Los Angeles fires live updates: Palisades Fire grows as strong winds fuel destruction, 16 dead
US officials warn “dangerous and strong” winds are set to push deadly wildfires further through Los Angeles residential areas as firefighters struggled to make progress against the flames.
At least 16 people have been confirmed dead from blazes that have ripped through the city, reducing whole neighbourhoods to ashes and leaving thousands without homes.
Despite massive efforts, including precision sorties from aerial crews, the Palisades Fire continued to grow, spreading east towards the priceless collections of the Getty Center art museum and north to the densely populated San Fernando Valley.
“The winds are potentially getting dangerous and strong again,” Deanne Criswell, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema), told CNN.
“The biggest thing that people need to know is that this is still dangerous.”
A brief lull in the wind gave way to gusts that forecasters warned could reach up to 80km/h early Sunday, local time, and feed the blazes for days to come.
Story continues after the live blog
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Football Ferns captain's wedding days after home destroyed in LA fires
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LA fire evacuees told no chance of return until at least Thursday
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Tens of thousands of people forced from their homes by enormous fires raking Los Angeles will not be able to return for at least four days, officials said today.
Frustrated evacuees have formed lines at checkpoints hoping to get into no-go zones barricaded off amid the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire.
Many are desperate to get back to homes they had to flee with just a few moments' notice to pick up medicines or clothes they did not have a chance to grab.
Others simply want to find out if their houses have survived.
But Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said that gusting winds forecast this week mean the fire emergency is far from over.
"They can't go home, simply because it's not safe," he told a press conference.
"It's our collective priority... to be able to get residents back in their homes just as quickly as possible.
"That conversation is not going to occur until the end of the predicted red flag event that's on its way," he said, referring to the strong winds expected to last until Wednesday.
"Please rest assured that first thing Thursday, we will start talking about repopulation."
- AFP
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MFAT statement on LA fires
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There are currently around 200 New Zealanders registered as being in Los Angeles. We continue to encourage all New Zealanders in Los Angeles to register their travel on SafeTravel and pass this message on to any New Zealanders who may not be registered with us.
Our Consulate has provided advice and assistance to a small number of people.
While the New Zealand Consulate’s physical office is closed on advice from local authorities, the Consulate remains operational with staff working remotely.
There are no known fatalities or injuries to New Zealanders at this stage, however we are aware of several New Zealand families in the affected areas.
New Zealanders in the affected area, or areas potentially affected by the fires, should follow the advice of the local authorities, including any evacuation orders. We also recommend that they stay informed of developments by monitoring local media. More information can be found on our newsfeature here: United States of America: California wildfires
New Zealanders who require consular assistance can contact the New Zealand Consulate-General in Los Angeles on +1 310 566 6555 or at nzcg.la@mfat.net , or for emergencies after-hours on +64 99 20 20 20.
We have not received any requests for support from the US at this stage, but New Zealand stands ready to support in any way we can, as we have done in many instances over the years in the US and Canada. There are well-established mechanisms in place between the US and New Zealand to facilitate this kind of support, should it be required. These requests are managed by Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Vera Alves
LA fires could be costliest disaster in US history, Governor Gavin Newsom says
Vera Alves
Fire damage could cost more than a quarter of a trillion dollars.
LA was prepared for serious fires. But it wasn’t ready for four
Vera Alves
“There were too many houses to protect, and not enough engines,” one fire captain in Los Angeles said. Though fire officials say they were well-prepared and simply overwhelmed by the elements, questions are being raised about whether the intensity of modern fires requires a new playbook.
LA district to reopen all but seven schools on Monday
Vera Alves
Seven of the district’s 1,302 schools will remain closed, Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said in a press conference on Sunday evening, local LA time.
The reopened schools will operate on an inclement weather schedule which limits outdoor activities and athletics, and masks will be available for students and employees, CNN reports.
Vera Alves
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Official death toll rises to 24
Vera Alves
A total of 24 people have died due to the California wildfires, according to an updated death toll from the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner.
