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.
Vice President Kamala Harris is canceling her foreign trip to Singapore, Bahrain and Germany, according to a statement from Press Secretary Ernesto Apreza.
Harris was set to visit military installations in those countries.
Instead, she will remain in the U.S. to "support the federal response in California" as brush fires continue to spread across Los Angeles County.
Harris was scheduled to leave on Jan. 13 and return on Jan. 17.
-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart
Jan 09, 2025, 7:36 PM EST
Recent LA County evacuation warning alert sent in error
An emergency message telling Los Angeles County residents Thursday afternoon that an evacuation warning had been issued for their area was sent in error, officials said.
The alert was intended for residents near the Kenneth Fire but was mistakenly issued countywide, officials said.
"Recent @ReadyLACounty alert to evacuate was sent in ERROR. Evacuation orders have not changed. See map for actual @LACity evacuation orders for some selected areas, ONLY!" LA City Emergency Management Department tweeted.
The message, sent just before 4 p.m. local time, told residents to "remain vigilant of any threats and be ready to evacuate."
Los Angeles County Fire Department
Jan 09, 2025, 7:28 PM EST
Man died with garden hose in his hand as Eaton Fire raged, family says
Victor Shaw is among those who lost their lives, with his sister Shari Shaw telling ABC News he died in a heroic attempt to defend his home in Altadena. The 66-year-old's body was found in front of the home, a garden hose still in his hand.
"I can't imagine what he might have been thinking, how he might have been so frightened," Shari Shaw said. "And I couldn't be here, I couldn't be here to save him. I couldn't be here, that's what hurts the most."
Victor Shaw died defending his Altadena home from the Eaton Fire, his family said.
The Shaw Family
Shaw lived in the family home since 1965, and had health issues that impacted his mobility.
In Altadena, an area north of Pasadena, the Eaton Fire broke out Tuesday, growing to more than 13,000 acres. Up to 5,000 structures -- including businesses and homes -- have been damaged or destroyed, authorities said.
Jan 09, 2025, 7:12 PM EST
Nearly 800 prisoners now helping to battle Los Angeles fires
As firefighters work to contain the slew of brush fires spreading across Los Angeles County, among the emergency responders on Thursday were nearly 800 incarcerated individuals, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) confirmed to ABC News.
The prisoners, who voluntarily sign up to be a part of the Conservation (Fire) Camps program, are embedded with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection crew members (CalFire).
The participating individuals are paid between $5.80 and $10.24 per day plus $1 an hour when responding to active emergencies, according to CDCR.
A firefighter sprays water on a house to protect it from the Eaton Fire in the Altadena neighborhood, Jan. 8, 2025, in Pasadena, Calif.
Nick Ut/Getty Images
"CDCR Fire Camp Program firefighters are proud to be embedded with CAL FIRE personnel to protect lives, property, and natural resources in Southern California," the law enforcement agency said in a statement.
Incarcerated firefighters have been working "around the clock" cutting fire lines and removing fuel from behind structures to slow fire spread, according to the agency, which called the program a source of "crucial support" during emergencies.
The exact number of hours the incarcerated crew members have worked since brush fires erupted in Los Angeles on Tuesday was not immediately clear.
