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LA fires live updates: 2 new arson arrests in separate incidents

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

Video byJulian Kim
Last Updated: January 15, 2025, 3:21 PM EST

At least 25 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 82,000 people remain under mandatory evacuation orders and another 90,000 are under evacuation warnings.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 15, 10:05 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 19% 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 45% containment.

2 hours and 18 minutes ago

Red flag warnings in effect, conditions will improve

Red flag warnings remain in effect as high winds and low humidity, which could fuel wildfires, threaten the Los Angeles area.

Firefighters work the scene as an apartment building burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles county, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2025.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Winds are forecast to peak at 40 to 55 mph in the mountains with isolated gusts up to 70 mph. The coast and valleys will see 35 to 50 mph gusts.

These winds will wind down by Wednesday evening. The winds will be much calmer Thursday and Friday.

2 hours and 29 minutes ago

Crews search for human remains

Urban search and rescue workers are using rakes to move debris as they search for human remains along the Pacific Coast Highway where homes were destroyed by the Palisades Fire.

Urban Search and Rescue responders are searching for human remains in the burned out beach front homes from the Palisades Fire.
ABC News

-ABC News’ Alex Stone

11:29 AM EST

LA County under air quality alert

A new air quality alert has been issued for Los Angeles County until 7 p.m. local time "due to harmful particle pollution levels from windblown dust and ash."

This pollution can embed deep into the lungs and cause health problems including heart disease symptoms, asthma attacks and an increased risk for respiratory infections.

Smokes and flames overwhelm a commercial area during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2025.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Health experts and public officials have urged those impacted by the fires to protect themselves from air pollution carried by these winds by staying indoors, wearing protective equipment when needed and taking steps to purify air in the home.

Click here to learn how to protect yourself.

-ABC News’ Max Golembo

11:22 AM EST

2 arrested for arson in separate incidents

Two people were arrested for arson in separate incidents just outside the fire zone on Wednesday, according to the LAPD.

In one incident, a citizen extinguished a fire in a tree and detained an arson suspect, police said. That suspect admitted to starting the fire because he "liked the smell of burning leaves," police said.

Later Tuesday night, crews responded to reports of a suspect setting trash on fire, police said. The fire was extinguished. That suspect said she set fires because she enjoyed causing "chaos and destruction," police said.

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