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, 12:35 PM EST

Los Angeles 'not prepared for this type of widespread disaster'

Los Angeles County and all 29 fire departments in the county "are not prepared for this type of widespread disaster," despite officials prepositioning resources from northern California, according to LA County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone.

"There are not enough firefighters in LA County to address four separate fires of this magnitude," Marrone said.

"The LA County Fire Department was prepared for one or two major brush fires, but not four -- especially given the sustained winds and low humidities. Like our director of emergency management said, this is not a normal red flag alert," Marrone said.

Jan 08, 2025, 11:39 AM EST

Officials urge residents to follow evacuation orders

California officials urged residents to follow evacuation orders to keep themselves and first responders out of danger as the fires continue to grow.

"There is nothing worth your life," LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a press conference Wednesday.

A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire while it burns homes at Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on Jan. 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Apu Gomes/Getty Images

Officials said there has been a high number of injuries among those who did not follow evacuation orders.

Jan 08, 2025, 11:32 AM EST

Palisades Fire spreads to 5,000 acres

The Palisades Fire has spread to 5,000 acres with 0% of the fire contained.

At least 1,000 structures are estimated to have been destroyed in the fire.

A view of the Palisades fire from a plane, Jan. 7, 2025, in this picture obtained from social media.
Mark Viniello via Reuters

Jan 08, 2025, 11:19 AM EST

2 dead, over 1,000 structures destroyed across LA County

Two civilians are dead and there have been a high number of injuries due to the Eaton Fire, LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a press conference Wednesday.

The cause of death for the two people has not yet been determined.

There have also been about 100 structures destroyed in the Eaton Fire. The cause of the fire is currently unknown and it is under investigation.

Residents of a senior center are evacuated as the Eaton Fire approaches, Jan. 7, 2025, in Altadena, Calif.
Ethan Swope/AP

Meanwhile, an estimated 1,000 structures have been destroyed in the Palisades Fire, which has grown to 5,000 acres, officials said.

While there are no known deaths, officials said there were injuries due to the fire.

"When they ask you to evacuate, evacuate. This is not a drill," Kathryn Barger, the LA County chair supervisor, said at the press conference.

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