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Wildfires continue to rage over more than 27,000 acres in Southern California as crews struggled to contain the blazes.
So far, five people are dead, countless are hurt and more than 1,000 structures are in ruin as the blazes devastate Southern California. The Pacific Palisades Fire is now the most destructive in Los Angeles history.
The Palisades Fire is now more than 15,000 acres, while the Eaton Fire has scorched over 10,000 acres.
The blazes have forced the evacuation of more than 150,000 residents, including more than 30,000 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
Homes have been destroyed across the LA area, including those owned by several celebrities. Dramatic pictures and videos from the scene show people scrambling to save personal belongings or use whatever resources they can find to try and salvage their residences.
Dangerous wind conditions were not expected to let up until the end of the week, which will hamper efforts to control the fires.
“We have a number of hospitals threatened, and if they have to be evacuated, it could become a crisis,” Dr. Puneet Gupta, the assistant medical director for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, told the Associated Press.
Wildfire death toll rises to five
At least five people have been killed by the wildfires raging across the Los Angeles area, the Associated Press reports.
The deaths were reported in Altadena and Pasadena, near where the Eaton fire rages on. The Pacific Palisades fire has also been deemed the most destructive in Los Angeles history.
Katie Hawkinson8 January 2025 23:15
California officials order more than 150,000 people to evacuate
California officials have now ordered more than 150,000 people to evacuate as the destructive wildfires burn on.
More than 1.5 million customers are also without power as the blazes destroy thousands of structures in Southern California.
Katie Hawkinson8 January 2025 23:00
Some 1.5 million California customers are now without power
Approximately 1,534,947 customers had no power by mid-Wednesday afternoon in California, according to tracker PowerOutage.US.
More than 940,000 were in Los Angeles County.
Julia Musto8 January 2025 22:47
FAA expands ban on flights near Los Angeles wildfires: Report
The Federal Aviation Administration has expanded a ban on non-firefighting aircraft over the Los Angeles County wildfires, according to CNN.
The temporary flight restriction now includes:
- Hollywood Hills
- Calabasas
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
- Century City
Julia Musto8 January 2025 22:25
Police officers help to evacuate 101-year-old Laverna Sharpe amid Eaton Fire
Julia Musto8 January 2025 22:23
LAFD experienced ‘some challenges’ with water pressure while fighting the Palisades Fire
Julia Musto8 January 2025 22:14
Will Rogers’ historic ranch house is destroyed in the Palisades Fire
The Palisades Fire has destroyed historic buildings and multiple structures at two California State Parks, including actor Will Rogers’ historic ranch house.
“California State Parks mourns the loss of these treasured natural and cultural resources, and our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area,” State Parks Director Armando Quintero said in a statement. “Since yesterday afternoon, we are directing all available resources into the emergency response effort and working to secure and protect as much as we can at affected nearby state parks. We are deeply grateful to our parks staff and all partner agencies for their swift actions. Our top priority remains the safety of the public, our employees and the responders bravely battling the fires.”
Julia Musto8 January 2025 22:05
