California Fires Live Updates: Death Toll Rises as Blazes Rage Across Southern California
Nearly a dozen fatalities have been reported, with Los Angeles County Sheriff’s officials warning the number is expected to rise. The devastating wildfires, fueled by dry and windy conditions, continue to wreak havoc across Southern California, overwhelming firefighters and causing widespread destruction.
Key Details:
- Fatalities & Evacuations: At least 11 deaths have been reported, with over 100,000 residents under evacuation orders.
- Major Fires:
- Palisades Fire: Over 21,000 acres burned, thousands of structures destroyed, and containment at 8%.
- Eaton Fire: Spread across more than 13,000 acres in Altadena, with containment at just 3%.
- Other Developments:
- Evacuation Updates: A new evacuation order for the Palisades Fire includes areas from the Encino Reservoir to Sunset Boulevard and between Mandeville Canyon and the 405 Freeway.
- Disruptions: The LA Clippers game has been postponed, and LA County is investigating erroneous evacuation alerts sent to millions.
- Human Stories: A firefighter uncovered a wedding ring in the rubble, offering a glimmer of hope amid tragedy.
Political Response:
California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an independent investigation into water supply failures that have hindered firefighting efforts. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles mayor’s office has denied reports of the LAFD chief being dismissed.
Tune In:
David Muir hosts a special edition of 20/20 titled “American Catastrophe: LA Burning,” airing tonight at 9/8c on ABC, with continuing coverage of this disaster.
Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops.
Previously, these areas were under an evacuation warning, advising residents to stay alert and ready to evacuate if conditions worsened.
LA Clippers Game Postponed Due to Wildfires
The LA Clippers' Saturday game against the Charlotte Hornets at Intuit Dome has been postponed because of the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles.
The venue confirmed that next week’s games at Intuit Dome—against the Miami Heat on Jan. 13 and the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 15—will proceed as scheduled.
LA County Investigating Erroneous Evacuation Alert Sent to Millions
LA County officials are investigating why an evacuation order intended for residents near the Kenneth Fire in West Hills mistakenly reached nearly 10 million residents across the county on Thursday.
The county’s Emergency Operations Center stated that while an accurate and targeted alert was sent around 4 p.m. local time, the alert was erroneously distributed far beyond the intended area. Testing is now underway by the software company responsible for the alert system, and safeguards have been added to prevent similar errors.
Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are investigating why repeat alerts, or "echoes," continued to appear on phones countywide, heightening panic amidst the destructive wildfires.
Calling the incident a "serious breach of public trust," the county announced that, for now, the state’s Office of Emergency Services will handle public alerts.
LA Mayor’s Office Denies Report of Fire Chief’s Dismissal
The Los Angeles Mayor’s office refuted reports that LA Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley had been fired or resigned.
"The Mayor and Chief met. The priority remains fighting these fires and protecting Angelenos," said a statement from Mayor Karen Bass’s office.
This clarification follows rumors sparked by a published report claiming Crowley was dismissed. Although Crowley has appeared alongside the mayor at press conferences, she recently criticized city leadership regarding fire department funding in multiple media interviews.
Palisades Fire Flare-Up in Santa Monica Mountains Escalates
A flare-up in the Palisades Fire within the Santa Monica mountains forced firefighters to retreat as flames neared critical equipment.
Footage captured by KABC’s news helicopter showed the intense flames approaching and seemingly overtaking fire department vehicles near two helispots—designated areas for helicopters to land, take off, and refuel.
According to KABC, the flare-up did not pose an immediate threat to any homes, and no new evacuation orders were issued.
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