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Slight reprieve from Santa Ana winds aids efforts to contain LA fires
A McDonald's restaurant is showered in embers during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, Calif. on January 7, 2025.
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Josh Edelson
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AFP via Getty Images
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This is a developing story and will be updated. For the most up-to-date information about the fire check the links under each fire.
The Palisades and Eaton fires have so far killed a combined 27 people as firefighters take advantage of a slight reprieve from the Santa Ana winds to increase containment.
Roughly 82,400 residents remain under evacuation orders or warnings across Los Angeles County.
The good news: The Eaton Fire is at 65% containment, burning at just over 14,000 acres. The Palisades Fire in the Santa Monica Mountains has grown to 39% containment, with just above 23,700 acres burned.
According to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, however, the death toll has increased to 27 — 10 in the Palisades Fire, 17 in the Eaton Fire. Authorities say they are carrying out search operations to survey burn areas, warning the death toll could rise.
Few details have been released about the fatalities and coroner's officials cautioned identification may take some time.
The remains of burnt homes are seen after the passage of the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
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Frederic J. Brown
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AFP via Getty Images
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Where things stand: LAPD won't accompany residents to retrieve belongings in fire areas
A curfew is in place in the Palisades and Eaton fire evacuation areas, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. until further notice.
LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell says officers will no longer be accompanying residents into the area to collect things like essential medicine, as the department begins today to search the area for human remains.
"What we found was, uh, that was successful for those who we were able to accommodate, but the numbers became overwhelming," McDonnell said.
How to get information about loved ones
People looking for information on their loved ones can visit family assistance centers set up at Cheviot Hills Recreation Center (2551 Motor Ave., Los Angeles) and Pasadena Convention Center (300 E. Green St., Pasadena).
You can also call (800) 675-5799 or visit redcross.org to fill out an inquiry form.
CalFire's map of significant fires in SoCal. The shaded areas show where smoke and haze has spread in the region, with the darker shades indicating the worst conditions.
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Courtesy CalFire
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More about that health emergency
The order includes a ban on the use of leaf blowers, because they stir up ash and other potentially toxic debris. And it asks county residents to stay indoors to avoid exposure to wildfire smoke.
Some simple steps: Keep your windows and doors closed and avoid using fireplaces, candles, or vacuums.
Curfews and arrests
The L.A. County Sheriff's department said it has made some 30 arrests for people violating those curfews in the Palisades and Eaton fire areas, mostly on suspicion of looting. Specifically, 25 arrests in Eaton Fire area, and 5 in the Palisades area.
L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said deputies arrested a man who allegedly posed as a firefighter with the intention to burglarize houses in the Malibu area.
Fire details
Here's what we know about the latest fire, and others burning now.
Watch CalFire for new incidents ▶
Auto Fire
For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
A fire broke out late Monday (Jan. 13) in Ventura in an area of particular concern for firefighters heading into more high winds.
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Courtesy KCALNews
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Forward progress of the Auto Fire that erupted Monday night has been stopped at nearly 61 acres. Thursday evening, the fire was 85% contained, officials reported.
Strong winds fanned the flames as the fire ate up tall dry grass and brush in the Santa Clara riverbed in Ventura. Firefighters were able to knock down the fire and stop the fire's forward progress a little before midnight. They have remained on scene to mop up hotspots. The fire was confined to the river bottom.
Eaton Fire
Firefighters battle the Eaton Fire in strong winds as many homes burn on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 in Pasadena.
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David McNew
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Getty Images
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For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
The Eaton Fire has devastated whole neighborhoods of Altadena and forced mass evacuations from Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and Glendale. The fire is at 65% containment as of Friday evening.
Officials report 17 deaths due to the fire and said many others were injured as the fire spread. Some areas are also now under orders not to drink or use the water in the area for cooking due to debris from the fire.
Palisades Fire
The Getty Villa art museum threatened by the flames of the wind-driven Palisades Fire Tuesday.
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David Swanson
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AFP via Getty Images
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For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
The Palisades Fire that broke out in the Santa Monica Mountains Jan. 7 and sent thousands of residents fleeing, some of them on foot, as they tried to outrun advancing flames driven by extremely strong winds.
Ten deaths have been confirmed as of Thursday.
More than 23,000 acres have burned, and the fire is so far 39% contained.
Kenneth Fire (contained)
The Kenneth Fire broke out at the top of Victory right next to the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve on Thursday.
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UC San Diego
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Alert California
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For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
The Kenneth Fire that broke out along the western edge of the San Fernando Valley has has been fully contained after growing to 1,052 acres, according to CalFire.
The fire started Thursday in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve and pushed toward dense developments in the cities of Calabasas and Agoura.
All evacuation orders and warnings issued shortly after the fire started have been lifted.
Note: there was initial confusion about both the name and location of this fire. The name was first given as Kennis and the the city alert listed the location as Woodland Hills, but mapped to the correct address in West Hills.
Sunset Fire (contained)
Sunset Fire broke out the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 8 in the Hollywood Hills.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
The brush fire started at 6:04 p.m. on Wednesday at around the 2300 block of Solar Drive in the Hollywood Hills.
The fire quickly burned about 60 acres between Runyon Canyon and Wattles Park. At 7:30 a.m. on Thursday morning, evacuation orders were lifted for the area and by the end of the day the fire was considered fully contained.
Resources stationed nearby and air support likely made a big difference. More than 150 firefighters were deployed to fight the Sunset Fire almost immediately, said Margaret Stewart, public information officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department, to our media partner KCAL News. Helicopters made water drops throughout Wednesday evening into Thursday.
Hurst Fire (contained)
The Hurst fire burns in the hills above the Oakridge residential community in Sylmar, CA on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
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Myung J. Chun
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
The fire started the night of Jan. 7 above Olive View Medical Center and spread toward the 210 Freeway in Sylmar. The CHP received a report that a power line had exploded in the area and that the fire was moving toward homes in the area.
The fire grew to nearly 800 acres by Saturday. As of Thursday, officials reported the fire was 100% contained, aided by a break in Santa Ana wind conditions.
All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted.
Lidia Fire (contained)
For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
The Lidia Fire broke out shortly after 1 p.m. Wednesday off Soledad Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest. It burned 395 acres, and was 100% contained as of early Saturday. The cause is under investigation.
The extreme fire threat prompted forest officials to close down the entire Angeles National Forest starting Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 5 p.m. through midnight Wednesday, Jan. 15.
Woodley Fire (contained)
For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
The Woodley Fire was reported near North Woodley Avenue and the Sepulveda Basin shortly after 6 a.m. Wednesday. Fire crews were able to hold the fire to 30 acres, after initially reporting the size at 75 acres. It is now 100% contained. In the early hours of the fire, officials warned that it posed "a threat of crossing Burbank Boulevard."
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Jacob Margolis, LAist's science reporter, examines the new normal of big fires in California.
Do you have a question about the wildfires or fire recovery?
Check out LAist.com/FireFAQs to see if your question has already been answered. If not, submit your questions here, and we’ll do our best to get you an answer.
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Fire resources and tips
If you have to evacuate
- 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:
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
- These are the steps fire victims need to take to make an insurance claim
Understanding how it got this bad
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