong winds and low humidity made for difficult conditions. Here are where they stand, according to Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley:

• Palisades Fire: Over 15,800 acres with 1,792 personnel assigned
• Hurst Fire: Over 700 acres with 260 personnel assigned
• Woodley Fire: Now controlled at approximately 30 acres

The Eaton Fire, which is not under LAFD’s jurisdiction, is currently at 10,600 acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

In addition to responding to these fires, LAFD also responded to 3,950 911 calls, including 10 structure fires, Crowley said.


1 min ago

About 130,000 people impacted by evacuation warnings or orders due to Eaton and Palisades fires​

From CNN's Aditi Sangal
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna gave a breakdown of the number of people impacted by either evacuation orders or warnings so far:

• Eaton Fire: Over 70,000 people
• Palisades Fire: Approximately 60,000 people

https://edition.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-pacific-palisades-eaton-wildfires-01-08-25/index.html?t=1736387244682

 

[JennieM]

Water flow had significant issues​

Janisse Quiñones, head of the LA Department of Water and Power, says that water continues to flow in Pacific Palisades' main system - although it has faced significant issues during the fires.

According to Quiñones, the winds affected air support, while a significant number of hoses connected to the system amid the firefighting effort hampered the water flow, particularly at higher elevations.

A total of 19 water tankers have been deployed, she adds.

She also urged residents to inform authorities about any issues with water.

California's fire death toll doubles as chaos grips LA

Ten deaths have been confirmed so far in the Los Angeles fires, which have been fanned by powerful winds.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

now
Speaking to CNN’s Anderson Cooper in Altadena, California, Wednesday evening, California governor Gavin Newsom compared the wildfires current raging around Los Angeles to the Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in state history which devastated the town of Paradise.

“Just complete and utter devastation, and I’ve been to a lot of these fires, a lot, going back to Paradise. This approximates Paradise,” he said. “It’s not numeric. It’s just the feeling – the sense of loss, place, belonging.”

Biden sends federal resources to battle blazes – as it happened

This blog has now closed. Our new live blog is here and you can read our full report on the Californian blazes here.

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

less than 1 min ago

Nevada sending resources to help firefighters in California​

From CNN's Nouran Salahieh
Nevada is sending resources from multiple fire agencies to Southern California to help in the firefight against the Palisades Fire, Nevada state officials said.

“Today, I announced that Nevada firefighting assets will deploy to Southern California to assist our neighbors in combatting one of the worst fires in recent history,” Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo said in a post on X. “Please pray for their safety and for the communities displaced by these awful fires.”

The Palisades Fire, the largest of multiple fires currently burning in Los Angeles County, has burned more than 15,800 acres, destroyed at least 1,000 structures and forced thousands to flee their homes, authorities said.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Wednesday that resources have been “depleted” and nearby states, including Oregon, Arizona and Utah, are sending support.

2 min ago

Extreme fire weather ignited Southern California fires, chief says​

From CNN's Emma Tucker
Extreme fire weather in Southern California ignited fires throughout the region, as strong winds and low humidity continue to exacerbate conditions, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley.

“Southern California is continuing to endure some of the most historic fire conditions on record. Extreme fire weather, driven by strong and erratic winds and low humidity, have ignited multiple fires across our region.”

LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley

The LAFD is monitoring and adapting to the “evolving nature of this weather event” and will be prepared to respond to any additional incidents, the fire chief said at a Wednesday news conference.

Crowley said the department “augmented our staffing levels and strategically pre-deployed our additional resources” in preparation. The agency also recalled off-duty LAFD firefighters to bolster its response across the city, she said.

The Palisades Fire “continues to demand significant local, regional, state and federal resources,” said Crowley. “This incident is very, very dynamic as we speak.”

Crowley noted winds have subsided slightly, enough to allow aircraft to provide “critical air support to this fire.”

https://edition.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-pacific-palisades-eaton-wildfires-01-08-25/index.html?t=1736387525008

 

[JennieM]

Two schools 'completely destroyed'
​

Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho says the district has lost two schools in the Palisades, which were "completely destroyed".

Carvalho said eight centres will be set up for food to be distributed to students from the district.

Schools across the district will be closed on Thursday because of dangerous conditions including from smoke and air quality, says Carvalho.

"Our first priority is to protect wellbeing of our workforce and our students and that is what we are doing now," he says.

California's fire death toll doubles as chaos grips LA

Ten deaths have been confirmed so far in the Los Angeles fires, which have been fanned by powerful winds.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

less than 1 min ago

Cause of Eaton fire is “unknown and under active investigation"​

From CNN's Helen Regan
The cause of the Eaton fire is “unknown and under active investigation,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone told reporters Wednesday.

Marrone said the US Forest Service arson investigators were investigating the fires along with the Los Angeles Country Fire Department and the Los Angeles Country Sheriff’s Department.

“The moment we learn the cause of this fire, we will advise the media,” Marrone said.

https://edition.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-pacific-palisades-eaton-wildfires-01-08-25/index.html?t=1736387657122

 

[JennieM]

New fire breaks out in Hollywood Hills​

Officials have just confirmed another fire has broken out in the Hollywood Hills, near Runyon Canyon.

Chief Crowley said that there are "active water drops" taking place in the area.

She was unable to provide more information, noting that officials had just been informed about the fire minutes earlier.

Runyon Canyon and the Hollywood Hills are among the most famous parts of Los Angeles - and are home to the iconic Hollywood sign.

California's fire death toll doubles as chaos grips LA

Ten deaths have been confirmed so far in the Los Angeles fires, which have been fanned by powerful winds.

www.bbc.co.uk

1m ago
Another brushfire has broken out in Los Angeles, this time in the Hollywood Hills.

“We have a new brush fire that has just broken out within the last five minutes in the Hollywood Hills,” LAFD fire chief Kristin Crowley announced at a press conference this afternoon, before excusing herself to respond to the event.

CBS News Los Angeles first reported the fire just after 5:30 p.m. in the 2300 block of N. Solar Drive.

Biden sends federal resources to battle blazes – as it happened

This blog has now closed. Our new live blog is here and you can read our full report on the Californian blazes here.

www.theguardian.com

less than 1 min ago

A brush fire has broken out in the Hollywood Hills near Runyon Canyon, LA fire chief says​

From CNN's Aditi Sangal
A new brush fire has broken out in the Hollywood Hills near Runyon Canyon, according to Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley.

It broke out in the past few minutes, she announced as an evening news briefing was underway, but she did not provide more information.

“We are throwing all of our available resources at it as we speak,” she added.

https://edition.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-pacific-palisades-eaton-wildfires-01-08-25/index.html?t=1736388118097