Deaths from California wildfires expected to increase as fires continue to devastate Los Angeles
The infernos' full-blown assault from once-hurricane-force winds ignited five major fires across the region, scorching over 29,000 acres of land. More than 293,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate as the region's relentless enemy continues to consume everything in its path.
'At a loss for words': Melted cars, charred homes seen in Pacific Palisades after devastating wildfire
FOX Weather Meteorologist Marissa Torres reports from Pacific Palisades on the devastation left in the wake of a catastrophic firestorm that has destroyed parts of the Los Angeles metro.
LOS ANGELES – The apocalyptic and deadly wildfires ravaging Southern California remain extremely volatile Thursday as a terrifying third day of a critical fire weather threat grips much of Los Angeles County, and officials say that the ongoing fires are a crisis.
At least five people have been killed, and the human cost of the disaster is likely to increase significantly in the days and weeks ahead.
"We're working with our coroner's office to figure out those numbers, so be patient with us when you ask us about death toll numbers right now," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. "Frankly, we don't know yet. We eventually will."
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is at the scene of burned-down homes from the Palisades Fire, northwest of Los Angeles, and reportedly has found human remains in the rubble.
Charred remains of homes seen in Pacific Palisades after deadly California wildfires
FOX Weather's Robert Ray recorded this video of the aftermath of the Palisades Fire that ripped through parts of the Los Angeles metro area.
The infernos' full-blown assault from once-hurricane-force winds ignited five major fires across the region, scorching over 29,000 acres of land. More than 293,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate as the region's relentless enemy continues to consume everything in its path. The cause of the fires is unknown at this time, according to officials.
The economic toll of these fires is staggering. Initial estimates place the damage costs at around $52 billion, potentially making this the costliest wildfire event in U.S. history.
LIVE UPDATES: DEADLY CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES FORCE EVACUATIONS, DESTROY OVER 2,000 STRUCTURES
Watch: Devastating, deadly Los Angeles area wildfires seen from above
A video shared by the Orange County Fire Authority shows deadly and destructive wildfires raging in the Los Angeles area on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said more than 7,500 firefighting and emergency personnel have been deployed to protect the state. President Joe Biden has also approved Newsom’s request for a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to support ongoing response efforts to combat the relentless advance of five monstrous blazes – the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia and Sunset fires – each fueled by the most ferocious Santa Ana winds in over 14 years.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reported late Thursday morning that the Sunset Fire was fully contained after burning 43 acres and prompting evacuations in the Hollywood Hills.
"We are putting all available resources behind fighting these wildfires, including leveraging local and federal assets," Newsom said. "California has thousands of boots on the ground working to combat these fires. The state is leaving no stone unturned to protect California communities."
Devastation seen in Malibu after deadly California wildfires
FOX Weather's Robert Ray recorded this video in Malibu, California, after wildfires swept through the area.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department reports that the Palisades Fire has destroyed more than 1,000 structures, while the Eaton Fire has damaged or destroyed an additional 1,000. This includes numerous homes, businesses and schools reduced to ash, making it the county's most destructive fire on record.
The Los Angeles Unified School District confirmed at least two elementary schools and a high school were either damaged or destroyed in the flames. All schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, and the district said it will continue assessing the situation over the next 24 hours and prepare for the possibility of online learning on Friday.
Storm chaser forced to flee flames in Los Angeles County
Professional storm chaser Tanner Charles Schaaf and his friend were both forced to flee fires that engulfed their neighborhood.
"The confluence of factors – wind, fire and smoke – have created dangerous, complex situations that present unsafe conditions for our school communities," district administrators said.
