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.
Harris calls fires 'apocalyptic,' warns of looming insurance burdens
During a briefing with President Joe Biden on Thursday, Vice President Kamala Harris shared a message to those affected by the devastating Los Angeles fires, saying the scene is "apocalyptic."
Harris praised firefighters working to contain the slew of fires across the city and noted how the fallout will continue for "months and years to come."
The vice president also called attention to the financial burden of those affected by the fires, saying, "Sadly, many insurance companies have canceled insurance for a lot of the families who have been affected, which is only going to delay or place an added burden on their ability to recover."
Jan 09, 2025, 5:19 PM EST
Where to go for federal assistance
During his remarks Thursday, President Joe Biden pointed those who have lost anything in the fires to visit Disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Thursday also released an assistance guide for those affected by the wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
A man carries a bucket of water as people dig through the rubble of their home that was burnt by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Jan. 9, 2025.
Fred Greaves/Reuters
Jan 09, 2025, 5:00 PM EST
Federal government to cover 100% of disaster response for 180 days
The federal government will cover 100% of the disaster response to the Los Angeles wildfires for 180 days, up from the 75% to 90% that is typically covered, President Joe Biden said Thursday.
Biden said the increase comes following a request by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
"It's going to pay for things like debris and hazard material removal, temporary shelters, first responders, salaries and all necessary measures to protect life and property and folks," Biden said during a briefing.
A home is engulfed in flames during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County, Calif., on Jan. 8, 2025.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
The president vowed to help those impacted by the devastating wildfires.
"You're living through a nightmare, I know," he said. "I promise you, we're going to help you get through this, and eventually recover and rebuild."
Jan 09, 2025, 4:15 PM EST
'Mars would be more habitable than this place,' says homeowner who lost everything
Just 100 yards from the Pacific Ocean, rows and rows of former waterfront mobile homes have been reduced to rubble in the Pacific Palisades. Much of the surrounding hillsides dotted with multimillion-dollar mansions look like scorched earth after the Palisades Fire consumed everything in its path.
“Mars would be more habitable than this place right now so it’s crazy. There’s absolutely nothing,” Shaun, a resident of the Palisades Bowl community, told ABC News.
ABC News' Jaclyn Lee interviews a Pacific Palisades resident, Shaun, whose home was lost in the Palisades Fire.
ABC News
Shaun, who asked that ABC News only use his first name for privacy, came to assess the damage at his home and make sure no looters were prowling around his property. His home was burned to the ground and he wanted to check if his treasured memorabilia survived the flames.
“First thing we had some paperwork, we really didn’t have much other than that. I mean, the memorabilia is what I’m going for. My mom has a Cal Berkeley stein that’s ceramic and maybe it survived the fire,” he said, bursting into tears. “This is really hard. I mean people lost everything.”
When discussing the conerns about looting, Shaun said, “We are the easiest to access.”
Shaun, who asked ABC News not to use his last name, lost his home in the Palisades Fire.
ABC News
“We may not be the $10 million homes up there but the bike path ends here. We’ve heard there’s people on e-bikes coming up here. Nobody stopped us from getting up here and they’re going through people’s property,” he said.
