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Photos: Southern California residents return to devastation as two major wildfires rage on
Friday, Jan. 10: Rev. John Shaver (R) looks on while visiting the remains of Community United Methodist Church, where he is pastor.
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Mario Tama
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Getty Images
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More than 100,000 Los Angeles County residents remain under evacuation orders, and the threat of fire there is not over. there were fresh evacuations last night and strong Santa Ana winds are expected to pick up again today.
The Palisades Fire, which is the region's largest, has now burned more than 21,000 acres.
That means just one of L.A.'s many fires has destroyed an area larger than all of Manhattan.
In Altadena, near the Eaton Fire, law enforcement is keeping residents from returning to what's left of their homes. Residents are unable to survey damage there as search and rescue operations go on. Dangerous conditions continue to prevail.
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Biologists have attached tiny, solar transmitters to the monarch butterflies, allowing researchers and everyday visitors to help track the butterflies’ movements in real time. -
Echoing state and local officials, a new analysis agrees: hydrant failures in the Palisades fire were ‘the rule rather than the exception.’ -
California’s snowpack is about 20% of normal for this time of the year, according to the state’s snow-tracking website.
Though winds have died down for now, forecasters expect another Santa Ana wind event to blow in early next week. Gusts are expected at more than 40 mph on Monday and Tuesday.
The scenes
Friday, Jan. 10: Smoke billows from the Palisades fire as seen near Fernwood, Topanga, a community in western Los Angeles County.
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Agustin Paullier
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AFP via Getty Images
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Friday, Jan. 10: A person helps up Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, center, as he meets with victims of the Eaton Fire.
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Ethan Swope
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AP
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Friday, Jan. 10: Melted metal from a burned vehicle is seen on the ground of a property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
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Eric Thayer
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AP
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Friday. Jan. 10: Fire crews monitor the Palisades Fire in the outskirts of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
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Eric Thayer
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AP
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Friday, Jan. 10: This aerial photo shows homes and businesses reduced to smoldering rubble by the Palisades Fire.
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David Swanson
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AFP via Getty Images
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Friday, Jan. 10: Betty Comas, left, waits in line with her dog at an aid center for those affected by wildfires at the Pasadena Convention Center.
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Richard Vogel
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AP
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Friday, Jan.10: Wildfire smoke and burned houses are seen from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood.
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Apu Gomes
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Getty Images
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Friday, Jan. 10: Luke Dexter reacts as he sifts through the remains of his father's fire-ravaged beachfront property.
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John Locher
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AP
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Friday, Jan. 10: A firefighter clears away smoking debris at the site of a structure on Lake Avenue in Altadena.
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Chris Pizzello
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AP
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Friday, Jan. 10: A worker clears debris from the Palisades Fire in Malibu.
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Eric Thayer
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AP
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Jacob Margolis, LAist's science reporter, examines the new normal of big fires in California.
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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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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