LA fires live updates: Santa Ana winds set to return as crews scramble to control blazes that left 10 dead
Death toll continues to climb from the deadly Los Angeles County wildfires that forced evacuation orders for nearly 200,000 residents as the Kenneth Fire arson suspect is held in police custody
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Your support makes all the difference.At least 10 people have been killed by the fast-moving wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, while a suspected arsonist, allegedly armed with a “flamethrower,” has been arrested.
The Department of Medical Examiner announced it received notification of 10 fire-related fatalities on Thursday evening with the death toll expected to climb. It came hours after the Kenneth fire broke out north of the Palisades fire on Thursday, threatening homes near Calabasas and Hidden Hills.
The Los Angeles Police Department said it believed the blaze was started intentionally. Later on Thursday, a man was restrained by citizens using zip ties after allegedly attempting to light a fire in Woodland Hills, before being detained, Sean Dinse of the LAPD’s Topanga Division told KTLA 5.
The suspect, believed to be in his mid-20s, was armed with a “propane tank” or “flamethrower,” according to a witness.
The Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive the city has seen, is now at six percent containment. The fire has scorched almost 20,000 acres, while the Altadena and Pasadena-based Eaton fire has burned 13,690 acres. At least 180,000 residents have been forced to evacuate and 10,000 structures feared burned down.
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The Palisades Fire is now more than 20,000 acres
The Palisades Fire has now torn over more than 20,000 acres, according to Cal Fire.
With that update, the total acreage from the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Hurst, and Lidia Fires is 36,253 acres.
National Guard arrives in Los Angeles
“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has officially requested the support of the California National Guard for both fires,” Sheriff Robert Luna said Thursday. “They will be assisting us with traffic control and critical infrastructure protection.”
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Troops deployed to support local law enforcement after 20 people arrested for opportunistic raids on empty homes and shops as blazes continue to rage across California city
Palisades, Eaton Fires are now some of the most destructive in California’s history
The Palisades and Eaton Fires are now some of the state’s most destructive blazes.
They rank third and fourth, respectively, on Cal Fire’s list Top 20 list.
Arson suspect arrested by citizens near Kenneth fire armed with a ‘propane tank or flamethrower’
Arson suspect arrested near Kenneth fire armed with a ‘propane tank or flamethrower’
Man claims he used incendiary device ‘to smoke marujuana’ because he ‘couldn’t afford a lighter,’ witness says
Mel Gibson says house burnt down while recording controversial Joe Rogan interview
Mel Gibson has revealed that his house burnt down while he was recording a controversial podcast interview with Joe Rogan.
The Braveheart actor-director said that he was “kind of ill at ease” while talking to Rogan because he knew his neighbourhood of Malibu “was on fire” due to the devastating blazes raging through the Los Angeles area.
“I thought ‘I wonder if my place is still there’, but when I got home, sure enough, it wasn’t there,” he told NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas Reports.
“I’ve never seen such a complete burn. It is obviously devastating, it’s emotional. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I lived there for about 14, 15 years so it was home to me.”
Jacob Stolworthy has the full report.
Mel Gibson’s house burns down while recording controversial Joe Rogan interview
‘Braveheart’ star says he was ‘ill at ease’ while talking to podcast host
Satellite image shows wildfire smoke and flames visible from space
MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough blames ‘hellscape’ wildfires on slashed spending
MSNBC’s Morning Joe host Joe Scarborough on Friday blamed the Los Angeles “hellscape” wildfires on slashed infrastructure spending.
“We don’t know the exact causes for the complete failure of government to be able to protect these homes,” he said, according to the New York Post.
LA County says it’s working with FEMA to investigate ‘erroneous’ emergency alert messages
More than 245,000 California customers are without power
More than 245,000 California customers remained without power early Friday morning, according to tracker PowerOutage.US. That number is markedly down from Thursday, but winds are still expected to pick up.
‘Gusty’ Santa Ana winds expected today through next week
Gusty winds reaching up to 70mph in southern California’s mountainous areas are expected after sunrise on Friday morning with wind speeds expected to weaken by noon, according to the National Weather Service.
“Gusty Santa Ana winds will continue across the Southland this morning. Another round of gusty north to northeast winds will develop Sunday, then a stronger offshore wind event is possible between Monday night and Wednesday,” the NWS said in an early morning update on Friday.
“Otherwise, dry weather is expected at least through the middle of next week.”
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