Thousands of firefighters are battling the sprawling wildfires across LA.
Nearly a dozen people are believed to be dead -- with the Los Angeles County sheriff saying he expects that number to rise -- as devastating fires spread across Southern California amid dry and windy conditions, leaving officials scrambling to contain the historic destruction.
Thousands of firefighters are battling at least five sprawling wildfires spread around the LA area. The largest, the Palisades Fire, in Pacific Palisades, has scorched over 20,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and is 8% contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 13,000 acres and 0% contained. More than 150,000 people are under evacuation orders.
David Muir anchors a special edition of "20/20" with continuing coverage of the deadly California fires. “American Catastrophe: LA Burning - A Special Edition of 20/20” starts tonight at 9/8c on ABC.
A man was detained by residents near the Kenneth Fire under suspicion of arson, but due to lack of probable cause he was not arrested or charged, Los Angeles police said Friday.
However, he was arrested on a felony probation violation, Los Angeles police said.
A 12-hour curfew is in effect for all evacuated areas to protect the structures and prevent looting, Los Angeles officials said at a press conference Friday. Any violators of the curfew will be arrested.
"People may talk about no bail, but I assure you, if someone is caught you will not be cited and released -- you will be booked and go to jail," Los Angeles County Sherrif Robert Luna said at a press conference Friday.
Law enforcement will be strictly enforcing the curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., with exceptions allowed for disaster workers and credentialed media.
A super scooper plane fighting the Palisades Fire struck a drone on Thursday, leaving it out of commission until at least Monday as it gets repaired, officials said.
This was one of only two super scoopers available, officials said.
LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman warned that anyone flying a drone will be prosecuted.
"If you're thinking that it's fine to send a drone up in the area for your own amusement, or you want to get information that nobody else can get, and you do it in one of these areas that for which drones are not permitted … you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted and you will be punished to the full extent of the law," he said.
The Eaton Fire is now at 13,956 acres with 3% containment. The fire is believed to have damaged or destroyed 4,000 to 5,000 structures, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.
There are currently 5,527 firefighters responding to the fire.
The fire did make a push toward Mount Wilson Observatory on Thursday, but the building did not suffer any damage. One firefighter was injured due to a fall while responding to the fire, but the firefighter is currently recovering.
The region is in a "much better posture" than it was earlier this week, Marrone said at a press conference Friday.
The red flag warning will continue until Friday at 6 p.m. PST, but firefighters will be preparing for the next red flag event expected to begin on Monday, Marrone said.
