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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, 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.

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.

11:17 AM EST

Critical fire weather conditions continuing through Wednesday evening

There’s been little to no fire growth at both the Eaton and Palisades fires over the last 24 hours, Cal Fire Incident Commander Gerry Magaña said.

But critical fire weather conditions will continue through Wednesday evening, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone warned.

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

Winds reached 30 to 40 mph overnight, LA City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said. Powerful 70 mph winds haven’t happened yet but are possible, Marrone said.

10:13 AM EST

Eaton Fire containment jumps to 45%

The Eaton Fire, which decimated home after home in Altadena, is 45% contained Wednesday morning.

With 7,000 structures damaged or destroyed, the Eaton Fire is the second-most destructive fire ever in California and the most destructive ever in Los Angeles.

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

At least 16 people have died from the Eaton Fire, making it the fifth deadliest in the state's history.

3:27 AM EST

Newsom executive order targets 'greedy speculators'

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Tuesday intended "to protect firestorm victims in the Los Angeles area from predatory land speculators making aggressive and unsolicited cash offers to purchase their property," his office said in a statement.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom visits the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 8, 2025.
Daniel Cole/Reuters

"Taking advantage of the disaster and associated trauma, these predatory and exploitative practices endanger the financial well-being and security of vulnerable victims," the governor's office said, vowing "stronger enforcement and prosecution" of those engaging in such activity.

"As families mourn, the last thing they need is greedy speculators taking advantage of their pain," Newsom said in a statement.

"I have heard first-hand from community members and victims who have received unsolicited and predatory offers from speculators offering cash far below market value -- some while their homes were burning," Newsom added.

"We will not allow greedy developers to rip off these working-class communities at a time when they need more support than ever before."

-ABC News' Marilyn Heck

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