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California fires live updates: New fire erupts in Hollywood Hills

Five fires are burning around LA County, prompting sweeping evacuations.

ByRiley Hoffman, David Brennan, Kevin Shalvey, Nadine El-Bawab, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: January 9, 2025, 3:53 AM EST

At least five people are dead and many more injured as several fires broke out across Southern California amid historically dry and windy conditions.

Thousands of firefighters are battling at least five major wildfires dotted around the Los Angeles area, as well as several smaller blazes. Thousands of structures have been damaged or destroyed and more than 100,000 people evacuated.

Key Headlines

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 9, 3:40 am

Tracking active Southern California wildfires

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection listed five major active wildfires spread around the Los Angeles area as of Wednesday night.

The Palisades Fire began in the Pacific Palisades area of the city on Tuesday. It has so far burned 17,234 acres and is at 0% containment. More than 1,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed.

The Eaton Fire north of Pasedna began on Tuesday. It expanded to 10,600 acres and is at 0% containment. Up to 500 structures have been damaged or destroyed.

The Hurst Fire in Sylmar, northwest of San Fernando, began on Tuesday and has burned 855 acres. It is at 10% containment.

The Lidia Fire erupted on Wednesday on the northwest edge of the Angeles National Forest. It has grown to 348 acres and is at 40% containment.

The Sunset Fire broke out above West Hollywood on Wednesday. It is at 43 acres and 0% containment.

Jan 08, 2025, 1:27 PM EST

Nearly 2 dozen school districts close due to fires

Twenty-two of Los Angeles County's 80 school districts are closed Wednesday due to fires and weather conditions in the region, according to the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Sparks fly from the wheel of a burned school bus as the Eaton Fire moves through the area on Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, Calif.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

These school districts are reporting closures, according to the office:

  • Alhambra Unified School District
  • Arcadia Unified School District
  • Azusa Unified School District
  • Baldwin Park Unified School District
  • Bonita Unified School District
  • Burbank Unified School District
  • Duarte Unified School District
  • El Monte City School District
  • Glendale Unified School District
  • Glendora Unified School District
  • La Canada Unified School District
  • Las Vírgenes School District
  • Monrovia Unified School District
  • Mountain View School District
  • Pasadena Unified School District
  • Rosemead School District
  • San Gabriel Unified School District
  • San Marino Unified School District
  • Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District
  • South Pasadena Unified School District
  • Temple City Unified School District
  • Valle Lindo School District

Additionally, several schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District are closed, officials said.

Jan 08, 2025, 1:23 PM EST

Newsom cancels trip to Carter's funeral

California Gov. Gavin Newsom canceled his trip to Washington D.C., for former President Jimmy Carter's memorial service amid the continued spread of multiple fires in Southern California.

President Joe Biden spoke to Newsom by phone on Wednesday to "receive the latest update on the wildfires across Los Angeles." Biden is still expected to get a briefing later from Cal Fire officials.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell also spoke with Newsom to get an update on the wildfires, according to a FEMA spokesperson. FEMA's regional office in California is in constant communication with California Office of Emergency Services and the agency has deployed a FEMA liaison to their offices as the agency continues to monitor the situation closely.

The regional administrator for FEMA Region IX approved Fire Management Assistance Grants for the Palisades Fire to support the state with the control of the fires.

Jan 08, 2025, 1:04 PM EST

Vice President Harris' LA neighborhood under evacuation order

Vice President Kamala Harris' Los Angeles neighborhood is under an evacuation order, according to her office.

No one was in the home at the time, Ernie Apreza, a spokesperson for her office, said.

"She and the Second Gentleman are praying for the safety of their fellow Californians, the heroic first responders, and Secret Service personnel," Apreza said on X.

Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, own a home in Brentwood, which Emhoff purchased in 2012 for $2.7 million.

-ABC News' Molly Nagle

Jan 08, 2025, 12:56 PM EST

Actor Steve Guttenberg says he's moving cars to allow fire trucks in

Actor Steve Guttenberg told "GMA3" he's been moving abandoned vehicles to allow fire trucks in as the fire ravages the Pacific Palisades.

"It's like a parking lot," Guttenberg said. "When people abandon their cars, you've got to leave your keys in there, so guys like me can move them."

Actor Steve Guttenberg speaks on "GMA3" about the fires in California on Jan. 8, 2025.
ABC

Guttenberg said he's been staying at a friend's house, where they have no electricity but is otherwise "doing OK."

"It's just the biggest fire I've ever seen in my life," Guttenberg said. "I got a lot of smoke in my lungs."

While in the Palisades on Tuesday, he said it looked like there was a "volcano" on the sides of the hills.

"Now I never think I'm going to die, but this is one of those moments where I said, 'Oh man, these could be the place I'm going to go,'" he said.

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