The death toll rises to 10 as fires take a staggering toll on LA

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Nearly 180,000 Los Angeles County residents have been evacuated and more than 10,000 structures may have been lost or damaged as devastating fires continue to burn in Southern California.

We still do not have a clear understanding of how many homes have been destroyed. We know that many beloved local businesses have burned down.

The death toll has already risen and is likely to continue rising: The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner announced Thursday evening that it had “received reports of 10 fire-related deaths as of 9:00 p.m.”

At least five of the deaths are believed to have stemmed from the Eaton fire, and two were confirmed from the Palisades fire, according to comments from LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley earlier in the day.

“It’s safe to say the Palisades fire is one of the most devastating natural disasters in Los Angeles history,” Crowley said, putting the firestorm in context.

LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said some burned areas look like a bomb was dropped on them.

Like many in the region, we know friends and colleagues who saw their homes destroyed in an instant. The losses feel staggering. Photos and videos from areas the Palisades and Eaton fires roared through show entire neighborhoods flattened.

The end does not seem to be near. Although the worst of the Santa Ana winds that had fueled the out-of-control fires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena are now behind us, the National Weather Service says strong winds and critical fire weather will continue until at least Friday evening.

Here’s what we know about the latest fire and others burning now.

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Kenneth Four

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The fire, which broke out in West Hills shortly after 2.30pm on Thursday near the Victory Trail Headgrew to 960 acres as of Thursday evening.

Mandatory evacuation orders issued shortly after the fire started were downgraded to warnings a few hours later, though officials continued to ask residents to be aware and follow additional guidance. By Thursday at the latest, containment was at 35%.

LAist coverage

Note: there was initial confusion about both the name and location of this fire. The name was first given as Kennis and the town notice listed the location as Woodland Hills, but mapped to the correct address in West Hills.

Sunset Fire (contained)

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The brush fire started at 18.04 Wednesday at 11pm at Solar Drive in Hollywood Hills.

The fire quickly burned about 60 acres between Runyon Canyon and Wattles Park. 7.30 Thursday morning, evacuation orders will be lifted for the area and by the end of the day the fire was considered fully contained.

Resources stationed nearby and air support probably made a big difference. More than 150 firefighters were deployed to battle the Sunset Fire almost immediately, Margaret Stewart, public information officer for the Los Angeles Fire Department, told our media partner KCAL News. Helicopters made water drops throughout Wednesday night into Thursday.

Eaton Fire

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The Eaton fire has destroyed entire neighborhoods in Altadena and forced about 100,000 people to evacuate from Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and Glendale. The fire remained 0% contained through Wednesday, with a continued red flag forecast through Friday.

Officials are reporting five deaths as a result of the fire and said many others were injured as the fire spread. The evacuation areas are also now under orders not to drink or use the water in the area for cooking due to debris from the fire.

LAist coverage

Palisades Fire

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The Palisades Fire, which broke out in the Santa Monica Mountains on Tuesday morning, sent thousands of residents fleeing, some of them on foot, as they tried to outrun advancing flames driven by extremely strong winds.

2 deaths have been confirmed, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley announced Thursday.

As of Thursday afternoon, an estimated 5,316 structures may have been destroyed or damaged, devastating neighborhoods and businesses along PCH and throughout the Pacific Palisades. More than 19,000 acres have burned, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. That’s 6% contained as of Thursday night.

The city of Santa Monica now has one sunset to sunrise curfew in effect for all areas under evacuation orders. That curfew will be in place until those orders are lifted. Violators are subject to a maximum fine of $1,000 for each incident. The city also extended permitted stays at bed and breakfasts, hotels and motels beyond 30 days.

LAist coverage

Hurst Fire

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Shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday, a fire started above Olive View Medical Center and spread toward the 210 Freeway in Sylmar. The CHP received a report that a power line had exploded in the area and that the fire was moving toward homes in the area.

After quickly spreading to 100 acres, the fire grew to nearly 900 acres late Wednesday with mandatory evacuations still in place. That said, fire officials reported that the fire was 10% contained and that firefighters were keeping the perimeter within planned containment lines Wednesday.

LAist coverage

Lydia Brand

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The Lidia fire broke out shortly after 13 Wednesday off Soledad Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest. It has burned 348 acres, and containment was at 60% by noon Thursday. The cause is under investigation.

The extreme fire threat prompted forest officials to close the entire Angeles National Forest from Wednesday, January 8 at 5pm to midnight on Wednesday 15 January.

Woodley Fire

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The Woodley fire was reported near North Woodley Avenue and Sepulveda Basin shortly after 1 p.m. 6 Wednesday. Fire crews were able to contain the fire to 30 acres, after initially reporting the size at 75 acres. It is now 100% contained. In the early hours of the fire, officials warned that it posed “a threat to cross Burbank Boulevard.”

Riverside County

Tyler Fire

The Tyler fire was reported in Coachella south as a vegetation fire south of the 10 Freeway at 3:25. The fire was contained to 15 acres.

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