Wildfires in Los Angeles: What to know about evacuations and burned homes

LOS ANGELES (AP) – At least five people were killed and thousands of structures were burned as fierce wildfires raged in the Los Angeles area, officials said. Fast moving flames blazed through homes and businesses as the residents fled smoky canyons and picturesque neighborhoods that are home to many celebrities.

Many of the towering fires that began Tuesday were fueled strong Santa Ana windsas wind gusts to more than 70 mph (112 km/h) in some places. Winds died down Thursday, but the National Weather Service warned that even the reduced gusts could still spread the fire quickly, and winds were expected to pick up again Thursday evening. Another round of strong winds may form on Tuesday.

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The destruction from the Palisades fire is seen from the air in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The exact death toll remained unclear, but it was expected to rise as crews begin to sift through the rubble.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said California has deployed more than 1,400 firefighters to fight the flames. Oregon, Washington, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona sent teams to help.

AccuWeather, a private company that provides data on weather and its impacts, raised its estimate of the damage and economic loss to $135 billion to $150 billion. Government officials have not yet released any damage estimates.

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Josh Lederer wears a mask to protect him from fumes as he retrieves his children’s clothes from his fire-ravaged property in the wake of the Palisades fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/ Jae C . Hong)

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A firefighter protects a beachfront property while battling the Palisades Fire, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Here’s what you need to know about the fires:

The Palisades Fire is the most destructive in LA history

Thousands of structures have been damaged or destroyed in the hilly coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisadesmaking it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.

The wreckage surpassed that of the November 2008 Sayre fire, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, the city’s northernmost suburb, according to statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance, a partnership between the city’s fire department and MySafe:LA.

Nearly 27 square miles (nearly 70 square kilometers) burned in Pacific Palisades, which is dotted with celebrity homes and was memorialized by the Beach Boys in their 1960s hit “Surfin’ USA.” The flames burned part of Palisades Charter High School, which has been featured in many Hollywood productions, including the 1976 horror film “Carrie” and the TV series “Teen Wolf.” Actor Billy Crystal and his wife Janice lost their home of 45 years.

Other fires are also causing havoc

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Robert Lara, left, searches for belongings with his stepfather after the Eaton fire burns in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

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Firefighters look over a home after the Eaton Fire burns in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

Further inland, The Eaton fire north of Pasadena, more than 4,000 structures burned, which include homes, apartments or commercial buildings and vehicles. It also significantly damaged five school campuses in Altadena and burned more than 16.5 square miles (43 square kilometers). Staff at a senior center pushed dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds to a parking lot to escape.

The Los Angeles Fire Department issued evacuation orders Thursday afternoon for a new fire, dubbed the Kenneth Fire, that broke out near West Hills, a neighborhood densely packed with homes in the San Fernando Valley about 11 miles (18 kilometers) northwest of Pacific Palisades.

The Hurst fire, which started Tuesday night, prompted evacuations in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley and grew to 1 square mile (2.6 square kilometers).

And in Hollywood Hillsthe Sunset Fire broke out Wednesday night, burning near the Hollywood Bowl and other iconic landmarks. Firefighters were able to contain it to less than 1 square kilometer (2.6 square miles), and evacuation orders were lifted Thursday morning.

Together, the fires have consumed about 45 square miles (117 square kilometers) – about the size of San Francisco.

Biden approves additional funding

President Joe Biden said during a White House staff briefing Thursday that he was making federal resources available and authorizing additional funding to help California fight the fires, saying they were the “worst fires ever to hit Los Angeles. Ever.”

The new funding will cover 100% of the costs for 180 days of hazardous materials removal, temporary shelters, salaries for first responders and measures to protect life, he said.

Biden said he was unable to answer whether California will continue to receive federal funding to help fight the fires after President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20. “I pray to God they will,” Biden said.

Thousands have been ordered to evacuate

Nearly 180,000 people were under evacuation orders Thursday.

The flames threatened highly populated and wealthy neighborhoods, including Calabasas and Santa Monica, home to California’s rich and famous. Hollywood stars including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods were among those forced to flee, and Moore later said that she lost his home in Altadena.

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A plume of smoke from a wildfire forms over the city basin Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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Residents are evacuated from a senior living facility as the Eaton Fire approaches, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

Poor air quality affects millions

A thick one cloud of smoke and ash filled the sky, prompting air and dust advisories for 17 million people across a large swath of Southern California, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The worst conditions were near the fires. In East Los Angeles, the air quality index hit an unhealthy 173. Good air quality is considered 50 or less.

Dr. Puneet Gupta, the assistant medical director for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, said smoke from wildfires can cause heart attacks and worsen asthma, while burning homes can release cyanide and carbon dioxide.

Several events have been canceled and postponed

The Critics Choice Awards moved Sunday ceremonies in Santa Monica on January 26.

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The sun rises as the Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

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A man searches through his destroyed home after the Eaton fire in Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

The organization that awards the Academy Awards extended voting window for Oscar nominations and delayed next week’s scheduled announcement of nominations.

Film studios canceled two film premieres.

The Universal Studios Hollywood theme park closed for the day, but Disneyland, which is further away from the fires in Anaheim, remained open.

Universal Studios also canceled filming for several series, including “Hacks,” “Ted Lasso” and “Suits LA.”

All schools were closed Thursday in the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The NFL has moved the Los Angeles Rams’ wild-card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings to Arizona because of the fires. The game will be played on Monday night at the home of the Arizona Cardinals in suburban Glendale, Arizona.

The NBA postponed Lakers’ game against the Hornets, and the NFL said it is monitoring conditions to determine whether Monday’s playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings will be affected.

Many people are without electricity and water

More than 415,000 customers were without electricity in Southern California, about half of them in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.uswhich tracks outages nationwide.

Sewer, water and power infrastructure throughout the region has been significantly damaged, officials said.

Looters arrested

Looters who take advantage of the bushfire crisis by targeting vulnerable communities will be prosecuted, officials have promised. There have been at least 20 arrests.

“This is simply unacceptable,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Kathryn Barger. “I promise you, you will be held accountable.”

Officials planned to impose a curfew around the two main fires as early as Thursday evening, and members of the National Guard were expected to be stationed near fire areas.