Live Updates: Deadly California wildfires force evacuations, destroy over 1,000 structures
The Los Angeles metro in Southern California is in defense mode as deadly and catastrophic wildfires rage across the region. At least five people have been killed, and that number is expected to rise. Tens of thousands of residents have been told to evacuate as crews work to contain the wildfires.
How to help
Hundreds of American Red Cross volunteers are helping southern California residents.
The organization is making sure everyone has a safe place to shelter and no one faces the disaster alone.
If you need help, reach out to the their helpline at 1-800-985-5990.
The American Red Cross also is looking for donations. To donate click on the link or scan the QR code: https://www.foxweather.com/lifestyle/fox-corporation-donates-1-million-how-to-help-victims-california-wildfires-red-cross
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The Sunset Fire, which burned dozens of acres near the Hollywood Hills Wednesday night, is fully contained, according to Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
"Thanks to the bravery and collaboration of our (Los Angeles Fire Department), the Sunset Fire is fully contained," Bass said in a post on X. "If you are returning home, please drive SLOWLY and watch the road."
The Los Angeles Lakers' NBA matchup against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night has been postponed, the team announced Thursday morning.
"Tonight's game will be rescheduled to focus on what matters most today," the team said in a post on social media. "We're with you, LA."
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Kings' NHL matchup against Calgary scheduled for Wednesday was also postponed due to the wildfires.
A shocking video recorded by FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray shows the aftermath of the Palisades Fire that burned through parts of the Los Angeles metro area.
At least five people are confirmed dead, but officials say that number will continue to rise.
This image is from video shot by FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray showing the aftermath of the Palisades Fire.
Officials with the U.S. Forest Service said that Angeles National Forest will be closed until at least Jan. 15 due to the ongoing wildfire threat in the Los Angeles area.
Anyone who violates that order will be subject to fines or imprisonment.
Complete coverage of the California wildfires.
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES - JANUARY 09: Fire destroys buildings and vegetation as flames rage across Los Angeles, California, United States on January 09, 2025.
The city of Santa Monica issued an emergency order due to the impacts of the devastating Palisades Fire.
That order includes a curfew, from sunset to sunrise, in areas where mandatory evacuations are in effect.
Officials say that is to support law enforcement efforts in those zones.
“The Palisades Fire is currently impacting neighborhoods in the northern part of Santa Monica with approximately 2,472 households under a mandatory evacuation order within the city of Santa Monica and 8,338 under a voluntary evacuation warning,” Mayor Lana Negrete said in a statement. “This emergency order further assists our first responders and further protects residents as we weather this regional crisis and, ultimately, begin and support recovery efforts.”
At a news conference on Thursday morning, officials said that “thousands” of structures had been destroyed by the wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area, but that doesn’t necessarily mean homes and commercial buildings.
CAL Fire said that “thousands of structures” also means vehicles that have been destroyed, as well as out buildings.
When it’s safe to do so, crews will catalog the destruction and the number of homes and businesses destroyed will be updated.
For complete coverage of the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area, click here.
A destructive wind event, possibly the strongest to hit the LA Basin in 14 years, is fueling catastrophic fires across Southern California. (Photo: Robert Ray)
Officials held a news conference in Los Angeles on Thursday morning to provide updates on the catastrophic wildfires burning in the region.
No officials update to the death toll was provided, but officials said "the death toll will rise."
Check out complete coverage here.
In a post on X, President Joe Biden said he would address the nation about the ongoing fight to contain and extinguish a series of deadly wildfires that have been ravaging the Los Angeles area.
“Later today, following President Carter’s service, I will convene my team for another briefing, and deliver remarks to the nation regarding our response,” he said in the post.
Click here for complete coverage.
US President Joe Biden and California Governor Gavin Newsom speak during a briefing from CalFire officials on the Palisades wildfire at Santa Monica Fire Station #5 in California on January 8, 2025.
Homes and businesses have been destroyed.
Intense heat has melted cars.
Lives have been turned upside down.
