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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, 5:51 PM EST

9 people charged with looting in Palisades, Eaton fires: DA

Nine people have been charged with looting in connection with the Palisades and Eaton fires, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Monday.

"There have been certain people that we have given a warning to because we anticipated that this was half was going to happen, and these are the criminals," Hochman said during a press briefing. "These are the people who are seeking to exploit this tragedy for their own benefit."

A "no looters" sign is placed on a road after residents fled from the Eaton Fire, one of six simultaneous blazes that have ripped across Los Angeles County, in Altadena, Calif., Jan. 11, 2025.
Ringo Chiu/Reuters

Among those charged are three people accused of stealing more than $200,000 in property in a burglary last week at a house in Mandeville Canyon during an "evacuation situation," Hochman said.

A man has also been charged with arson in a fire that occurred in the city of Azusa on Friday, Hochman said.

Jan 13, 2025, 3:42 PM EST

Homeowners, renters sue utility company over Eaton Fire

Four separate lawsuits were filed Monday against Southern California Edison, a utility company in California, by homeowners and renters who lost their homes in the Eaton Fire. The lawsuits each allege the company failed to de-energize all of its electrical equipment despite red flag warnings issued by the National Weather Service.

A man looks for belongings in the remains of his home after burned down by wildfires in the Los Angeles area, at the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2025.
Ringo Chiu/Reuters

-ABC News’ Laura Romero

Jan 13, 2025, 3:05 PM EST

Over 80,000 without power as red flag warnings expand

More than 80,000 customers in California are without power as Southern California Edison starts shutting off power in parts of Southern California ahead of the next wind event, which begins Tuesday.

Areas under a high risk for rapid fire growth have expanded.

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

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