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3 days ago

LA fires live updates: ‘Particularly dangerous’ weather warning issued as winds increase in Southern California

Palisades and Eaton fires continue to rage through southern California as Santa Ana winds set to return

James Liddell,Julia Musto,Holly Evans
Tuesday 14 January 2025 15:53 GMT
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Newsom says LA wildfires could be worst natural disaster in US history

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A new blaze, named the Auto Fire, broke out late Monday in Ventura County, California, and has already scorched about 56 acres, prompting a swift response from fire crews.

While it remains at 0 percent containment, it has been successfully halted to the river bottom area of Oxnard with no buildings in jeopardy, officials said.

Firefighters are bracing for the return of ferocious Santa Ana winds that are expected to fan the flames of massive wildfires raging across Southern California, as the death toll climbs to at least 25 people.

The combined area burnt by the fires around Los Angeles is reportedly about 60 square miles.

The National Weather Service has warned of a “particularly dangerous situation” in the days ahead as Santa Ana winds return.

Peak winds are expecte to be milder than last week, the agency said Monday, though relatively low humidity and 20 to 40 mph offshore winds will “support rapid fire growth and potential for extreme fire behavior.” Gusts of up to 70 mph are expected in mountainous regions.

3 days ago

Firefighters have made some progress on Palisade Fire containment

A mural by Sergei Statsenko, who also goes by the artist name Steeke, thanks firefighters in the Venice Beach area of Los Angeles, California, on Monday. Firefighters are working to fight several blazes around the region as winds have picked up
A mural by Sergei Statsenko, who also goes by the artist name Steeke, thanks firefighters in the Venice Beach area of Los Angeles, California, on Monday. Firefighters are working to fight several blazes around the region as winds have picked up (AP)

Firefighters have made some progress tackling the Palisades Fire.

Containment was up to 17 percent on Tuesday morning, according to Cal Fire.

Julia Musto14 January 2025 14:25
3 days ago

Forward progress on the 56-acre Auto Fire has been stopped, Ventura County firefighters say

Julia Musto14 January 2025 14:10
3 days ago

Winds speeds are already above 60 to 70mph in parts of Los Angeles County

Julia Musto14 January 2025 14:04
3 days ago

How you can help the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires

Charities and businesses are rallying to help the people of Los Angeles following the Southern California fires that have so far claimed the lives of at least 25 people.

With more than 180,000 residents forced to evacuate and at least 10,000 structures destroyed, many people have lost everything.

The fires have scorched more than 35,000 acres so far, with little containment. The Palisades fire, one of the most destructive the city has seen, is now at 14 percent containment after burning more than 23,000 acres, while the Altadena and Pasadena-based Eaton fire has burned 14,000 acres.

Read the full article here:

How you can help the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires

As thousands have lost their homes and everything they own, this is how local organizations and charities are responding

Holly Evans14 January 2025 13:57
3 days ago

Strong winds reaching up to 72mph recorded overnight

Strong winds have been recorded in Southern California, reaching up to 72mph in parts of Los Angeles.

According to the National Weather Service, here are the strongest winds recorded overnight:

  • Magic Mountain: 72 mph
  • Mill Creek: 62 mph
  • Sandstone Peak: 60 mph
  • N3 Highway: 58mph
  • Julians Ridge: 56mph
Holly Evans14 January 2025 13:47
3 days ago

Famous Hollywood school burns down

A secondary school used as a Hollywood filming location has been left severely damaged by the Los Angeles wildfires, and has appealed to the public for help in finding a temporary location.

The principal of Palisades Charter High School said the fires had taken a “heavy toll” on the school, with many of its pupils displaced.

“As our students, teachers, and families navigate this crisis, we are asking for the support and assistance of local businesses, organizations, and individuals to assist in finding a safe, accessible space for our school,” the school posted on Facebook.

The school says it is especially looking for classroom space “available for lease or donation”, and stressed the importance of children’s education in the wake of the traumatic incident.

The school, which was founded in 1961, is known for being a filming location for a number of famous movies, including “Carrie” and “Freaky Friday.”

Holly Evans14 January 2025 13:30
3 days ago

Death toll likely to rise with at least two dozen missing

The death toll is likely to rise, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Monday. At least two dozen were missing, he said.

Luna said he understands that people are eager to return to their homes and neighborhoods to survey the damage, but he asked for their patience.

“We have people literally looking for the remains of your neighbors,” he said.

At a Monday evening community meeting about the Palisades Fire, a Los Angeles Police Department official said many people reported as missing had been found. It wasn’t clear if there was overlap in the numbers shared by the sheriff.

Holly Evans14 January 2025 13:16
3 days ago

‘This setup is about as bad as it gets,’ national weather service warns

The National Weather Service in Los Angeles has stressed that the red flag warning is an indication it is “about as bad as it gets” as it urged people to remain safe.

In a post on social media, they said: “Extreme fire danger will continue thru Wed. PDS Red Flag Warnings are for the extreme of the extreme fire weather scenarios.

“In other words, this setup is about as bad as it gets. Stay aware of your surroundings. Be prepared to evacuate. Avoid anything that can spark a fire.”

Holly Evans14 January 2025 13:04
3 days ago

Small airborne embers play a big role in the spread of wildfires

While authorities still don’t know what sparked the deadly fires in the Los Angeles area, they do know one clear way the flames have spread: embers.

Contrary to popular belief, experts say most homes destroyed by wildfires aren’t overcome by a racing wall of flames, but rather burn after being ignited by airborne embers.

An ember is a piece of burning debris. Once it becomes airborne, the more technical term is firebrand, said James Urban, an assistant professor in the Department of Fire Protection Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute.

“If it’s a wildland fire, it’s typically pieces of wood or other types of vegetation that are burning,” he said. “But when you have a fire that’s burning through an urban area, it can be vegetation, it can be pieces of the house, it can be almost anything that burns.”

They can range in size from tiny specks to larger chunks.

Holly Evans14 January 2025 12:43
3 days ago

Red flag warning comes into force across LA and Ventura counties

A red flag warning has now come into force in Los Angeles, which is due to last until midday on Wednesday.

It covers much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties and into the mountains of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

It warns thatr there will be wind gusts of up to 70mph, with a “particularly dangerous situation” warning covering two smaller areas of the Ventura County Valleys and Ventura County Coast.

A red flag warning is now in force across large areas of Los Angeles
A red flag warning is now in force across large areas of Los Angeles (National Weather Service )
Holly Evans14 January 2025 12:31

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