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California fires live updates: At least 10 fire-related deaths, medical examiner says

The fire which ignited Thursday afternoon is spreading in the West Hills area.

ByRiley Hoffman, David Brennan, Kevin Shalvey, Nadine El-Bawab, Meredith Deliso, and Leah Sarnoff
Last Updated: January 10, 2025, 12:26 AM EST

At least 10 people are believed to be dead -- with the LA County sheriff saying he expects that number to rise -- as a series of devastating fires grow uncontained across Southern California amid dry and windy conditions, leaving officials scrambling to contain the historic destruction.

Thousands of firefighters are battling at least five sprawling wildfires spread around the Los Angeles area. The largest, the Palisades Fire, in Pacific Palisades, has scorched over 19,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and remains zero percent contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 13,000 acres and zero percent contained. More than 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as the infernos spread.

President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved a federal major disaster declaration for Los Angeles County.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 08, 2025, 5:05 PM EST

More than 1.5 million customers without power in California

More than 1.5 million customers are without power in California, including over 956,000 in Los Angeles County.

A firefighter pulls a hose up to a home while battling the Eaton Fire on Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Jan 08, 2025, 4:52 PM EST

1 person in critical condition

UCLA Hospitals said it treated and released 21 people suffering from fire-related injuries and has admitted one victim who is in critical condition.

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services said it’s treating patients suffering from smoke inhalation, but did not confirm how many.

Flames rise from a structure as the Eaton Fire burns in Pasadena, Calif., Jan. 8, 2025.
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Jan 08, 2025, 4:49 PM EST

Critics Choice Awards postponed

The Critics Choice Awards, which was set to be held on Sunday, has been postponed.

The ceremony will be held on Jan. 26 in Santa Monica.

"This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected," Critics Choice Awards CEO Joey Berlin said in a statement.

Jan 08, 2025, 4:44 PM EST

Palisades Fire spreads to nearly 16,000 acres

The Palisades Fire has spread to 15,832 acres with 0% containment, according to Cal Fire.

The fire has destroyed at least 300 structures, with 13,306 other structures at risk.

The remains of houses along the Pacific Ocean burned by the Palisades wildfire in Malibu, California, Jan. 8, 2025.
Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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