Palisades Fire Spreads Across 20,000 Acres in California, Total Deaths From Wildfires Reach 7

The Palisades Fire, which is one of five active wildfires currently raging in Los Angeles County, has expanded to nearly 20,000 acres as of Thursday, according to local authorities.

By Sheenu Gupta On Jan 10, 2025 Share with new partner:

As the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, and Sunset fires rage on, causing widespread devastation across Los Angeles, Mayor Karen Bass is facing growing criticism. Concerns have been raised over her decision to reduce the Los Angeles Fire Department’s budget by more than $17 million, a move that some argue may have hindered the department’s ability to effectively respond to such catastrophic events. Additionally, her decision to travel to Ghana while the region is under a red flag warning has drawn backlash from residents and officials alike, further fueling the scrutiny surrounding her leadership during this crisis.

Meanwhile, the causes of the fires are still being investigated by Los Angeles authorities, who are working to determine the factors behind these raging blazes that have already caused significant damage and loss of life. As the fires continue to threaten the region, public pressure on the city’s leadership grows.

At least 10 people have been confirmed dead in the wildfires that have devastated Los Angeles County, according to the medical examiner’s office. The remains of those who perished are still being identified, and next of kin have not yet been notified. Due to the ongoing fire conditions and safety concerns, the identification process may take several weeks, as the Department of Medical Examiner has been unable to reach all death sites.

Earlier reports indicated that two people had died in the Palisades Fire and four in the Eaton Fire, though it is unclear whether these six fatalities are included in the 10 confirmed deaths released by the medical examiner’s office.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has warned that the situation is still unfolding, with the fires continuing to burn. He noted that the information is fluid and that authorities are unsure how many lives may have been lost. A final death toll will not be determined until homicide investigation teams are able to safely access the affected areas.

Sue Kohl, president of the Pacific Palisades Community Council, said she believes her neighbors will want to restore their fire-ravaged community.

“To get this community back up and running, I think everybody has the will,” Kohl said. “We just need to figure out the way.”

Kohl said the community will need all hands on deck, as well as help from the city, state and federal governments.

“We just ask for prayers and support from everybody, really. We have to figure out a way,” Kohl said.

Marika Erdely, a longtime resident of Pacific Palisades and CEO of Green Econome, an energy sustainability company, received extraordinary news today: her home on Wakecrest Drive had survived the devastating fires that have ravaged the area. Yesterday, through the Ring security camera at the back of her house, Erdely could see that her property seemed untouched, even though homes on both sides were engulfed in flames. Today, she received confirmation that her home had not been destroyed.

“It’s just amazing,” Erdely said from her daughter’s home in Santa Monica. While she was relieved, she wasn’t celebrating. “It’s just horrible. My street and the other houses are gone. Two of my best friends’ homes are gone. Almost all the homes on my street are gone. It’s a war zone.”

Yesterday, Erdely had clung to the hope that the fires would somehow bypass her property. The fact that her house remained intact, with minimal damage, felt almost too good to be true. “It’s really unbelievable, surreal,” she said.

Erdely described her tight-knit community of 400 homes, many built in the 1960s, as incredibly special. “It’s an amazing neighborhood perched on a bluff with views of the Pacific Ocean. You don’t leave this place unless you divorce or die. Everyone knows everyone.”

As firefighting crews continue to fight the fierce Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County, the full extent of its destruction is becoming clearer two days after the massive blaze began. Drone footage reveals a neighborhood devastated by the fire, with entire streets of homes and buildings reduced to nothing but ash. Thick smoke still lingers over the area, which was once home to sprawling mansions and some of the nation’s wealthiest residents.

Firefighters have successfully halted the forward spread of the Kenneth Fire, which erupted in Los Angeles this afternoon before quickly growing to more than 900 acres and spreading into Ventura County, according to local fire officials. Initially, mandatory evacuation orders were issued due to the fire’s rapid expansion, fueled by strong winds. However, those orders have now been downgraded to evacuation warnings.

The fire started around 2:40 p.m. in the West Hills area of Los Angeles, close to the Ventura County border. The region is experiencing dry conditions that are heightening the risk of wildfires, with several large fires currently burning throughout the city and surrounding areas.

Winds picked up again today, creating difficult conditions for firefighting efforts across Southern California. The combination of strong winds and low humidity has kept the region at a high fire risk. According to the Los Angeles office of the National Weather Service, winds are expected to intensify tonight, and red flag warnings remain in effect across parts of Southern California through tomorrow.

The weather service warned of moderate to strong Santa Ana winds tonight, which will keep the fire weather threat focused on Los Angeles and Ventura Counties into Friday morning. However, the danger doesn’t end on Friday, as offshore winds are expected to persist into early next week, peaking on Sunday and again on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Additionally, parts of Riverside and San Diego counties are facing an increased risk of wildfires tomorrow. The weather service forecasts winds with localized gusts reaching up to 60 mph, combined with very dry conditions, creating an environment conducive to rapid wildfire ignitions and spread.

Evacuation orders for the Kenneth Fire, which started today in the West Hills area of Los Angeles and has spread to nearly 1,000 acres, have been downgraded. The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) announced that mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted, but evacuation warnings remain in effect, urging residents to be prepared to leave if necessary. A map detailing the affected regions in Los Angeles is available.

The fire began around 2:40 p.m. local time and quickly spread into Ventura County. By 7:30 p.m. local time, the fire had reached approximately 960 acres and was still 0% contained, according to Ventura County officials.

A video shows first responders at the Kenneth Fire using water from Pepperdine University’s recycled water irrigation reservoir to assist firefighters on the ground. Governor Newsom shared the footage on social media, highlighting how multiple water refills were made in just a few minutes to support firefighting efforts.

Over 300 animals have been relocated to Pasadena Humane as part of the fire evacuation efforts in Southern California, the organization reported on Facebook. Staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to care for the animals, many of which have sustained burns and injuries. Some are receiving intensive care, including pain medications, wound treatment, fluids, and oxygen as needed.

Pasadena Humane is urging evacuees to bring their pets with them whenever possible. In a recent update, the organization shared images of a white dog whose fur was covered in ash from the fires. Additionally, many of the animals being brought in are orphaned and suffering from smoke inhalation.

To prioritize the care of the injured animals, Pasadena Humane has sent animals already in its shelter to other facilities. The San Diego Humane Society is assisting by helping evacuate pets impacted by the fires. In response to a request from Pasadena Humane, San Diego Humane took 15 to 20 adoptable dogs from Pasadena and brought them to San Diego, where they will be available for adoption.