Wildfires continued to rage over more than 27,000 acres in Southern California as crews battled the blazes and more than 150,000 people evacuated.
At least five people have been killed, countless are hurt and more than 1,000 structures are in ruin as the blazes devastate Southern California. The Palisades Fire is now the most destructive in Los Angeles history.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called on residents to “conserve water to the extent that you can” as firefighters battle the historic blaze.
“But make no mistake, Los Angeles will rebuild stronger than ever,” she said.
A new blaze erupted in Hollywood Hills on Wednesday night, prompting even more evacuation orders in the area. That fire has burned more than ten acres so far.
The Palisades Fire is now more than 15,000 acres, while the Eaton Fire has scorched some 10,600 acres.
The fires have forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, including more than 60,000 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. More than 450,000 people are without power throughout the region, according to PowerOutage.us.
Homes have been destroyed across the LA area, including those owned by several celebrities.
Key Points
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Mayor Karen Bass speaks on devastating fires: ‘Los Angeles will rebuild’
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New blaze sparked in Hollywood Hills
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California wildfire death toll: Five people killed as more than 150,000 evacuate
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Some 1.5 million California customers are now without power
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Palisades and Eaton fires both at zero percent containment
Adam Brody, Leighton Meester and Diane Warren among celebrities whose homes burned in LA fire
05:01 , Kevin E G Perry
Diane Warren, Anna Faris, and Adam Brody and his wife Leighton Meester are among the many celebrities to have reportedly lost their homes in the wildfires still burning across Los Angeles.
The fires have also led to the suspension of multiple television productions.
Read more:
Adam Brody, Leighton Meester and Diane Warren among stars to lose homes in LA fire
Trump blames Governor Newsom for fires and criticizes him over failure to sign fake document
04:45 , Katie Hawkinson
President-elect Donald Trump has baselessly claimed Governor Gavin Newsom is to blame for the California fires because he failed to sign a “water restoration declaration.”
However, such a document does not exist.
Trump wrote on Truth Social that Newsom “refused to sign the water restoration declaration,” which he claims would have “allowed millions of gallons of water, from excess rain and snow melt from the North, to flow daily into many parts of California.”
“I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA,” Trump wrote. “He is the blame for this. On top of it all, no water for fire hydrants, not firefighting planes. A true disaster!”
There is no such thing as a “water restoration declaration,” Izzy Gordon, Newsom’s communications director, told CalMatters on Wednesday. Gordon went on to call the claim “pure fiction.”
Watch live: New fire erupts in Hollywood Hills as mandatory evacuations ordered
04:30 , Katie Hawkinson
LAPD helps direct Hollywood evacuation traffic
04:15 , Katie Hawkinson
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has directed the city’s police department to help direct heavy evacuation traffic out of Hollywood.
“We are deploying LAPD officers to respond to Hollywood to help alleviate evacuation traffic,” Bass wrote on X. “We are working urgently to close roads, redirect traffic and expand access for LAFD vehicles to respond to the growing fire.”
The Hollywood Hills blaze sparked this afternoon, city officials said late Wednesday.
All Los Angeles Unified School District schools closed on Thursday
04:00 , Katie Hawkinson
All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District will be closed Thursday amid the fires devastating Southern California.
“As the Los Angeles region continues responding to this unprecedented crisis, the health and safety of our students and employees are of the utmost importance,” the district said in a statement. “All Los Angeles Unified schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 9. The confluence of factors – wind, fire, and smoke – have created dangerous, complex situations that present unsafe conditions for our school communities. Select essential personnel will be contacted by their supervisors regarding potential work duties.”
Paris Hilton’s Malibu home burns down
03:45 , Katie Hawkinson
Paris Hilton’s Malibu, California home burned down amid the devastating wildfires on Wednesday.
“Heartbroken beyond words,” Hilton wrote on X. “Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience.”
Several other celebrities — including Adam Brody, Leighton Meester and Diane Warren — have also lost their homes to the blazes.
Heartbroken beyond words 💔 Sitting with my family, watching the news, and seeing our home in Malibu burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience.😢 This home was where we built so many precious memories. It’s where Phoenix took his first steps… pic.twitter.com/aeJAgJrymA
— Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) January 9, 2025
President Biden cancels final foreign trip of presidency to focus on California fire response
03:30 , Katie Hawkinson
President Joe Biden has canceled his upcoming trip to Italy to ensure he can focus on the federal response to the devastating California wildfires, Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Wednesday evening.
It was set to be the final foreign trip of his presidency.
“After returning this evening from Los Angeles, where earlier today he had met with police, fire and emergency personnel fighting the historic fires raging in the area and approved a Major Disaster declaration for California, President Biden made the decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead,” she said in a statement.