BEFORE AND AFTER IMAGES SHOW THE EXTENT OF WILDFIRE DAMAGE AROUND LOS ANGELES
![A destructive wind event, possibly the strongest to hit the LA Basin in 14 years, is fueling catastrophic fires across Southern California.]()
Image 1 of 24A destructive wind event, possibly the strongest to hit the LA Basin in 14 years, is fueling catastrophic fires across Southern California. (Robert Ray)
![A destructive wind event, possibly the strongest to hit the LA Basin in 14 years, is fueling catastrophic fires across Southern California.]()
Image 2 of 24A destructive wind event, possibly the strongest to hit the LA Basin in 14 years, is fueling catastrophic fires across Southern California. (Robert Ray)
![A destructive wind event, possibly the strongest to hit the LA Basin in 14 years, is fueling catastrophic fires across Southern California.]()
Image 3 of 24A destructive wind event, possibly the strongest to hit the LA Basin in 14 years, is fueling catastrophic fires across Southern California. (Robert Ray)
![A destructive wind event, possibly the strongest to hit the LA Basin in 14 years, is fueling catastrophic fires across Southern California.]()
Image 4 of 24A destructive wind event, possibly the strongest to hit the LA Basin in 14 years, is fueling catastrophic fires across Southern California. (Robert Ray)
![A destructive wind event, possibly the strongest to hit the LA Basin in 14 years, is fueling catastrophic fires across Southern California.]()
Image 5 of 24A destructive wind event, possibly the strongest to hit the LA Basin in 14 years, is fueling catastrophic fires across Southern California. (Robert Ray)
![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)]()
Image 6 of 24Firefighters 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) ( )
![CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES - JANUARY 8: A house in on fire as residents try to escape the site 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 Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)]()
Image 7 of 24CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES - JANUARY 8: A house in on fire as residents try to escape the site 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 Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images) ( )
![Image showing the remnants of a neighborhood north of Los Angeles]()
Image 8 of 24Image showing the remnants of a neighborhood north of Los Angeles (Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies)
![Image showing the remnants of a neighborhood north of Los Angeles]()
Image 9 of 24Image showing the remnants of a neighborhood north of Los Angeles (Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies)
![Image showing the remnants of a neighborhood north of Los Angeles]()
Image 10 of 24Image showing the remnants of a neighborhood north of Los Angeles (Satellite image ©2025 Maxar Technologies)
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Image 11 of 24First photo of the Sunrise Fire in the Hollywood Hills area (AlertCA)
![Embers fly toward Komarovsk, sending her back into her vehicle.]()
Image 12 of 24Embers fly toward Komarovsk, sending her back into her vehicle. (Annestacia Komarovsk via Storyful)
![One of the burning structures Komarovsk sees during her evacuation.]()
Image 13 of 24One of the burning structures Komarovsk sees during her evacuation. (Annestacia Komarovsk via Storyful)
![Powerful Winds Fuel Multiple Fires Across Los Angeles Area]()
Image 14 of 24PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - JANUARY 8, 2025 - - A play area shoulders at the Palisades Elementary Charter School in Pacific Palisades on January 8, 2025. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
![Powerful Winds Fuel Multiple Fires Across Los Angeles Area]()
Image 15 of 24PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - JANUARY 8, 2025 - - The fire ravaged Palisades Elementary Charter School in Pacific Palisades on January 8, 2025. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
![Powerful Winds Fuel Multiple Fires Across Los Angeles Area]()
Image 16 of 24PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - JANUARY 8, 2025 - - The fire ravaged Palisades Elementary Charter School in Pacific Palisades on January 8, 2025. (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
![PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - January 08: Peter Duke takes a picture of Palisades Charter Elementary School during the Palisades Fire on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, CA.]()
Image 17 of 24PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - January 08: Peter Duke takes a picture of Palisades Charter Elementary School during the Palisades Fire on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, CA. (Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register )
![Fires have consumed thousands of structures in Southern California.]()
Image 18 of 24( )
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Image 19 of 24A building burns during the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, on January 8, 2025. Rampaging wildfires around Los Angeles have killed at least two people, officials said January 8 as terrifying blazes leveled whole streets, torching cars and houses in minutes. More than 1,000 buildings have burned in multiple wildfires that have erupted around America's second biggest city, forcing tens of thousands of people from their homes. (Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
