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 09, 2025, 5:51 PM EST

Palisades Fire grows to 19,978 acres

The Palisades Fire has grown to 19,978 acres and remains 0% contained, Cal Fire said in an update Thursday.

Approximately 5,316 structures have been destroyed in the fire, based on an aerial survey conducted on Wednesday, Cal Fire said. That makes it the third-most destructive wildfire in California history.

The structures include homes and businesses, as well as smaller structures like RVs and sheds, Cal Fire said.

Flames from the Palisades Fire burn a residential building on Sunset Boulevard amid a powerful windstorm on Jan. 9, 2025, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Apu Gomes/Getty Images

Jan 09, 2025, 5:19 PM EST

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."

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