Live

California fires live updates: Mayor's office denies report LAFD chief was dismissed

Thousands of firefighters are battling the sprawling wildfires across LA.

ByJon Haworth, Emily Shapiro, Nadine El-Bawab, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: January 10, 2025, 7:22 PM EST

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 21,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and is 8% contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 13,000 acres and is 3% contained. More than 100,000 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.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 10, 2025, 6:14 PM EST

Palisades Fire now over 21,000 acres

The Palisades Fire has grown to 21,317 acres and is 8% contained, fire officials said Friday afternoon.

The remains of homes are seen following the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, Jan. 10, 2025.
David Ryder/Reuters

Jan 10, 2025, 5:08 PM EST

Newsom calls for independent investigation into water supply

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is calling for an independent investigation into the "loss of water pressure to local fire hydrants and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir," he said on X on Friday.

"We need answers to ensure this does not happen again and we have every resource available to fight these catastrophic fires," he said.

A firefighter pulls a hose while battling the Eaton Fire on Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, Calif.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Los Angeles Times reported that the Santa Ynez Reservoir in the Pacific Palisades had been closed for repairs at the time the destructive fire started.

Newsom called the reported lack of Santa Ynez Reservoir water supplies and the loss of water pressure to some fire hydrants during the fires "deeply troubling" in a letter to the heads of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and LA County Public Works.

"While water supplies from local fire hydrants are not designed to extinguish wildfires over large areas, losing supplies from fire hydrants likely impaired the effort to protect some homes and evacuation corridors," he stated in the letter, shared on X.

Jan 10, 2025, 4:56 PM EST

More than 100,000 residents under evacuation orders

Approximately 100,053 residents remain under evacuation orders in the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Kenneth and Lidia fires, according to Los Angeles County Assistant Sheriff Myron Johnson.

Another 166,800 residents are under evacuation warnings, he said.

People arrive at an evacuation center in the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, Calif., as they flee wildfires in the Los Angeles area, Jan. 10, 2025.
Agustin Paullier/AFP via Getty Images

Jan 10, 2025, 4:19 PM EST

18 arrests so far in Eaton, Palisades fires

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said they have made 18 arrests so far regarding criminal activity in connection with the Eaton and Palisades fires.

Charges include looting, burglary, identity theft, possession of burglary tools and possession of narcotics, Assistant Sheriff Myron Johnson said during a briefing Friday.

One suspect was on active parole and was also charged with possession of a concealed firearm, Johnson said.

A curfew enacted in the Palisades and the Eaton fire areas will remain in effect until further notice and "is being taken to enhance public safety, protect property and prevent looting in areas where residents have been evacuated," he said.

Related Topics