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 22,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and is 11% contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 14,100 acres and is 15% contained. More than 100,000 people are under evacuation orders.
Newsom doubles California National Guard deployment
Gov. Gavin Newsom doubled California's National Guard deployment to the Los Angeles fires to 1,680 service members.
"We are continuing to rush in resources to rapidly respond to the firestorm in Los Angeles fueled by hurricane-force winds. The men and women of the California National Guard are working day and night to help Los Angeles residents during their greatest time of need. We are grateful for their continued bravery and commitment to be of service to others," Newsom said.
2:34 PM EST
California officials warn against price gouging
Price gouging during a state of emergency like the ones in effect in Ventura County and Los Angeles County is illegal, California Attorney General Rob Bonta warned at a press conference Saturday.
"If you're trying to take advantage of somebody. You're burglarizing in one of these evacuation areas. You're trying to scam somebody. We're going to get you," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta speaks at a press conference on Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles.
KABC
California law prohibits a business from charging more than 10% more for a good or service than they did before the emergency. If a business only began selling the item after the emergency declaration, they can't charge more than 50% of the cost of the item, Bonta said.
"We have reports that listing agents are raising rents on the spot, preying on families who have been displaced, many of whom have lost their homes or don't even know what the current status of their home is," Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said.
2:26 PM EST
ATF now lead investigator into cause of fires
The ATF is leading a taskforce investigating the cause and origin of the fires, officials announced at a press conference Saturday.
The task force is made up of local, state and federal partners designed to investigate the cause of these fires and to see if there's any connection between them.
ATF-certified fire investigators arrived on the scene on Friday and additional ATF personnel are coming in to assist in the investigation, an ATF official told ABC News earlier.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaks at a press conference on Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles.
KABC
"When the fires are out, make no mistake, we will have a full accounting of what worked, and especially what did not," LA Mayor Karen Bass said at a press conference Saturday. "So let me be clear about something, the fire chief and I are focused on fighting these fires and saving lives, and any differences that we might have will be worked out in private. But right now, our first and most important obligation to Angelinos is to get through this crisis."
When asked about the taskforce by ABC News, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said, "We're very confident that we have the best and the brightest that our nation has to offer working on this."
-ABC News' Jennifer Watts and Jack Date
11:57 AM EST
13 missing, 11 dead in LA County
At least 13 people are missing and 11 are dead in Los Angeles County as the fires continue to burn.
It remains unknown if any of the missing persons are included in the death count.
Fire Crews battle the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon, on Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Jae C. Hong/AP
The sheriff's department has committed 40 members of its specialized search and rescue teams to work jointly with our partners at Los Angeles County Fire urban search and rescue team with the corners office for LA County, FEMA, the Office of Emergency Services and the use of cadaver dogs to search for remains and reunite families.
