What we know about the 27 wildfire fatalities, where they were found and how many remain missing

At least 27 people have now been confirmed dead in the Eaton and Palisades fires, according to adjusted numbers released Tuesday night by the L.A. County Medical Examiner.

The Eaton Fire, with 17 dead, is now the fifth most deadly fire in state history. Another 10 have died in the Palisades Fire, up from eight reported Tuesday, which also puts that fire on the list of 20 deadliest in California.

Where things stand: Officials continue to warn that we don't yet have any clarity on the total toll.

Still missing: As of Thursday morning, sheriff's officials said in areas they patrol they are still investigating 24 missing person reports in the Eaton Fire and seven in the Palisades Fire. L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said 12 people that were reported missing have been found alive.

LAPD officials said they've investigated 38 reports of missing people in the Palisades Fire, and 30 have been found safe. Authorities said they believe that of the eight still missing, three are "most likely" among the dead who have not yet been positively identified and five remain missing.

Where the searches stand: Sheriff's officials also said that they've covered about 78% of the Eaton Fire burn area — searching more than 5,500 properties. [We will update with LAPD's Palisades numbers when we have them.]

Names released so far:

• Charles Mortimer, 84, who died at a hospital of a heart attack following smoke inhalation and burns in the Palisades Fire
• Victor Shaw, 66, who's cause of death is listed as smoke inhalation and burns in the Eaton Fire
• Zhi Feng Zhao, 84, who died in the Eaton Fire.
• Jeffrey Takeyama, 69, who died in the Palisades Fire.
  
  • Read more: Family remembers Victor Shaw, killed in the Eaton Fire, for his bond with his sister

Family members have identified two other victims in the Eaton Fire as a father and son, Anthony Mitchell, Sr. and Justin Mitchell, who were both disabled. Those names have not officially been released by the medical examiner.

• Read more: A pitmaster and dedicated father died alongside his son waiting for help in LA fire

What we know about the dead

• Most of the 27 are listed only as case numbers by the coroner
  

Where they died

In Eaton Fire

• 3400 block of Monterosa Dr. in Altadena (Victor Shaw, 66, on 1/8/2025)
• 3200 block of Tonia Ave. in Altadena (Zhi Feng Zhao, 84, on 1/14/2025)
• 3200 block of Tonia Ave. in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #29 on 1/9/2025)
• 300 block of Alta Pine Dr. in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #24 on 1/8/2025)
• 100 block of W. Terrace St. in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #26 1/8/2025)
• 100 block of E. Las Flores Dr. in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #25 on 1/9/2025)
• 800 block of E. Sacramento Sr. in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #39 1/10/2025)
• 100 block of W. Terrace St. in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #31 1/10/2025)
• 30 block W. Pine St. in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #421/11/2025)
• 100 block of E. Las Flores Dr. in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #37 1/12/2025)
• 500 block of E. Las Flores in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #46 1/11/2025)
• 80 block of W. Mariposa St. in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #491/12/2025)
• 500 block of Punahou St. in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #47 1/12/2025)
• 2500 Marengo Ave. in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #50 1/12/2025)
• 3000 block of Krenz Ave in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #36 1/11/2025)
• 200 block of Wapello St. in Altadena (Unidentified Doe #38 1/11/2025)
• 20 block of E. Palm St. in Altadena (At the Department of Medical Examiner)

In Palisades Fire

• Palisades (Charles Mortimer, 84, at a hospital) (1/8/2025)
• 23300 block of W. Paloma Blanca Dr. in Malibu (Jeffrey Takeyama, 69, Residence) (1/12/2025)
• 20900 block of Pacific Coast Hwy in Malibu (Unidentified Doe #19 on 1/9/2025)
• 20400 block of Roca Chica Dr. in Malibu (Unidentified Doe #20 on 1/9/2025)
• 15300 block of Friends St. in Pacific Palisades (Unidentified Doe #28 on 1/9/2025)
• 22100 block of Swenson Dr. in Topanga (Unidentified Doe #32 on 1/9/2025)
• 1000 block of Glenhaven Dr. in Palisades (Unidentified Doe #41 1/11/2025)
• 1700 block of Rambla Pacifico St. in Malibu (1/12/2025)
• 600 block of Las Lomas Ave. in Pacific Palisades (Unidentified Doe #54)
• 20900 block of Pacific Coast Hwy. in Malibu (At the Department of Medical Examiner)

When will we know more?

L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna has cautioned that the death toll remains preliminary. He says many of the burned out areas look like bomb sites, and his deputies are still searching.

A cadaver dog, from the Los Angeles County Sheriff, sniffs through the rubble of beachfront properties destroyed by the Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, on January 12, 2025.

(

Frederic J. Brown

/

AFP via Getty Images

)

Those structure to structure searches began Saturday and continue. Deputies are using cadaver dogs as they assess damage and look for additional victims. Luna said because conditions on the ground remain so dangerous, the searches will only take place during daylight hours.

Why some IDs may be a painstaking process: "The identification make take several weeks as the Department of Medical Examiner is not able to respond to all death locations due to the fire conditions and safety concerns," according to an earlier statement from the medical examiner's office. "Please also keep in mind, traditional means of identification such as fingerprinting and visual identification may not be available and will add more time for naming these decedents."

What's next: Despite those limitations, the medical examiner's office nonetheless noted the sense of urgency surrounding these cases: "The Department of Medical Examiner understands how important it is to identify those lost in the wildfires and is working diligently, while following safety protocols, to provide the information to the next of kin as soon as reasonably possible."

If you are worried about someone who is missing

The sheriff is asking people to reach out and file a missing persons report. "I encourage you, if you believe somebody's missing ... talk to the deputies," Luna said. "We will assist you in any which way that we can." The main number is (213) 229-1700. Also: L.A. County's emergency website also directs people to reach out to the Red Cross' reunification team for help.

How common are fatalities in wildfires?: For most of the last century, deaths in California wildfires were very rare. That began to change in the last couple of decades as the cadence and ferocity of fires picked up speed. Before the most recent fires, 11 of the 20 deadliest fires in the state had taken place since 2003.

Fire resources and tips

If you have to leave now:

• Cheat sheet: Your very short guide to getting packed up right now to evacuate
• Cheat sheet: A very short guide for how to leave your house if you need to evacuate

If you have more time:

• Every day is now fire season. Let's get you ready for the next wildfire burning near you

Things to consider:

• Evacuation terms can be confusing. Here’s what they mean and how to sign up for alerts
• This is why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home

Navigating fire conditions

• Cheat sheet: Your very short guide to driving in high winds and fire danger
• High winds and fires mean power outages. Here's how to prep

How to help yourself and others

• Resources for SoCal fire victims, evacuees and first responders
• What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
• If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer

Understanding how it got this bad

• Yes, wildfires are getting worse. The history that got us to this moment