New blaze sparked in Hollywood Hills
03:15 , Katie Hawkinson
Yet another wildfire has broken out in southern California, this time in the Hollywood Hills area. The fire is quickly spreading and has already prompted new evacuation orders.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley announced the new blaze during a Wednesday evening news conference.
“I don’t have a lot of information,” Crowley said.
“I can tell you we’re throwing all of our available resources at it as we speak,” she added.
The blaze has burned at least 10 acres as of Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Five football fields a minute: How a perfect storm of extreme weather set off Los Angeles wildfires
03:00 , Justin Rohrlich
Tens of thousands of Southern California residents have evacuated their homes as multiple wildfires continue to devastate the area, abandoning vehicles, property, and other possessions in their haste to escape the flames now spreading at a rate of about five football fields per minute.
In all, more than 27,000 acres have been scorched by the flames, and at least five people have been killed.
“The smoke is a toxic soup,” Brian Rice, president of the statewide California Professional Firefighters union said on Wednesday, imploring tourists to stay out of the vicinity. “It’s not just the brush that’s burning, but homes are burning. Homes contain plastics that are built from petrochemical compounds. If you do not have to be in that area and breathe that environment in, don’t. It’s dangerous.”
Read more:
Five football fields a minute: A perfect storm of extreme weather set off LA fires
‘All Gone’: Actor James Woods breaks down in tears recounting destruction of home in California fire
02:45 , Katie Hawkinson
Actor James Woods cried Wednesday while recounting the destruction of his home by the deadly California wildfires raging through the Los Angeles area.
Woods, 77, told CNN he lost his home in California’s Pacific Palisades neighborhood as devastating wildfires ripped through the region. Woods said his wife’s 8-year-old niece offered up her piggy bank to help rebuild their home.
“One day you’re swimming in the pool and the next day it’s all gone,” Woods said as tears came to his eyes.
Keep reading:
‘All Gone’: Actor James Woods breaks down in tears talking of home destroyed by fire
At least three arrested for looting in Los Angeles area
02:21 , Katie Hawkinson
Police have made three looting arrests amid the devastating wildfires, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said on Wednesday evening.
“Sometimes we talk about the looting and people who aren’t listening,” Luna said. “I’m going to tell you, 99% of the people are listening, and I think that’s why hopefully the injuries and fatalities and all those ugly things will stay down.”
Several states provide help to California, LA fire official says
01:38 , Katie Hawkinson
Firefighting units from Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona are responding to the Southern California wildfires, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.
The fires are under active investigation.
“The cause of the fire is unknown and under active investigation by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the US Forest Service arson investigators,” Marrone said. “And the moment we learn the cause of this fire, we will advise the media.”
Several states provide help to California, LA fire official says
01:36 , Katie Hawkinson
Firefighting units from Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Utah and Arizona are responding to the Southern California wildfires, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.
The fires are under active investigation.
“The cause of the fire is unknown and under active investigation by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the US Forest Service arson investigators,” Marrone said. “And the moment we learn the cause of this fire, we will advise the media.”
More than 1,700 firefighters battling Palisades Fire
01:28 , Katie Hawkinson
Some 1,700 firefighters are battling the Palisades Fire, considered the most destructive blaze in Los Angeles’s history, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said moments ago.
“I want to be very, very clear that this incident is very, very dynamic as we speak,” Crowley said. “The good news: the winds have subsided a bit enough to allow our fixed-wing and rotor-wing aircraft to provide critical air support to this fire.”
Palisades and Eaton fires both at zero percent containment
01:26 , Katie Hawkinson
The Palisades and Eaton fires, which together have burned more than 25,000 acres, are both at 0% containment, according to CalFire.
More than 150,000 people in the Los Angeles area are under evacuation orders as of Wednesday night. More than 1,000 structures have been destroyed, and the Palisades Fire is now considered the most destructive in Los Angeles’s history.
Mayor Karen Bass speaks on devastating fires: ‘Los Angeles will rebuild’
01:21 , Katie Hawkinson
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is providing an update this evening on the devastating wildfires in Southern California.
“Conserve water to the extent that you can,” Bass said. “We want to make sure that we are ready if we need more water.
“But make no mistake, Los Angeles will rebuild stronger than ever,” she continued.
Everyone should stay away from the areas impacted by the blaze, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Member Kathryn Barger.
“If you do not need to be in the area and you’ve been evacuated, please heed the evacuation warning, and if you don’t live in the area, please stay away,” she said. “I was shocked to see people walking around that don’t live up there, that are just taking a look at what’s going on. We have firefighters and first responders that are trying to do their job, and it’s important for us to all support them and make sure that we provide space so that they can get it done.”
700+ firefighters face Eaton blaze
01:13 , Katie Hawkinson
Some 750 firefighters are battling the Eaton Fire, Pasadena Fire Department Chief Chad Augustin said on Wednesday evening.
Planes are also dropping water to prevent additional spread, and firefighters are optimistic weather conditions will work in their favor in the coming days, he said.
