California fires updates: Death toll in Los Angeles fires rises to 29

The additional fatality was attributed to the Palisades Fire, officials said.

Last Updated: January 27, 2025, 7:53 PM EST

At least 29 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.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 24, 2:20 pm

Tracking ongoing California wildfires

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 87% 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 13, 2025, 11:44 AM EST

Areas for worst wind conditions this week

The National Weather Service has highlighted these three areas where officials believe there’s the highest chance for explosive fire growth this week. The Hurst Fire is in the highlighted area and the Palisades Fire is near the highlighted area.

National Weather Service in Los Angeles highlighted 3 areas where they think there is the highest chance for potentially explosive fire growth.
ABC News

The extreme fire risk will last from 4 a.m. Tuesday to noon Wednesday.

Winds could climb as high as 45 to 70 mph and humidity could be as low as 8 to 15%.

-ABC News’ Max Golembo

Jan 13, 2025, 11:23 AM EST

Crews finding remains in Altadena: Sheriff

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said he knows displaced residents want to return to their neighborhoods, but he warned, "we are in the third day of grid searching" in Altadena.

"It is a very grim task," he said, noting that every day crews are finding people’s remains.

Members of the California National Guard stand near rising smoke, as the Eaton Fire continues, in Altadena, Calif., Jan. 12, 2025.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Twenty-three people have been reported missing: 17 from the Eaton Fire and six in the Malibu area, the sheriff said.

Jan 13, 2025, 11:20 AM EST

Severe fire conditions to continue through Wednesday

Severe fire weather conditions -- high winds with low humidity -- will continue through Wednesday, keeping the fire threat in all of Los Angeles County critical, LA Fire Chief Anthony Marrone warned at a news conference.

A firefighter sets up a hose while fighting the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Eric Thayer/AP

Amid the "unprecedented disaster," Marrone shared positive news that the Eaton Fire in Altadena didn’t grow at all on Sunday.

The Eaton Fire has damaged or destroyed over 7,000 structures, Marrone said. He said damage inspections for dwellings are 26% completed.

A damaged children's toy sits on the lawn of a devastated home, as the Eaton Fire continues, in Altadena, Calif., Jan. 12, 2025.
Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

The super scooper firefighting plane damaged by a drone last week has been repaired, Marrone said. Crews are waiting for the Federal Aviation Administration to give the OK to send the plane back in the air.

Jan 13, 2025, 9:04 AM EST

Ukraine offers aid

Ukraine may send rescuers to help fight the devastating fires in California, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"The situation there is extremely difficult, and Ukrainians can help Americans save lives," Zelenskyy tweeted. "This is currently being coordinated, and we have offered our assistance to the American side through the relevant channels. 150 of our firefighters are already prepared."

Firefighters from Mexico and Canada have also been deployed to California.

A Mexican military and fire aid team line up to board a plane bound for California to help fight wildfires, at Felipe Angeles International Airport in Zumpango, Mexico, Jan. 11, 2025.
Luis Cortes/Reuters

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