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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

Watch: Paris Hilton volunteers at Pasadena Humane Society after wildfires destroy home

Paris Hilton volunteers at Pasadena Humane Society after wildfires destroy home
Holly Evans14 January 2025 08:12
3 days ago

Hikers describe seeing early moments of Palisades fire

A group of hikers may have been some of the first people to witness and record the beginnings of the deadly Palisades fire, which has devastated the high-end Los Angeles neighborhood.

Kai Cranmore told Backpacker.com he set out with friends on January 7 for a four-mile hike in Temescal Canyon, and began to smell smoke while he was meditating at a scenic vista.

“We were expressing what we were feeling,” said Cranmore, who has lived in Los Angeles for seven years. “I would say ‘I feel the gravity pulling me towards the earth’ or ‘I feel my breath.’ And my buddy Mike was like, ‘I smell smoke.’”

Video captured by the group shows a plume of dusty smoke rising from a nearby hillside.

Josh Marcus14 January 2025 07:59
3 days ago

High winds expected throughout week: Forecast

Los Angeles-area firefighters are making some progress containing the fires encircling the city, but this week they’ll once again have to deal with the sorts of high winds that caused the fires to break out in the first place.

Between Monday and Wednesday, winds in Los Angeles and Ventura counties will reach up to 70 mph in the mountains and up to 60mph in the coasts and valleys, according to the National Weather Service.

Josh Marcus14 January 2025 07:00
3 days ago

At least one Republican opposes conditions on wildfire aid for California

As some Republicans weigh whether to attach conditions on supplemental wildfire aid for California, Senator Thom Thillis of North Carolina has spoken out against the proposal.

Thillis, whose own state was devastated in a recent natural disaster, argued against imposing new hoops to jump through before California gets relief.

“I would ask those folks to put themselves in the same position as people western North Carolina…” he told HuffPost. “You got to be consistent on disaster supplement, period.”

Josh Marcus14 January 2025 06:00
3 days ago

WATCH: L.A. district attorney announces looting, arson charges for crimes during fires

Josh Marcus14 January 2025 05:00
3 days ago

ICYMI: 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.

As thousands are feared to have lost their homes, this is how local organizations and charities are responding — and how you can help too.

Rhian Lubin has the details.

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

Josh Marcus14 January 2025 04:00
3 days ago

$2 billion Powerball winner loses home in Los Angeles fires

In November 2022, Edwin Castro was the lucky winner of a historic $2.04 billion Powerball lottery jackpot.

Three years later, and his fortunes have reversed.

A $3.8 million home he purchased with some of his winnings in Malibu was among the many structures scorched in the devastating Palisades fire, KTLA reports.

Here’s some of our past reporting on Castro.

Powerball winner declared rightful owner of $2bn prize amid heated lawsuit

The lottery saga has been ongoing since the winning ticket was purchased in 2022

Josh Marcus14 January 2025 03:37
3 days ago

Another fire breaks out near Riverside

Los Angeles-area firefighters have another blaze on their hands.

Crews began responding to the one-acre Jurupa Fire around 5pm this afternoon, according to Watch Duty.

The blaze is near the Santa Ana River, KTLA reports.

The station captured overhead video of fire crews battling a small fire on a hillside.

Josh Marcus14 January 2025 03:17
3 days ago

Republican leaders want to condition aid to California. Rank and file isn’t sure

The raging wildfires in Southern California that have ruined countless homes and livelihoods have now given way to the immortal question: How will Congress provide aid to the ailing state?

Under normal circumstances, this would be an easy issue. California is the largest economy in the United States. But California has long been a punching bag for Republicans and President-elect Donald Trump has long clashed with Governor Gavin Newsom. During the weekend, Trump reposted an image of the Hollywood Hills, replacing the Hollywood sign with letters saying “Trump was right” as the area was ablaze.

Donald Trump Jr. and Elon Musk have particularly swiped at the Los Angeles Fire Department for sending equipment to Ukraine. Ted Cruz, meanwhile, the senator from California’s mortal enemy Texas, faulted Los Angeles for cutting money for its fire department while allocating money for a transgender cafe and a social justice network on his podcast.

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson told CNN’s Manu Raju that state and local leaders “were derelict in their duty,” and that “I think there should be conditions on that aid.”

Eric Garcia reports.

Republican leaders want to condition aid to California--rank and file is not sure

Long a conservative punching bag, Republicans are split on whether to provide aid to California with preconditions

Josh Marcus14 January 2025 02:30
3 days ago

Governor calls for expanded legislative session to address wildfires

California Governor Gavin Newsom is expanding the state’s legislative special session due to the Los Angeles fires.

Here’s what the Democrat had to say of the decision:

Josh Marcus14 January 2025 02:00

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