Pasadena mayor, fire officials provide updates
01:06 , Katie Hawkinson
Victor Gordo, mayor of Pasadena, said over 100,000 people are under evacuation orders and 100,000 people have been warned they’re in the danger zone, meaning they should evacuate as soon as possible.
“We have hundreds of homes that have been destroyed,” Gordo said, explaining that the city’s biggest challenge will be finding shelter for those displaced.
The Eaton fire is also draining water resources from the area, Pasadena Fire Department Chief Chad Augustin said, with winds and power outages also contributing to the blazes.
Eaton has burned more than 10,600 acres, he added.
Another round of Santa Ana winds may come early
00:45 , Katie Hawkinson
Another round of Santa Ana winds is expected to arrive as early as Thursday afternoon following a brief break tonight, according to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service.
Gusts of up to 70 mph are possible in the mountains.
Learn how the Santa Ana winds are fueling California’s destructive wildfires this week from The Independent’s Rhian Lubin:
What are the Santa Ana winds that are fueling fires across Southern California?
Biden used LA fire briefing to tell the ‘good news’ of becoming a great-grandfather. It didn’t sit well with MAGAworld
00:30 , Katie Hawkinson
President Joe Biden is being blasted after he tried to inject a bit of levity into a briefing on the California widlfires by announcing he had become a great-grandfather.
However, the comment didn’t land and was condemned online given the disaster that was unfolding just miles away.
After noting that he’d received word that the home of his son Hunter — who is dad to new mom Naomi — had initially been believed to have burned down in the fire but was actually still standing, Biden revealed that he was now a proud great-grandfather, even as he appeared to be unsure of his grandchild’s gender at first.
Read more
Crews struggle to extinguish flames due to lack of water access
00:15 , Katie Hawkinson
A lack of water access has complicated firefighters’ ability to extinguish the wildfires devastating Southern California this week.
“A firefight with multiple fire hydrants drawing water from the system for several hours is unsustainable,” Mark Pestrella, the director of Los Angeles County Public Works, said.
However, the shortage isn’t due to a lack of water itself — but rather the delivery of the water, experts told CNN.
Hydrants throughout the Pacific Palisades, for example, went dry due to low water pressure early Wednesday after firefighters drew heavily from the city’s three major water tanks to battle the blazes, CNN reports.
“Those tanks help with the pressure on the fire hydrants in the hills in the Palisades, and because we were pushing so much water in our (main supply line), and so much water was being used … we were not able to fill the tanks fast enough,” Janisse Quiñones, chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, said “The consumption of water was faster than we can provide water in a (main) line.”
Actors Cary Elwes and Lisa Marie Elwes lose home
Wednesday 8 January 2025 23:45 , Katie Hawkinson
Actors Cary Elwes and Lisa Marie Elwes have lost their southern California home amid the devastating wildfires scorching the Los Angeles area.
President Biden tells California residents, ‘We are with you’
Wednesday 8 January 2025 23:34 , Katie Hawkinson
President Joe Biden took to social media on Wednesday to offer his support for those impacted by the California wildfires.
“Over 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate communities impacted by the Southern California wildfires,” Biden wrote on X. “At least two people have been killed. And many more are injured – including firefighters. It’s devastating. To the residents of Southern California: We are with you.”
“To the brave men and women who ran towards danger over the past 24 hours in Southern California, I want you to know your President, and the rest of the country, is with you,” he wrote in a second post. “You suited up and risked your lives to save the lives of your fellow Americans. We are indebted to you.”
Over 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate communities impacted by the Southern California wildfires. At least two people have been killed. And many more are injured – including firefighters.
It’s devastating.
To the residents of Southern California: We are with you. pic.twitter.com/N0oValzP7l
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 8, 2025
To the brave men and women who ran towards danger over the past 24 hours in Southern California, I want you to know your President, and the rest of the country, is with you.
You suited up and risked your lives to save the lives of your fellow Americans. We are indebted to you. pic.twitter.com/8MXeeLf9iD
— President Biden (@POTUS) January 8, 2025
Wildfire death toll rises to five
Wednesday 8 January 2025 23:15 , Katie Hawkinson
At least five people have been killed by the wildfires raging across the Los Angeles area, the Associated Press reports.
The deaths were reported in Altadena and Pasadena, near where the Eaton fire rages on. The Pacific Palisades fire has also been deemed the most destructive in Los Angeles history.
California officials order more than 150,000 people to evacuate
Wednesday 8 January 2025 23:00 , Katie Hawkinson
California officials have now ordered more than 150,000 people to evacuate as the destructive wildfires burn on.
More than 1.5 million customers are also without power as the blazes destroy thousands of structures in Southern California.
Some 1.5 million California customers are now without power
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:47 , Julia Musto
Approximately 1,534,947 customers had no power by mid-Wednesday afternoon in California, according to tracker PowerOutage.US.
