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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

Firefighters battle new wildfires in dramatic Hollywood aerial footage

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At least seven 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 19,059 acres, while the Altadena and Pasadena-based Eaton fire has scorched some 13,690 acres.

Another fire, the Kenneth Fire, broke out north of the Palisades fire on Thursday afternoon, threatening homes near Calabasas and Hidden Hills.

The causes of all of the wildfires are under active investigation, but thousands of buildings and businesses have been destroyed.

Numerous California customers remained without power on Thursday, with roughly 863,000 outages in Los Angeles County and another 857,000 or so in neighboring San Bernadino County, according to tracker PowerOutage.us.

Sarah Michelle Gellar and other stars turn on LA mayor and Gavin Newsom over fire response

Julia Musto9 January 2025 17:11

Sun rises on devastation from Palisades Fire

Debris covers the ground after the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Thursday. Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed
Debris covers the ground after the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Thursday. Thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed (AP)
Debris covers the ground after the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Thursday. Much of the debris could be toxic, officials warned
Debris covers the ground after the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Thursday. Much of the debris could be toxic, officials warned (AP)
The sun rises after the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Thursday. Windy conditions resulted in fast-moving blazes in the region
The sun rises after the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Thursday. Windy conditions resulted in fast-moving blazes in the region (AP)
The sun rises after the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Thursday. Structures are burnt to the ground
The sun rises after the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Thursday. Structures are burnt to the ground (AP)
Julia Musto9 January 2025 17:10

Utility systems have been ‘significantly damaged’ and municipal water system continues to suffer poor quality

Los Angeles County Public Works Director Mark Pestrella told reporters Thursday that the county’s utility systems have been “significantly damaged” by the wildfires.

He said that there’s a “tremendous amount of debris” that needs to be processed and moved out of the area, some of which may be hazardous or toxic.

While the reservoirs are full and continue to be ready, Pestrella warned that the municipal water system continues to suffer poor quality due to ash from the blazes.

He noted that specific areas, like Malibu, require water to be boiled, and that those in areas burned to the ground should boil their water.

Julia Musto9 January 2025 16:58

Evacuations will probably continue as winds pick up, LAPD Chief predicts

“The air is not healthy for people who are challenged from a respiratory standpoint,” Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim Mcdonnell told reporters on Thursday.

He said that evacuations will probably still continue as the winds pick up.

Julia Musto9 January 2025 16:52

LA County Sheriff impacted areas, homes: ‘Some of ‘em looked like a bomb was dropped in ‘em’

“Some of ‘em looked like a bomb was dropped in ‘em,” Sheriff Robert Luna said.

“This is a crisis and we don’t know what to expect, but we’re ready for everything.”

Julia Musto9 January 2025 16:44

Nearly 180,000 residents in Los Angeles County are under evacuation orders

Nearly 180,000 residents in Los Angeles County remain under evacuation orders, according to Sheriff Robert Luna.

Nearly 200,000 were under evacuation warnings.

Julia Musto9 January 2025 16:42

20 people arrested for allegedly looting, number expected to go up: LA County Sheriff

Some 20 individuals have been arrested for allegedly looting homes and businesses affected by wildfires.

“Absolutely unacceptable,” Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna told reporters.

Those who remain in the area are guilty of a misdemeanor.

“Our first choice isn’t to do enforcement...” he noted. “It’s to help people.”

Julia Musto9 January 2025 16:37

Eaton Fire growth has been ‘significantly stopped'

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said Thursday that the growth of Acton’s Eaton Fire has been “significantly stopped.”

Mutual aid resources continue to arrive in response to the blaze, and 879 firefighting personnel are working on the incident.

There have been several reported injuries and deaths and more than a thousand structures were damaged.

The fire’s cause remains under active investigation.

Julia Musto9 January 2025 16:33

Palisades Fire remains 0 percent contained

Julia Musto9 January 2025 16:21

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