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California fires live updates: New LA County fire explodes to over 10,000 acres

The Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire also remain active.

Last Updated: January 23, 2025, 8:40 PM GMT

At least 28 people have died as multiple wildfires, fueled by severe drought conditions and strong winds, rage across Southern California.

Thousands of firefighters have been battling wildfires across 45 square miles of densely populated Los Angeles County. The two largest fires, the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, remain active. One of the latest, the Hughes Fire in the Castaic area, has prompted evacuation orders for tens of thousands of people.

ABC News has kicked off "SoCal Strong" (#SoCalStrong), highlighting the impacted communities and offering fundraising opportunities for victims of the fires. The coverage will continue across multiple ABC News programs and platforms.

Jan 23, 5:39 pm

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 23,000 acres and is at 72% 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 95% containment.

Jan 14, 2025, 4:41 PM GMT

Firefighters had 'never seen destruction like this'

LA City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said she and LA Mayor Karen Bass went on an aerial survey of the devastated areas to see the size, scope and complexity of the fires.

The "massive, massive destruction is unimaginable until you actually see it," Bass said. "I think of the families … we are going to continue to stand with you."

A view shows the remains of vehicles and businesses burned in the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, Jan. 11, 2025.
David Ryder/Reuters

Bass said after the aerial tour she spoke to firefighters who've been on the job for decades. She said the firefighters told her they'd "never seen destruction like this" or winds this fierce.

As the fire danger continues, the mayor said residents looking to help first responders can do so by being prepared.

Bass said residents under evacuation warnings, not evacuation orders, should consider leaving their homes when the warning is issued to avoid the traffic jams so many experienced last week.

Jan 14, 2025, 4:26 PM GMT

Next 24 hours will be very dangerous, sheriff warns

The next 24 hours will be very dangerous as high winds blow through the Los Angeles area, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna warned.

Burned properties following the Palisades Fire at the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 13, 2025.
Mike Blake/Reuters

He urged residents to follow evacuation orders, noting that many people who waited until the last minute to evacuate last week suffered significant burns.

"We don’t want you to impact your own life or the life or your loved ones," Luna said.

Patrick O'Neal sifts through his home after it was destroyed by the Palisades wildfire, Jan. 13, 2025, in Malibu, Calif.
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

The sheriff’s department is following 24 missing persons cases, all adults, Luna said. The LAPD said it has 13 active missing persons cases, two of whom are believed to be dead.

No more remains were found when crews searched the hard-hit Altadena area on Monday, the sheriff said.

Jan 14, 2025, 3:46 PM GMT

Wind gusts reach 72 mph overnight

Dangerously high winds that could fuel wildfires are impacting the Los Angeles area Tuesday and Wednesday.

A home destroyed by the Eaton Fire stands in front of a home that survived in Altadena. Calif., Jan. 13, 2025.
Noah Berger/AP

The highest wind gust recorded so far was 72 mph in the western San Gabriel Mountains, which is in northern LA County.

A 50 mph wind gust was recorded in Malibu Hills.

The Palisades Fire leaves total devastation in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jan. 13, 2025.
John Locher/AP

The gusty winds will spread from the mountains into the valleys and the canyons by Tuesday afternoon.

A slight break in the wind is expected Tuesday evening before the rough winds pick back up Wednesday morning.

The winds will stay strong into Wednesday afternoon and then finally begin to relax Wednesday night into Thursday.

Jan 14, 2025, 11:58 AM GMT

'Dangerous' winds to pick up across Los Angeles, Ventura counties

A "particularly dangerous situation" with a red flag warning will go into effect in western Los Angeles County and most of Ventura County on Tuesday, weather officials said, with winds threatening to further fuel historic Southern California wildfires.

The warning begins at 4 a.m. local time. Winds are forecast to gust between 45 mph to 70 mph, with relative humidity as low as 8%.

An ABC News graphic shows the extreme fire risk in Southern California on Jan. 14, 2025.
ABC News

Winds overnight and early on Tuesday have been gusting up to 67 mph in the mountains near Los Angeles. The West San Gabriel Mountains have seen gusts up to 67 mph, with the Central Ventura County Valley hit about 66 mph.

The strongest gusts are expected Tuesday morning and early afternoon, which will then be followed by a break in the evening. More gusty winds are expected Wednesday morning.

-ABC News' Max Golembo

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