A series of deadly and devastating wildfires are continuing to ravage the Los Angeles area, and daylight is now revealing the scope of the devastation.
Check out the full report from FOX Weather Meteorologist Marissa Torres.
This photo comes from the full report from FOX Weather Meteorologist Marissa Torres in Pacific Palisades, California, as deadly wildfires ravage the Los Angeles area.
Uber has announced that it is providing help to residents who have been told to evacuate the fires raging in the Los Angeles area.
Company officials said rides up to $40 would be provided to get people to shelters.
Firefighters continue battling Palisades fire as flames rage across Los Angeles, California, United States on January 09, 2025. (Photo by Official Flickr Account of CAL FIRE / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The California National Guard is also helping to contain and extinguish the fires raging across the Los Angeles area.
In a post on X, officials said crews have been deployed, and military police, helicopters and other aircraft are assisting.
CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES - JANUARY 8: Pacific Palisades residents seen walking through a shopping plaza after escaping the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California, Los Angeles, United States on January 8, 2025. A fast-moving wildfire has forced 30,000 people to evacuate, with officials warning that worsening winds could further escalate the blaze. (Photo by Jon Putman/Anadolu via Getty Images)
In a Facebook post, the Pasadena Humane Society said it has already taken in more than 300 animals due to evacuations from devastating and deadly wildfires in Southern California.
The organization said staff and volunteers are working nonstop with care, as many of the animals are suffering from burns and other injuries.
Check out our full coverage of the wildfires in the Los Angeles area.
This image provided by the Pasadena Humane Society in California shows a dog that is recovering from one of the wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area
The catastrophic and deadly wildfires that has devastated communities in the Los Angeles area are raging for a third day as crews continue their relentless assault to contain the fires and douse the flames.
At least five people have been killed in the wildfires, and officials say that number is expected to rise.
In addition, numerous homes and businesses have been destroyed, residents have been told to flee and hundreds of thousands of utility customers are without power.
FOX Weather is providing continuous updates from our team across the region.
This graphic shows team coverage of the deadly and devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area
A new wildfire broke out in Los Angeles overnight forcing officials to evacuate new areas of the region as flames threatened new homes and businesses.
This now brings the total number of wildfires in the Los Angeles to five, and thousands of firefighters are continuing their heroic efforts to try and beat back the flames and protect whatever they can.
At least five people have been killed and more than 340,000 utility customers are without power. Tens of thousands of residents have been told to immediately evacuate as the fires destroyed homes across the region.
A man pours water on a house destroyed from the Eaton Fire in the Altadena neighborhood on January 08, 2025 in PASADENA, CALIFORNIA. (Photo by Nick Ut/Getty Images)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that more than 7,500 firefighting and emergency personnel have been deployed in an effort to protect communities from several wildfires that have been raging in the Los Angeles area.
Pres. Joe Biden has also approved Newsom's request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration.
California Governor Gavin Newsom surveys damage in during the Palisades Fire on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, CA. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
A catastrophic situation is continuing to unfold in the Los Angeles area as tens of thousands of resident flee for safety as several wildfires continue to destroy anything and everything in their path.
Here are the latest numbers on acreage burned and containment:
Palisades Fire: 17,234 acres, 0% containment
Eaton Fire: 10,600 acres, 0% containment
Hurst Fire: 855 acres, 10% containment
Lidia Fire: 348 acres, 40% containment
Sunset Fire: 43 acres, 0% containment
Firefighters continue battling Palisades fire as flames rage across Los Angeles, California, United States on January 09, 2025. (Photo by Official Flickr Account of CAL FIRE / Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images)
FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray is in Pacific Palisades as several wildfires rage in the Los Angeles area.
Ray says he has seen firefighters trying to douse the flames with water as residents flee for safety and thick smoke fills the air.
Check out full coverage on the Los Angeles metro wildfires here.
Thousands of wildfires from across Southern California are continuing their efforts to contain and extinguish several wildfires that broke out in the Los Angeles area.
At least five people have been killed, and tens of thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes for safety.
Live Coverage begins here