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.
The Eaton Fire is burning near the Mount Wilson Observatory, located in the San Gabriel Mountains near Pasadena, and is threatening communications towers in the Angeles National Forest, ABC Los Angeles station KABC's chopper shows.
Mount Wilson Observatory is shown with the advancing Eaton Fire, on Jan. 9. 2025, in Los Angeles County, Calif.
KABC
"As you may have seen on the news, the Eaton fire is approaching Mount Wilson," the Mount Wilson Observatory said in a social media post. "There are firefighters on the grounds but the power is out at the Observatory so communication is limited."
A skeleton crew of four is sheltering in place at the observatory and fire personnel is on the scene, Chief Operating Officer Dan Kohne told KABC. The facility is double-walled so they feel safe, he added.
Mount Wilson Observatory is shown with the advancing Eaton Fire, on Jan. 9. 2025, in Los Angeles County, Calif.
KABC
Jan 09, 2025, 3:00 PM EST
Owner of destroyed Malibu restaurant says they are in 'shock'
Iconic Malibu seafood shack Reel Inn was among the businesses destroyed in the Palisades Fire.
Owner Teddy Leonard told ABC News Live on Thursday that they are still "in a bit of shock" about the loss of the decades-old Malibu fixture.
6:16
Longtime Malibu restaurant the 'Reel Inn' burned down in LA wildfires
Teddy Leonard, owner of Mailbu's Reel Inn, discusses the ongoing Southern California wildfires that burned down her iconic family owned business.
ABCNews.com
"We are devastated for our crew," she said, noting that they have launched a fundraiser to help support the staff. "We also didn't have time to really process the restaurant because we are evacuated. So at the moment, we don't know the condition of our home or if we are going to have one to go back to."
Leonard said her son and sister have lost their homes, though her family is otherwise safe.
"At the end of the day, that's really all that matters," she said. "And I'm glad we created a place for family memories."
Santa Maria Fire truck speeds towards the fire as seen from the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) in the town of Pacific Palisades, on the edge of Malibu, Calif., on Jan. 7, 2025.
Amy Katz/ZUMA Press Wire via Shutterstock
Leonard said they would love to rebuild though it would depend on if they are allowed to, noting they are on a lease from the state parks agency.
"My husband and I would love to and the community has responded in such a fashion that I believe that they would love to have us come back," she said. "Will it be the same? It won't ever be quite the same."
Jan 09, 2025, 1:57 PM EST
Tonight's Lakers game postponed
Thursday night's home Lakers game against the Charlotte Hornets has been postponed "to focus on what matters most today," the Los Angeles team announced.
"We're heartbroken for Los Angeles," the team said in a statement on X. "Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this unimaginable situation."
Jan 09, 2025, 1:56 PM EST
Director Jon Turteltaub on Palisades devastation: 'It's done'
Director and producer Jon Turteltaub spoke to ABC Los Angeles station KABC about the devastation in the Pacific Palisades.
"Cool Runnings" director Jon Turteltaub, from Malibu, Calif., said the Pacific Palisades were totally wiped out by the Palisades Fire, adding, "there is no Pacific Palisades."
KABC
"We spend our lives in the Palisades. There are no Palisades. It's done," the "Cool Runnings" director and Malibu resident told the station on Thursday. "I don't know what you do."
Turteltaub remarked how what's known as the "Alphabet Streets" in the neighborhood were largely leveled.
"Pacific Palisades, right now, could just be taken off the map," he said. "There is no Pacific Palisades."
Aerial view of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood on Jan. 9, 2025.