A list of fatalities has been published by the examiner without giving details of any identities.
Eight of the dead were found in the Palisades Fire zone, and 16 in the Eaton Fire zone, according to the document.
How climate change is supercharging disasters
Vera Alves
"We sound like a broken record because the records keep breaking."
Inmates fighting fires for just over NZ$10 a day
Vera Alves
A total of 931 inmates are part of the team of firefighters currently working around the clock, cutting fire lines and removing fuel from behind structures to slow the spread of California’s devastating wildfires, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
CNN reports that the inmates are paid by the department between US$5.80 (NZ$10.43) and US$10.24 (NZ$18.40) per day depending on skill level and they can earn an additional US$1 per hour from Cal Fire when assigned to an active emergency, according to a fact sheet from the department.
Most of them also receive 2-for-1 credits - meaning they receive two additional days off their sentence for each day they work.
“Wildfires are a constant and formidable challenge for California, and CDCR conservation fire camps remain dedicated to supporting the state’s response,” said California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Jeff Macomber.
“The work of our incarcerated firefighters and staff is an essential part of this effort, and their commitment to protecting lives and property during these emergencies cannot be overstated.”
- CNN
Vera Alves
Palisades fire 11% contained
Vera Alves
Here's a summary of the current situation in LA:
- The Kenneth fire, which burned just over 1,000 acres, is now under control.
- The Hurst Fire, which has destroyed 799 acres so far, is 89% contained.
- The Palisades fire is 11% contained, and has burned nearly 24,000 acres.
- The Eaton fire is 27% contained and has burned more than 14,000 acres.
Watch: Heartwarming moment man is reunited with his lost dog after the fires
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Another 1000 California National Guard service members deployed to LA
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Southern California facing 'critical fire weather' until Wednesday
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At least 20 arrested for looting
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Police in Los Angeles have arrested at least 20 people for looting so far.
Among them were two burglars who posed as firefighters when entering houses, according to the police.
Los Angeles fire evacuees face price gouging
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“The price gouging is going haywire, it’s obscene."
Ukraine may send firefighters to Los Angeles
Vera Alves
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says firefighters from his country are on standby and ready to be sent to help fight the wildfires in Los Angeles.
“Today, I instructed Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs and our diplomats to prepare for the possible participation of our rescuers in combating the wildfires in California,” Zelenskyy said.
“The situation there is extremely difficult, and Ukrainians can help Americans save lives,” he said.
The Ukrainian president added that 150 firefighters are already prepared.
Kiwi musician recalls the moment she evacuated her LA home
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The singer said she felt “extremely lucky” to have a vehicle she could use to evacuate as she had been involved in a bad car accident just weeks ago.
Canada sending firefighters to fight LA blazes
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Could fireworks be to blame for one of the fires in LA?
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The Post’s analysis of photos, videos, satellite imagery and radio communications, plus interviews with witnesses, offers new evidence that the Palisades fire started in the area where firefighters had spent hours using helicopters to knock down a blaze six days earlier.
Investigators from state and federal agencies descended on this area in recent days, interviewing residents and looking for evidence – including around the burn scar of the New Year’s Eve fire – of what sparked the fire.
Vera Alves
Reporter slammed for interviewing Hollywood star amid LA fire evacuation
Vera Alves
An American TV reporter is being criticised by viewers after interrupting a veteran Hollywood actor while he was trying to pack his car and evacuate during the catastrophic Los Angeles wildfires.
Officials investigating whether electrical equipment caused Hurst Fire
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Fire agencies are investigating whether Edison electrical equipment contributed to the Hurst Fire, CNN reports.
Newson suspends landmark environmental laws to allow for rebuilding
Vera Alves
California governor Gavin Newsom has announced he will suspend various landmark environmental laws to allow for rebuilding across southern California in areas that have been destroyed by the wildfires.
“When the fires are extinguished, victims who have lost their homes and businesses must be able to rebuild quickly and without roadblocks," he said today.
