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.
Firefighters are reporting progress on the massive Pacific Palisades fire that has spread nearly 20,000 acres on Thursday.
The Palisades Fire is 6% contained as of 6:30 p.m. local time, according to Cal Fire.
Jan 09, 2025, 8:58 PM EST
Kenneth Fire grows to nearly 1,000 acres with 0% containment
In this screen grab from a video, the Kenneth Fire is shown in Los Angeles County, Calif., on Jan. 9, 2025.
KABC
The Kenneth Fire in West Hills has quickly grown to nearly 1,000 acres since igniting Thursday afternoon, officials said.
An evacuation order has been issued for the area due to the "rapidly moving wildfire," the Los Angeles City Fire Department said.
"We are expecting this fire to rapidly spread due to high winds," LA Mayor Karen Bass said at an evening news conference. "This is a reminder that this is a very dynamic situation that can change quickly."
In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, the Kenneth fire approaches homes in the Calabasas area of Los Angeles County, Calif., Jan. 9, 2025.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images
"Please act swiftly, move quickly, evacuate now," LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said.
A number of fires are still burning throughout the LA area, including the massive Pacific Palisades and Eaton Fires, which have torn through thousands of acres, destroying buildings and leading to at least five deaths.
Jan 09, 2025, 8:38 PM EST
'If you're told to evacuate, get the hell out,' Sen. Adam Schiff says
Sen. Adam Schiff shared a sobering message with residents of Los Angeles County during a Thursday press briefing: "If you're told to evacuate, then get the hell out."
"You might think you can outrun a fire. You are not going to outrun these fires. You're just not the way they are moving, the unpredictability of how they're moving, the swiftness with how they're moving, you are not going to outrun these fires," the Democratic senator said.
Adding to the stern warning, Schiff said, "If you stay, you're going to die in them, and it's not worth it. So if you're told to evacuate, get the hell out. Save yourselves. You can rebuild, because we are going to rebuild."