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Image 20 of 24LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 8: A firefighter battles the Palisades Fire while it burns homes at Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. The fast-moving wildfire has grown to more than 2900-acres and is threatening homes in the coastal neighborhood amid intense Santa Ana Winds and dry conditions in Southern California. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
![Homes burn in Palisades Fire]()
Image 21 of 24PACIFIC PALISADES, CA - January 08: Homes burn above Pacific Coast Highway near Will Rodgers State Beach 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)
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Image 22 of 24CALIFORNIA, 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) ( )
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Image 23 of 24MALIBU, CA - January 08: A Tesla is melted into the street above Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, CA on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. High winds escalated the spread of several blazes across Southern California. (Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images) ( )
![MALIBU, CA - January 08: Beachfront homes go up in flames along Pacific Coast Highway near Carbon Canyon in Malibu, CA on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. High winds escalated the spread of several blazes across Southern California.]()
Image 24 of 24MALIBU, CA - January 08: Beachfront homes go up in flames along Pacific Coast Highway near Carbon Canyon in Malibu, CA on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. High winds escalated the spread of several blazes across Southern California. (Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images) (David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News)
Reported water shortages, communication challenges hinder Palisades Fire
The monstrous Palisades Fire ignited in the Santa Monica Mountains late Tuesday morning and exploded in a fury, consuming more than 17,200 acres as of the last check, according to CAL FIRE.
Watch: California man burned trying to save home engulfed in Palisades Fire
A video shared on Tuesday shows a man using a garden hose to extinguish a home engulfed in flames, before then becoming swallowed up in the flames himself.
FOX News Senior National Correspondent William La Jeunesse reported from the heart of the Palisades on Thursday, highlighting the critical issue of water shortages, with reports of depleted water tanks hindering firefighting efforts. While the Department of Water and Power (DWP) denies these claims, residents have been advised to boil tap water due to potential contamination.
"L.A. County and all 29 fire departments in our county are not prepared for this type of widespread disaster," Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone told reporters at a news conference Wednesday. "There are not enough firefighters in L.A. County to address four separate fires of this magnitude."
WATCH: LOS ANGELES HOME COLLAPSES LIVE ON FOX WEATHER AS WILDFIRES RAGE IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
(FOX Weather)
Communication challenges further complicate the situation. Power outages and disrupted cell service have left many residents isolated and unable to contact loved ones.
Elon Musk has pledged to provide Starlink satellite internet service to affected areas, offering a lifeline for communication. DWP said it had restored power to more than 150,000 of its 1.5 million electric customers since the start of the firestorm.
CALIFORNIA MAN SCORCHED BY FLAMES TRYING TO SAVE NEIGHBORHOOD BURNING IN PALISADES FIRE
(FOX Weather)
Eaton Fire: Fatalities rise amid ongoing search, rescue efforts
The Eaton Fire, burning near Pasadena in the Angeles National Forest and Los Angeles' San Gabriel Valley, has claimed five lives. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said a significant number of injuries have also been reported.
Search and rescue teams, including K-9 units, are actively searching for any additional victims. Authorities said four firefighters have been injured in the uncontained blaze, which threatens more than 39,000 structures.
Here's an infrared satellite image in Altadena, California, on Thursday, January 9, 2024.
(MAXAR / FOX Weather)
The fire broke out shortly after 6:15 a.m. Tuesday near Eaton Canyon in Pasadena. Crews continue to fight aggressively, as the fire advances one mile into the Altadena community. At last check, 972 structures had been destroyed and another 84 damaged in the area. However, the exact number is not known, and damage inspection specialists have been ordered.
Pasadena nursing home evacuated as Eaton Fire rages on
Residents from a nursing home in Pasadena, California, were evacuated late Tuesday night as the Eaton Fire threat raged on. The fire has since exploded in size, fueled by strong winds.
Gusty winds continue on Thursday but are significantly lower than in the past 48 hours. Strong winds are expected to return Friday.
Long-duration Fire Weather Warnings remain in effect for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Thursday, with Fire Weather Watches posted from Thursday night into Friday.