"The executive order I signed today will help cut permitting delays, an important first step in allowing our communities to recover faster and stronger. I’ve also ordered our state agencies to identify additional ways to streamline the rebuilding and recovery process.”
Mexican firefighters arrive in LA to help fight blazes
Vera Alves
Mexican firefighters and emergency personnel have arrived in Los Angeles to join the efforts to fight the blazes. According to the LA Times, 72 arrived from Mexico over the weekend.
Kenneth fire is 100% contained
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The Kenneth fire, which started earlier this week near Calabasas, is now 100% contained, the LA times reports.
29 arrests made so far
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Authorities have made 29 arrests made so far in LA County during Eaton and Palisades fires, officials report.
Number of people reported missing grows
Sophie Ryan
At least 16 people have died in the fires and the LA County sheriff says the number of people reported missing is growing.
“I expect or anticipate that the number of missing persons will absolutely go up,” Sheriff Luna said in response to a reporter’s question. “Hour by the hour, the numbers increase.”
Looter dressed as firefighter arrested
Sophie Ryan
Robert Luna, the Los Angeles County sheriff, said about 29 people have been arrested in the fire zones. One man was dressed like a firefighter and had been burglarising a home, the sheriff said.
Winds strengthening as fires remain out of control
Sophie Ryan
"Dangerous and strong” winds are set to push deadly wildfires further through Los Angeles residential areas as firefighters struggle to make progress against the enormous fires.
Story continues
The winds were due to weaken later Sunday before picking up again overnight, the National Weather Service said.
Nowhere to live
The Palisades Fire was 11% contained but had grown to 9500ha, while the Eaton Fire was at 5600ha and 15% contained.
Official figures show more than 12,000 structures burned, though Cal Fire’s Todd Hopkins said not all were houses and the number included outbuildings, trailers and sheds.
In some areas, the ferocious fire left streaks of molten metal flowing from burnt-out cars.
The sudden rush of evacuated people needing somewhere to live posed a growing problem for the city.
“I’m back on the market with tens of thousands of people,” said a man who gave his name as Brian, whose rent-controlled apartment has burned. “That doesn’t bode well.”
With incidents of looting and a night-time curfew in place, police and the National Guard mounted checkpoints to prevent people getting into the disaster zones.
Two people were arrested near Vice-President Kamala Harris’ Brentwood house for violating the curfew order after police received reports of burglary.
A handwritten sign with “looters will be shot” was hung on one tree, next to the US flag outside a house in Pacific Palisades.
But the security checkpoints have left residents frustrated as they queue for up to 10 hours to try to get back in and see what, if anything, is left of their homes or check on family.
Prevented from entering an evacuation zone, Altadena resident Bobby Salman, 42, said: “I have to be there to protect my family, my wife, my kids, my mom and I cannot even go and see them.”
The queues left some people fuming about poor management, the latest gripe from a population already angry over hydrants that ran dry in the initial firefight.
Trump bashes California leaders over fire response
City officials have put on a united front after reports of a behind-the-scenes row between the mayor and the fire chief.
But President-elect Donald Trump accused California officials of incompetence.
“This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
Teams with cadaver dogs were combing through the rubble, with several people known to be missing and fears that the death toll will grow.
Among those known to have died in the tragedy was former Australian child star Rory Sykes, who appeared in British TV show Kiddy Kapers in the 1990s.
Climate impact
A huge investigation by federal and local authorities was under way to determine what caused the blazes.
California Governor Gavin Newsom told Meet the Press he was also launching a “Marshall Plan” for the state as it looks to rebuild.
“We already have a team looking at reimagining LA 2.0,” he said.
He also stressed the immediate problem of weather conditions, saying “the challenge is the winds. We’ve got these winds coming back this evening, Sunday night. We’ve got peak winds on Monday”.
While the ignition of a wildfire can be deliberate, they are often natural, and a vital part of an environment’s life cycle.
But urban sprawl puts people more frequently in harm’s way, and the changing climate – supercharged by humanity’s unchecked use of fossil fuels – is exacerbating the conditions that give rise to destructive blazes.
- Agence France-Presse