At least 24 people are believed to be dead and more than a dozen others remain unaccounted for as multiple fires, fueled by severe drought conditions and strong Santa Ana winds, continue to rage across Southern California, leaving fire crews scrambling to contain the historic destruction.
Thousands of firefighters are battling several sprawling wildfires across 45 square miles of densely populated Los Angeles County. The largest, the Palisades Fire, in Pacific Palisades, has scorched nearly 24,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and is 11% contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 14,100 acres and is 27% contained. The Hurst Fire near Sylmar has burned 799 acres and is 89% contained.
About 105,000 people remain under mandatory evacuation orders and another 87,000 are under evacuation warnings.
The Palisades Fire, which began in the Pacific Palisades on Jan. 7, has destroyed or damaged more than 6,000 structures. It's covered more than 23,700 acres and is at 68% containment.
The Eaton Fire north of Pasadena also began on Jan. 7 and has destroyed or damaged more than 10,000 structures. It's burned over 14,000 acres and is at 91% containment.
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.
Jan 10, 2025, 4:12 PM EST
Over 7,000 structures damaged, destroyed by Eaton Fire
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.
Cars are left charred inside a dealership in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, Jan. 10, 2025 in Altadena, Calif.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Jan 10, 2025, 2:47 PM EST
Biden says death toll likely to increase
President Joe Biden said he expects the death toll from the fires to increase.
"It will increase, whether significantly or not, we don't know yet. There's still a lot of people around, accounting for," Biden said.
A partly melted car sits near burned-out homes destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 10, 2025.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
The president said the White House is coordinating with the incoming Trump administration on the federal response.
"Everything they know, every single thing we're doing about the report, the response. My hope is that they'll have -- at least acknowledge we have some significant experience in this, we've done really well on it. I’m praying that they continue the focus," he said.
In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, burned homes are seen from above during the Palisades fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jan. 9, 2025.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
Biden said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has activated its critical needs assistance, which provides a one-time payment of $750 to survivors so they can quickly purchase critical items like water, formula, gas and prescription drugs.
"This is not going to be over, even when all the fires are out," Biden warned.
In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, homes burned from the Palisade fire smolder near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jan. 9, 2025.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
"We're going to need the United States Congress to follow up with appropriations to help provide for significant help," Biden said.
The president and Vice President Kamala Harris praised the work of first responders and Harris noted the moments of optimism amid the devastation.
"People looking out for each other, regardless of where they come from or who they voted for, they're looking out for each other and showing the best of the American spirit in a moment of crisis," Harris said.
-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart, Kelsey Walsh and Molly Nagle
Jan 10, 2025, 12:00 PM EST
Possible arson suspect identified by residents near Kenneth Fire
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.
