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California fires live updates: 5 dead in LA fires as crews work to control new blaze

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 9, 2025, 9:51 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 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 09, 2025, 12:12 PM EST

Death toll expected to rise

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said he is not able to confidently give an update on additional fatalities at this time, after reporting five deaths in the Eaton Fire on Wednesday.

"At one point, we'll be able to do a more thorough search of these impacted areas, some of them look like a bomb was dropped in them, where we will be able to bring in canines and other things to help us," he said.

A beach house is engulfed in flames as the Palisades Fire burns along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2025.
Agustin Paullier/AFP via Getty Images

Though Luna conceded he does expect the death toll to increase.

"Unfortunately, based on the preliminary information I've seen, at least in the two large fires that we're dealing with on each side of the county, unfortunately, I think the death toll will rise," he said.

Jan 09, 2025, 12:07 PM EST

Utilities 'significantly damaged'

The power, transportation and sewer systems have been "significantly damaged" in the fires, Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella said during the briefing, as they focus on utility restoration.

There is also a "tremendous amount of debris" that needs to be cleared, he said, warning that some debris may be hazardous and toxic.

The sun rises after the Palisades Fire ravaged a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jan. 9, 2025.
Damian Dovarganes/AP

He said the reservoirs are full and "continue to be ready and at the disposal of our firefighting friends," though the municipal water system "continues to suffer poor water quality" due to the ash and debris.

"I would just say, with all caution, anyone who's remained behind, if there is any residence in your area that is burned to the ground and you are still there, you should just go ahead and boil water," he said.

Jan 09, 2025, 11:50 AM EST

Nearly 180,000 under evacuation orders in LA

Nearly 180,000 residents in Los Angeles are under evacuation orders, with nearly 200,000 others under evacuation warnings, authorities said Thursday.

"I cannot emphasize enough that I urge residents that are asked to evacuate to follow our warnings," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said during the press briefing.

Luna warned that not following an evacuation warning is a misdemeanor.

Evacuees from the Palisades fire are seen at an evacuation and shelter center at Westwood Recreation Center in Los Angeles, California, on January 8, 2025.
Agustin Paullier/AFP via Getty Images

Jan 09, 2025, 11:42 AM EST

'Much better posture' on fire response today, chief says

Los Angeles is in "much better posture" to battle the wildfires on Thursday, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said during the briefing.

Firefighters work from a deck as the Palisades Fire burns a beachfront property, Jan. 8, 2025 in Malibu, Calif.
Etienne Laurent/AP

"The number of resources assigned to this fire siege event has increased significantly," she said. "Out-of-state resources continue to arrive in Los Angeles county and city, and we are appreciative to our fire partners from throughout the western United States for providing assistance to Los Angeles County in our time of need."

Crowley said growth of the Eaton Fire has been "significantly stopped," with the fire remaining at 10,600 acres burned.

The Lidia Fire in Acton has been 40% contained and "forward progress has been stopped," she said.

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