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California fires live updates: Palisades Fire one of most destructive in LA history

Progress is being made with some of the wildfires.

ByRiley Hoffman, David Brennan, Kevin Shalvey, Nadine El-Bawab, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: January 9, 2025, 5:00 PM EST

At least five 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 17,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and remains zero percent contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 10,000 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.
7:13 AM EST

New Santa Ana winds threaten to spread wildfires

Another round of Santa Ana winds is forecast to sweep into Los Angeles on Thursday night into Friday morning, putting most of the region under a critical fire risk, as emergency responders battle to contain five quickly spreading wildfires.

An ABC News graphic shows the fire forecast in Southern California on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
ABC News

The wind in the region relaxed overnight as the low pressure, which was helping enhance the wind, is moving away into Texas.

But high pressure is building from the north and that will help to tighten the pressure gradient over Southern California, producing more gusty winds.

Red flag and high wind warnings have been issued through Friday afternoon for wind gusts 40 to 60 mph, with 70 mph possible in the mountains.

Relative humidity could drop to as low as 5% for Southern California.

Because of the dry and windy conditions anticipated, a critical fire risk has been issued for much of the area for the next 24 hours.

-ABC News' Max Golembo

5:52 AM EST

Pasadena warns against using tap water in evacuated areas

Authorities in Pasadena warned residents not to use tap water in evacuated areas for drinking or cooking "until further notice."

This photo shows a destroyed building in Pasadena, California, on Jan. 8, 2025.
Zaydee Sanchez/Reuters

Northern parts of the city have been evacuated due to the nearby Eaton Fire, which as of early Thursday had grown to 10,600 acres with no containment.

"This adds Pasadena to the list of water warnings that already includes anyone in Pacific Palisades and parts of Malibu," city authorities said in a post to X.

-ABC News' Jeffrey Cook

5:14 AM EST

Wildfires create 'unhealthy air quality,' California says

The wildfires ravaging Southern California are "causing unhealthy air quality conditions," according to a warning issued by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

"If you are impacted, stay indoors and wear a mask if you must go outside," the office said in a post to X. "Close all windows, doors and vents."

The government-run AirNow website showed a concentration of unhealthy air over the Los Angeles area as of early Thursday morning, where five major wildfires are currently burning.

3:53 AM EST

7,500 firefighters now deployed to battle fires, Newsom says

More than 7,500 firefighters had been deployed to battle the series of wildfires in California as of Wednesday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a post to X.

Firefighters operate as smoke and flames rise from the Sunset Fire in the hills overlooking the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 8, 2025.
David Swanson/Reuters

Firefighting personnel are "working with local and federal partners to respond to California's ongoing historic wildfires," he said.

"Southern California residents -- please remain vigilant tonight," Newsom added. "Listen to local officials and be ready to evacuate if you're near impacted areas."

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