APPLENEWS - STORY ADD
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.
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
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.
New Santa Ana winds threaten to spread wildfires
Another round of Santa Ana winds is forecast to sweep into Los Angeles on Thursday night into Friday morning, putting most of the region under a critical fire risk, as emergency responders battle to contain five quickly spreading wildfires.
The wind in the region relaxed overnight as the low pressure, which was helping enhance the wind, is moving away into Texas.
But high pressure is building from the north and that will help to tighten the pressure gradient over Southern California, producing more gusty winds.
Red flag and high wind warnings have been issued through Friday afternoon for wind gusts 40 to 60 mph, with 70 mph possible in the mountains.
Relative humidity could drop to as low as 5% for Southern California.
Because of the dry and windy conditions anticipated, a critical fire risk has been issued for much of the area for the next 24 hours.
-ABC News' Max Golembo
Pasadena warns against using tap water in evacuated areas
Authorities in Pasadena warned residents not to use tap water in evacuated areas for drinking or cooking "until further notice."
Northern parts of the city have been evacuated due to the nearby Eaton Fire, which as of early Thursday had grown to 10,600 acres with no containment.
"This adds Pasadena to the list of water warnings that already includes anyone in Pacific Palisades and parts of Malibu," city authorities said in a post to X.
-ABC News' Jeffrey Cook
Wildfires create 'unhealthy air quality,' California says
The wildfires ravaging Southern California are "causing unhealthy air quality conditions," according to a warning issued by the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.
"If you are impacted, stay indoors and wear a mask if you must go outside," the office said in a post to X. "Close all windows, doors and vents."
The government-run AirNow website showed a concentration of unhealthy air over the Los Angeles area as of early Thursday morning, where five major wildfires are currently burning.
7,500 firefighters now deployed to battle fires, Newsom says
More than 7,500 firefighters had been deployed to battle the series of wildfires in California as of Wednesday night, Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a post to X.
Firefighting personnel are "working with local and federal partners to respond to California's ongoing historic wildfires," he said.
"Southern California residents -- please remain vigilant tonight," Newsom added. "Listen to local officials and be ready to evacuate if you're near impacted areas."