Live

California fires live updates: 100,000 evacuate as 5 Los Angeles wildfires blaze

Gov. Gavin Newsom said 7,500 firefighters are deployed to battle the fires.

ByRiley Hoffman, David Brennan, Kevin Shalvey, Nadine El-Bawab, and Meredith Deliso
Last Updated: January 9, 2025, 6:54 AM EST

At least five people are dead and many more are injured 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, as well as several smaller blazes. Thousands of structures have been damaged or destroyed and more than 100,000 people evacuated as uncontrolled infernos spread.

The scale of the damage and disruption wrought in Los Angeles is unprecedented, with state and federal authorities mobilizing to fight the fires and support those forced to flee. 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 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, 4:31 PM EST

'I've never seen the winds in my 25-year career': LA fire chief

During the briefing with President Joe Biden, Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley spoke of how unprecedented this fire event is.

"We knew there was a potential for significant threat to our constituents due to the weather event. High-high-high winds. I've never seen the winds in my 25-year career," Crowley said.

Houses burn as a result of the Eaton wildfire in Altadena, California, Jan. 8, 2025.
Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell echoed that sentiment.

"What we saw here in the last 24 hours is unprecedented. I've never seen anything like this," he said.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone told Biden they are now getting out-of-state resources, specifically from Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. They also have requested 250 more fire engines and 1,000 personnel to help respond, he said.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart

Jan 08, 2025, 4:08 PM EST

Water tankers positioned to protect Griffith Park

Water tankers and rangers are "positioned and ready" to protect Los Angeles' iconic Griffith Park if needed, a park attendant told ABC News.

The park, home to Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood sign, is closed until further notice due to the weather conditions.

Smoke from wildfires hangs in the sky over Griffith Observatory on Jan. 8, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Andy Bao/AP

The Hollywood sign is not in fire danger at the moment, according to Elizabeth Johnson, a member of the Hollywood Sign Trust.

-ABC News' Samira Said

Jan 08, 2025, 3:27 PM EST

NHL postpones tonight's Los Angeles Kings game

The NHL has postponed Wednesday night's game between the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames, which was scheduled to be held at LA's Crypto.com arena, due to the wildfires.

"The thoughts of the entire NHL family are with the Kings, hockey fans and the people of the Los Angeles area during this difficult time," the NHL said in a statement.

A makeup game will be scheduled.

The NFL is also monitoring wildfires ahead of Monday night's NFC wild card game in Los Angeles, ESPN reported.

-ABC News' Karyn Rodus

Jan 08, 2025, 3:14 PM EST

Residents urged to conserve water amid 'tremendous demand'

Residents in Los Angeles were urged to conserve water, as firefighters battle multiple wildfires.

"We had a tremendous demand on our system and the Palisades," Janisse Quiñones, the head of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said during a press briefing Wednesday. "We pushed the system to the extreme."

Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire while it burns homes on the Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on Jan. 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.
Apu Gomes/Getty Images

She said they saw four times the normal demand for 15 hours straight, which lowered the water pressure. Two tanks ran out of water on Tuesday, and a third early Wednesday morning, as firefighters battled the Palisades Fire.

"We were not able to fill the tanks fast enough," Quiñones said.

She said they were sending approximately 20 water tanks to support the fire department.

"If there's a message to take away from me today it's I need our customers to really conserve water -- not just in the Palisades area, but the whole system. Because the fire department needs the water to fight the fires, and we're fighting a wildfire with urban water systems, and that is really challenging," Quiñones said.

Related Topics