California wildfires live updates: LA fires cause extensive damage as some communities look ‘like a bomb was dropped’
Death toll continues to climb as more than 7,500 firefighting personnel are deployed across California, with two of the most ferocious fires at zero percent containment
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Your support makes all the difference.At least six people have been killed and countless others injured as fast-moving wildfires have torn across Los Angeles, leaving thousands of firefighters attempting to extinguish the blaze.
Officials said Thursday that while progress had been made on the Sunset, Woodley, Hurst and Sunswept Fires, more “extreme fire behavior” and wind gusts up to 60mph are continuing to challenge firefighting efforts.
Los Angeles Sheriff Robert Luna said fire-ravaged neighborhoods in west L.A. “look like a bomb was dropped in them.”
The Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive natural disasters the city has seen, is still not contained. The fire has burned at least 17,234 acres, while the Altadena and Pasadena-based Eaton fire has scorched some 10,600 acres.
The causes of all of the wildfires are under active investigation, but thousands of buildings and businesses have been destroyed.
Nearly 180,000 residents of the county are under evacuation orders and close to 200,000 are under evacuation warnings. Even more California customers were left without power Thursday, with nearly 420,000 outages reported by tracker PowerOutage.us.
Another fire, the Kenneth Fire, broke out north of the Palisades fire on Thursday afternoon, threatening homes in Calabasas and Hidden Hills.
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Cal Fire encouraged by lower winds
A Cal Fire official said Thursday the agency got a “great” pause in high winds to launch further fire-fighting efforts, relaxed weather conditions that may continue through the night.
“We’re optimistic about tonight,” battalion chief Brent Pascua told CNN. “We’re not going to see those 80 mph winds that are knocking over trees.”
Death toll ‘will rise’ in coming days: sheriff
At least six people have died so far in the Los Angeles fires, but that figure could rise in the coming days, according to officials.
“I think the death toll will rise,” L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a Thursday new conference. “I hope I’m wrong.”
The six deaths represent a likely undercount.
“Right now, frankly, we don’t know yet,” he added.
What we know about the victims of the most destructive fire in LA history
Five victims were reportedly killed in the Eaton fire that has been blazing through Altadena and Pasadena, while a sixth person was found dead in Malibu
Beyoncé’s mother loses Malibu house in fires: ‘It was my favorite place'
Tina Knowles, mother of pop star Beyoncé, is one of many notable people around the L.A. area who have lost their homes in the recent fires.
“It was my favorite place, my sanctuary , my sacred Happy Place,” Knowles wrote on Instagram, sharing a tranquil video of the view from before her Malibu bungalow burned down. “Now it is gone.”
“This could have been so much worse with out the dedication of the disaster workers and first responders,” she added. “I’m so sad for the people who lost the five family members. My deepest Prayers are with you !!!!!!”
Video: Fire-fighting plane scoops ocean water near World Central Kitchen site
Chef José Andrés’s World Central Kitchen nonprofit is on the scene near the Palisades fire providing food to first responders.
As chefs worked to feed the firefighters, water-scooping firefighting planes dipped into the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Evacuations ordered in area near Kenneth Fire
Emergency officials have ordered the evacuation of those in the Van Owen, City Border, Burbank, and Valley Ricle areas due to te “rapidaly moving” Kenneth Fire.
The fire broke out in Woodland Hills, near the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, earlier today.
20 people arrested for looting so far, sheriff says
Looters have seized on the chaos of the L.A. fires to plunder homes and businesses, according to police.
“Twenty individuals chose to go into our areas and deprive these poor people who have been through so much of their property,” L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna told reporters on Thursday.
Fire death roll rises to six
At least six people have now died as a result of the Los Angeles fires with the addition of the first person killed in the Palisades Fire.
The city of Malibu confirmed the death in a statement to CNN.
“Although the individual has not yet been identified, this tragic news weighs heavily on our hearts,” Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart said. “On behalf of the City of Malibu, I want to express my deepest condolences to the loved ones of this person. Our community grieves with you in this moment of unimaginable loss.”
Where to donate to support victims of L.A. wildfires
A range of charitable organizations are doing important work to support Angelenos as they struggle with multiple historic wildfires.
The American Red Cross, California Community Foundation, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, and World Central Kitchen are all accepting donations to assist on aspects ranging from food to shelter to medical supplies.
Video: Biden announces federal government will
The federal government will cover 100 percent of the cost of key parts of the response to the L.A. wildfires for the next 180 days, the president announced on Thursday.
“Folks, I want to underscore, I told the governor and local officials, spare no expense to do what they need to do,” Biden said.
Watch live: Biden addresses nation as wildfires tear across Los Angeles
Watch live as Joe Biden addresses the nation as wildfires continue to rip through the Los Angeles County area on Thursday, 9 January.
WATCH: L.A. resident confronts governor while he’s on phone with Biden
A Los Angeles resident confronted California Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday, demanding answers about why certain L.A. fire hydrants weren’t working and what officials would do differently to prevent future tragedies.
The exchange quickly grew heated, as the governor explained he was attempting to reach President Biden on the phone, while the woman insisted she be present for the call.
Watch the whole exchange below, via Sky News.
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