More than 940,000 were in Los Angeles County.
A wildfire smoke advisory has been extended through Thursday
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:41 , Julia Musto
FAA expands ban on flights near Los Angeles wildfires: Report
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:25 , Julia Musto
The Federal Aviation Administration has expanded a ban on non-firefighting aircraft over the Los Angeles County wildfires, according to CNN.
The temporary flight restriction now includes:
Police officers help to evacuate 101-year-old Laverna Sharpe amid Eaton Fire
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:23 , Julia Musto
LAFD experienced ‘some challenges’ with water pressure while fighting the Palisades Fire
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:14 , Julia Musto
#PalisadesFire; Due to multiple questions on the topic… We did experience some challenges with water pressure while battling the Pacific Palisades Fire. LADWP proactively filled all available water storage tanks, including three 1-million-gallon tanks located in the Palisades…
— Erik Scott (@PIOErikScott) January 8, 2025
Mayor Karen Bass is on the ground with Governor Gavin Newsom
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:08 , Julia Musto
Will Rogers’ historic ranch house is destroyed in the Palisades Fire
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:05 , Julia Musto
The Palisades Fire has destroyed historic buildings and multiple structures at two California State Parks, including actor Will Rogers’ historic ranch house.
“California State Parks mourns the loss of these treasured natural and cultural resources, and our hearts go out to everyone impacted by the devastating fires in the Los Angeles area,” State Parks Director Armando Quintero said in a statement. “Since yesterday afternoon, we are directing all available resources into the emergency response effort and working to secure and protect as much as we can at affected nearby state parks. We are deeply grateful to our parks staff and all partner agencies for their swift actions. Our top priority remains the safety of the public, our employees and the responders bravely battling the fires.”
LA Metro suspends fare collection
Wednesday 8 January 2025 22:00 , Julia Musto
Metro continues to operate. However, given the extraordinary demands on the power grid and sporadic outages, it is difficult for many to buy and load their TAP cards.
I have authorized Metro to suspend fare collection systemwide for the rest of the day.
— Janice Hahn (@SupJaniceHahn) January 8, 2025
Multiple celebs have reportedly lost their homes in the Palisades Fire
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:56 , Julia Musto
Actors Adam Brody, his wife Leighton Meester, and Anna Faris are reportedly among the celebrities most affected by the wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County, according to TMZ.
The site said they had lost their Pacific Palisades homes to the now more than 15,000-acre Palisades Fire.
Firefighters respond to Lidia Fire
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:44 , Julia Musto
Palisades Fire grows to more than 15,000 acres
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:33 , Julia Musto
The Palisades Fire has now spread over 15,832 acres, data from Cal Fire showed.
With the 10,600-acre Eaton Fire, the 700-acre Hurst Fire, and the smaller Woodley and Olivas Fires, the active incidents have scorched some 27,173 acres.
People returning to the scenes of Southern California wildfires find devastation
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:29 , Julia Musto
CNN’s Anderson Cooper tours Altadena: ‘Embers are like snowflakes’
Wednesday 8 January 2025 21:19 , Julia Musto
Satellite imagery shows heat and smoke from SoCal fires
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:54 , Julia Musto
There have been more than 55 wildfires since the year’s start, Cal Fire says
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:50 , Julia Musto
Hurst Fire jumps to 700 acres
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:47 , Julia Musto
NHL postpones the Los Angeles Kings’ home game
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:45 , Julia Musto
The NHL has postponed the Los Angeles Kings’ game against the Calgary Flames. The hockey teams were set to play at the Kings’ downtown arena on Thursday night.
“Our hearts are with our entire Los Angeles community,” the Kings said in a statement.
With reporting from The Associated Press
Preliminary AccuWeather estimate of damage and loss from California wildfires is more than $50 billion
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:41 , Julia Musto
Media forecasting company AccuWether said Wednesday that its preliminary estimate of the total damage and economic loss from the wildfires currently burning in Southern California ranges from $52 to $57 billion.
“This is already one of the worst wildfires in California history. Should a large number of additional structures be burned in the coming days, it may become the worst wildfire in modern California history based on the number of structures burned and economic loss,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said.
AccuWeather noted that the estimate may change as fires continue to spread.
Pacific Palisades fire is now most destructive in Los Angeles city history
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:33 , Julia Musto
The Pacific Palisades Fire is now the most destructive in the City of Los Angeles’ history, according to statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance.
An estimated 1,000 structures have been destroyed by the blaze.
The Sayre Fire, the last most destructive wildfire, occurred in November 2008. It destroyed 604 structures in the suburb of Sylmar.
With reporting from The Associated Press
Thursday is a no-burn day in the South Coast Air Quality Management District
Wednesday 8 January 2025 20:20 , Julia Musto