California fires live updates: At least 10 fire-related deaths, medical examiner says
The fire which ignited Thursday afternoon is spreading in the West Hills area.
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.
Key Headlines
- Firefighters stop forward progress of Kenneth Fire
- New satellite images show extent of LA wildfire devastation
- Recent LA County evacuation warning alert sent in error
- Kenneth Fire grows to nearly 1,000 acres with 0% containment
- Federal government to cover 100% of disaster response for 180 days
- Eaton Fire burns near Mount Wilson Observatory
- LA mayor dodges question on criticism over trip to Ghana, budget cuts
LA district attorney addresses looting, scams: 'You will absolutely be punished'
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman had a message for those considering taking "criminal advantage" of the devastating wildfire event through looting or scams.
"If you think for a moment that you can take advantage of this right now or over the next weeks, months or years, you are wrong," Hochman told ABC Los Angeles station KABC on Wednesday. "If you go ahead and you want to loot, if you want to steal, if you want to engage in scams on vulnerable people who have just lost their house and their businesses, we're going to arrest you, we're going to prosecute you and you will absolutely be punished."
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department already arrested two individuals for looting Wednesday morning, the district attorney said.
"Again, the thought that they would want to take advantage of people in their most vulnerable situation when they've just lost a house or business, when they're literally evacuating for their lives, is despicable," Hochman told the station.
More than 1.5 million customers without power in California
More than 1.5 million customers are without power in California, including over 956,000 in Los Angeles County.
1 person in critical condition
UCLA Hospitals said it treated and released 21 people suffering from fire-related injuries and has admitted one victim who is in critical condition.
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services said it’s treating patients suffering from smoke inhalation, but did not confirm how many.
Critics Choice Awards postponed
The Critics Choice Awards, which was set to be held on Sunday, has been postponed.
The ceremony will be held on Jan. 26 in Santa Monica.
"This unfolding tragedy has already had a profound impact on our community. All our thoughts and prayers are with those battling the devastating fires and with all who have been affected," Critics Choice Awards CEO Joey Berlin said in a statement.