Palisades fire live updates: Two dead as wind-fueled wildfire deemed most destructive in LA history

Firefighters battle Pacific Palisades wildfires as huge flames and smoke sweep hillside

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Los Angeles officials pleaded with residents to heed evacuation orders Wednesday as strong winds continued to fan the flames of the deadly and destructive wildfires around the county.

Two fatalities were reported in the Eaton Fire, which had spread over more than 10,000 acres and was producing unhealthy to hazardous air quality, according to forecasters.

Wildfires had also resulted in significant injuries, although it was not immediately clear how many people had been hurt. A 25-year-old female firefighter was among them, according to Los Angeles Fire Department spokesperson Erik Scott.

The wildfires have resulted in the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents, including more than 30,000 residents in Pacific Palisades. Some residents included celebrities, such as actors James Woods and Cary Elwes.

Dangerous wind conditions were not expected to let up until the end of the week. California Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency, and the state’s National Guard was working to aid firefighters.

“This is not a normal Red Flag,” Kevin McGowan, the Director of the L.A. County Office of Emergency Management, said.

There have been more than 55 wildfires since the year’s start, Cal Fire says

Julia Musto8 January 2025 20:50

Hurst Fire jumps to 700 acres

Julia Musto8 January 2025 20:47

NHL postpones the Los Angeles Kings’ home game

Thick heavy black smoke from wildfires moves over downtown Los Angeles, California, on Wednesday. (AP)

The NHL has postponed the Los Angeles Kings’ game against the Calgary Flames. The hockey teams were set to play at the Kings’ downtown arena on Thursday night.

“Our hearts are with our entire Los Angeles community,” the Kings said in a statement.

With reporting from The Associated Press

Julia Musto8 January 2025 20:45

Preliminary AccuWeather estimate of damage and loss from California wildfires is more than $50 billion

Media forecasting company AccuWether said Wednesday that its preliminary estimate of the total damage and economic loss from the wildfires currently burning in Southern California ranges from $52 to $57 billion.

“This is already one of the worst wildfires in California history. Should a large number of additional structures be burned in the coming days, it may become the worst wildfire in modern California history based on the number of structures burned and economic loss,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said.

AccuWeather noted that the estimate may change as fires continue to spread.

Julia Musto8 January 2025 20:41

Pacific Palisades fire is now most destructive in Los Angeles city history

The Pacific Palisades Fire is now the most destructive in the City of Los Angeles’ history, according to statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance.

An estimated 1,000 structures have been destroyed by the blaze.

The Sayre Fire, the last most destructive wildfire, occurred in November 2008. It destroyed 604 structures in the suburb of Sylmar.

With reporting from The Associated Press

Julia Musto8 January 2025 20:33

Social media video from Pacific Palisades shows ‘unimaginable loss'

Julia Musto8 January 2025 20:23

Thursday is a no-burn day in the South Coast Air Quality Management District

Julia Musto8 January 2025 20:20

Los Angeles and surrounding communities fill with smoke as wildfire threat continues to grow

High winds blow as thick smoke from wildfires shrouds downtown Los Angeles on Wednesday in Southern California. The city’s air quality was slowly deteriorating there (AP)

A pedestrian uses a flashlight on a smoke-filled street in Pasadena, California, on Wednesday. Transit there was suspending amid the wildfire threat (AP)

A pedestrian walks across from the burning Altadena Community Church in Pasadena, California, on Wednesday. The city said its public counters would be closed due to wind and fire (AP)

The Eaton Fire burns vehicles and structures in Altadena, California, on Wednesday. The Eaton fire continued to grow on Wednesday (AP)

Julia Musto8 January 2025 20:14

The Palisades Fire has spread over more than 11,000 acres

The Palisades Fire has spread over 11,802 acres, according to data from Cal Fire.

Including acreage from other recent fires, including the new Olivas and Woodley Fires, 23,143 acres have been burned in the region over the last two days.

Julia Musto8 January 2025 20:02

Gleeful young adults spotted grinning for selfies while deadly California wildfires rage behind them

Julia Musto8 January 2025 19:55

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