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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.

ByKevin Shalvey, David Brennan, Emily Shapiro, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: January 15, 2025, 11:30 AM 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.

3:15 AM EST

Pacific Palisades residents sue Los Angeles

A group of Pacific Palisades residents and businesses impacted by the Palisades Fire has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles against the city's Department of Water and Power, alleging that the city and its agency were unprepared for the Palisades Fire.

A burned car is seen among the wreckage of a home destroyed by the Palisades Fire, on Jan. 14, 2025, in Malibu, California.
Ethan Swope/AP

"Plaintiffs are informed and believe that the water supply system servicing areas in and around Pacific Palisades on the date of the Palisades Fire failed, and that this failure was a substantial factor in causing plaintiffs to suffer the losses alleged," the lawsuit said.

"Further, despite dire warnings by the National Weather Service of a 'Particularly Dangerous Condition -- Red Flag Warning' of 'critical fire weather' which had the potential for rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior, the LADWP was unprepared for the Palisades Fire," the suit added.

The suit was filed in the California Superior Court on Monday and seeks damages for the costs, repair and replacement of damaged or destroyed property; cost for alternative living expenses; loss of wages, earning capacity or profits and any other relief a court deems appropriate.

-ABC News' James Hill

Jan 14, 2025, 10:47 PM EST

LA medical examiner issues correction after reporting 25th fire victim

At least 25 people have died in the Los Angeles fires, the LA County Medical Examiner clarified Tuesday night.

The medical examiner issued a correction just hours after it had announced a 25th victim. In its update, the office explained that what it had counted as an additional death from the Eaton Fire was determined to be non-human remains.

Shortly after, the medical examiner reported an additional death from the Palisades Fire, bringing the total back to 25.

There have been at least 16 victims from the Eaton Fire and nine victims from the Palisades Fire.

Jan 14, 2025, 9:40 PM EST

Palisades Fire now 18% contained

The Palisades Fire, which has spread 23,713 acres, is 18% contained as of Tuesday evening, according to Cal Fire.

Jan 14, 2025, 7:40 PM EST

Death toll from Los Angeles fires rises to 25

The LA County Medical Examiner's Office said the suspected death toll from the Los Angeles fires now stands at 25.

Of the deaths, 17 are linked to the Eaton Fire in the Altadena area and eight are linked to the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, the medical examiner's office said in an update Tuesday.

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