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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Over 7,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.

Officials will be holding a virtual meeting on Friday at 4 p.m. PT for all residents to ask city officials questions.

The Eaton Fire is now at nearly 14,000 acres with 3% containment.