California fires updates: Death toll in Los Angeles fires rises to 24

Thousands of firefighters are battling the sprawling wildfires across LA.

ByJon Haworth, Emily Shapiro, Nadine El-Bawab, Meredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira, David Brennan, and Bill Hutchinson
Last Updated: January 12, 2025, 8:26 PM EST

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.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 22, 10:08 am

Status of Palisades, Eaton fires

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 11, 2025, 9:35 PM EST

16 fire-related deaths reported to medical examiner

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said Saturday it is investigating 16 fire-related deaths reported to the department.

Five cases are from the Palisades Fire and 11 are from the Eaton Fire in the Altadena area, the department said.

So far, 10 of the cases have been confirmed to be human remains, the medical examiner said.

One of the cases involved a person who died at the hospital, who was a man in his 80s, the medical examiner said.

In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, burned homes are seen from above during the Palisades fire near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 9, 2025.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Jan 11, 2025, 7:33 PM EST

Newsom launches a site to counter misinformation

Gov. Gavin Newsom's office launched a website Saturday debunking several falsehoods that have spread online about the fires over the last couple of days.

The site addresses several issues and including the budget for state firefighters, reservoir levels and false claims made by conservative pundits about the fires.

Jan 11, 2025, 5:54 PM EST

LA health official warns of air quality issues

Dr. Anish Mahajan, the chief deputy director of LA County Public Health, issued a smoke advisory for Saturday evening that he said would likely last longer.

The smoke from the fire has produced large quantities of small particles, gases and water vapor that is dangerous for vulnerable groups such as children and the elderly, according to Mahajan.

"It's those small particles that get into our noses and throats and cause sore throats and headaches," he said.

Mahajan warned residents to stay indoors while the advisory is in effect and said anyone who needs to work outside should wear a N95 mask.

Jan 11, 2025, 5:54 PM EST

16,000 people registered for FEMA assistance: Official

A White House official told ABC News that as of Saturday, 16,000 people have registered for FEMA assistance since President Joe Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for the LA fires.

The official added that at the president's direction, the Department of Defense has made more than 1,000 beds available for displaced personnel and family in bases in the region.

The California National Guard has made 1,000 personnel available to support response efforts, including 250 people with firefighting capabilities, according to the official.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

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