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LA fires live updates: Over 30 people remain unaccounted for

The wildfire threat is ongoing as dangerous winds hit the Los Angeles area.

ByKevin Shalvey, David Brennan, Emily Shapiro, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: January 14, 2025, 3:50 PM EST

At least 24 people have died as multiple wildfires, fueled by severe drought conditions and strong winds, rage across the Los Angeles area.

Thousands of firefighters are battling wildfires across 45 square miles of densely populated Los Angeles County. About 88,000 people remain under mandatory evacuation orders and another 84,000 are under evacuation warnings.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 14, 9:22 am

Status of Palisades, Eaton fires

The Palisades Fire, which began in the Pacific Palisades on Jan. 7, has destroyed about 5,000 structures. It's covered more than 23,000 acres and is at 17% containment.

The Eaton Fire north of Pasadena also began on Jan. 7 and has destroyed or damaged around 7,000 structures. It's burned over 14,000 acres and is at 35% containment.

Jan 13, 2025, 1:45 PM EST

Biden: 'Our hearts ache for the 24 innocent souls we have lost'

President Joe Biden said in a new statement, "Our hearts ache for the 24 innocent souls we have lost in the wildfires."

A view of the Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates that was destroyed by the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, Jan. 12, 2025.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Biden said he continues to be "frequently briefed" on updates. He said he’s "directed our team to respond promptly to any request for additional federal firefighting assistance," adding that his team is "laser-focused on helping survivors and we will continue to use every tool available to support the urgent firefight as the winds are projected to increase."

"To the brave firefighters and first responders working day and night to suppress these fires and save lives: our nation is grateful,” Biden said. “You represent the best of America and we are in your debt."

-ABC News’ Molly Nagle

Jan 13, 2025, 11:44 AM EST

Areas for worst wind conditions this week

The National Weather Service has highlighted these three areas where officials believe there’s the highest chance for explosive fire growth this week. The Hurst Fire is in the highlighted area and the Palisades Fire is near the highlighted area.

National Weather Service in Los Angeles highlighted 3 areas where they think there is the highest chance for potentially explosive fire growth.
ABC News

The extreme fire risk will last from 4 a.m. Tuesday to noon Wednesday.

Winds could climb as high as 45 to 70 mph and humidity could be as low as 8 to 15%.

-ABC News’ Max Golembo

Jan 13, 2025, 11:23 AM EST

Crews finding remains in Altadena: Sheriff

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said he knows displaced residents want to return to their neighborhoods, but he warned, "we are in the third day of grid searching" in Altadena.

"It is a very grim task," he said, noting that every day crews are finding people’s remains.

Members of the California National Guard stand near rising smoke, as the Eaton Fire continues, in Altadena, Calif., Jan. 12, 2025.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Twenty-three people have been reported missing: 17 from the Eaton Fire and six in the Malibu area, the sheriff said.

Jan 13, 2025, 11:20 AM EST

Severe fire conditions to continue through Wednesday

Severe fire weather conditions -- high winds with low humidity -- will continue through Wednesday, keeping the fire threat in all of Los Angeles County critical, LA Fire Chief Anthony Marrone warned at a news conference.

A firefighter sets up a hose while fighting the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Eric Thayer/AP

Amid the "unprecedented disaster," Marrone shared positive news that the Eaton Fire in Altadena didn’t grow at all on Sunday.

The Eaton Fire has damaged or destroyed over 7,000 structures, Marrone said. He said damage inspections for dwellings are 26% completed.

A damaged children's toy sits on the lawn of a devastated home, as the Eaton Fire continues, in Altadena, Calif., Jan. 12, 2025.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

The super scooper firefighting plane damaged by a drone last week has been repaired, Marrone said. Crews are waiting for the Federal Aviation Administration to give the OK to send the plane back in the air.

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