Fires in Southern California continue to burn, with extreme weather endangering hundreds of thousands of residents more than a week after flames ignited in the hills of Los Angeles County. Officials are reporting 25 fatalities and say the number is expected to increase.
The cause of the fires is still under investigation, and firefighters were working tirelessly to control the flames on Jan. 14, while a strong wind warning was delayed until early the next morning and expected to last until mid-afternoon.
More than 5,000 firefighters are assigned to the Palisades Fire, and more than 3,000 are assigned to the fire near Eaton Canyon, he said, noting the numerous aircraft in operation, including water bombers and specialized military aircraft.
A plane borrowed from Canada that was damaged by a drone last week is now repaired and should resume operations on Jan. 14, according to the fire chief.
Santa Ana winds are expected to bring gusts as high as 70 miles per hour through Jan. 15.
“It’s going to be very difficult to contain that fire,” Marrone said.
Across the region, about 92,000 people remain under evacuation orders and another 82,000 are advised to prepare to evacuate.
To protect communities, the governor deployed 2,500 California National Guard members.
A law enforcement branch known as the Military Police Forces is controlling traffic and safeguarding neighborhoods.
Timeline of Events
The disaster began at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 7, according to Cal Fire, when a fire was reported in the hills between Santa Monica and Malibu.High winds gusting upward of 100 miles per hour quickly spread what became known as the Palisades Fire.
A couple of hours later, the fire had grown to 200 acres, and winds spread glowing embers throughout the area, creating spot fires that took hold in the dry vegetation.
Residents in the area were ordered to evacuate, and many have yet to return to see if their homes remain.
By nightfall, more than 3,000 acres had burned, and a week later, nearly 24,000 acres had been consumed. Cal Fire is reporting eight civilian fatalities, and that about 5,000 structures are damaged or destroyed.
In an area where houses average more than $3 million each, the coastal neighborhoods impacted by the fires include homes worth up to tens of millions of dollars that were destroyed.
The fire is reportedly 14 percent contained, and crews are working to secure homes around canyons that are in danger of burning during the current high-wind event.
Terrain continues to burn near Mandeville Canyon, with thousands of homes threatened.
Firefighters made significant progress in the Topanga Canyon area, with evacuation orders lifted for parts of Santa Monica and San Vicente.
Eaton Fire
Another blaze erupted at about 6:15 p.m. on Jan. 7 in the Altadena area of Los Angeles County. Known as the Eaton Fire, the disastrous inferno rapidly tore through neighborhoods.
As of the latest numbers, 16 civilian fatalities have been reported, and more than 7,000 structures are believed damaged or destroyed.
Status Update
Five other notable fires have impacted the area; the largest, known as the Hurst Fire, is 97 percent contained at 799 acres.Curfews remain in effect between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. for areas impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said there were 33 arrests in the Eaton area and six near Palisades for looting and other crimes. Two people were arrested for flying drones over restricted areas.
Power shutoffs continue for all areas impacted by fire, and road closures are prevalent across the region.
Officials are adamant that residents will not be allowed back into burned areas until all conditions are safe.
Currently, trees and utility lines are creating hazards in residential areas.
Additionally, law enforcement officials are canvassing scenes with cadaver dogs looking for victims.
The sheriff said more than 1,000 deputies are working 12-hour shifts, and there are nearly 200 California Highway Patrol officers and National Guard members assisting.
He recognized the frustration that some community members feel about not being able to go back and check on their homes but said he is prioritizing public safety and the integrity of any potential crime scenes.
“The conversation about repopulation is on all of our minds—we are hearing our community loud and clear,” Luna said. “We have people literally looking for the remains of your neighbors. Please be patient with us.”
One local fire official said all available resources are deployed and staffing is at maximum capacity.
“We are not in the clear, as of yet, and we must not let our guard down, as we have extreme fire behavior,” Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said during the briefing. “Follow all evacuation orders, without delay, and please, please stay safe.”
Dominic Choi, the Los Angeles Police Department assistant chief, said 26 people were reported missing in the city, although 17 were subsequently found and another is awaiting confirmation.
He said six remain missing after two were determined to have died because of the fires.
Countywide, law enforcement officials are looking for 23 missing persons, most related to the Eaton Fire, according to Luna.
Reports of price gouging for hotels and other goods and services are under investigation, according to Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
He warned those considering committing crimes in the emergency zones that his office will prosecute to the full extent of the law and highlighted charges in looting and arson cases announced on Jan. 13 as examples.
Looking Toward Recovery
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order on Jan. 12 suspending environmental reviews for permits to rebuild in impacted areas. The reviews mandated by the California Environmental Quality Act are known to hold up developments with costly compliance requirements.
“The executive order I signed today will help cut permitting delays, an important first step in allowing our communities to recover faster and stronger. I’ve also ordered our state agencies to identify additional ways to streamline the rebuilding and recovery process.”
Cutting bureaucratic red tape with waivers will benefit regions impacted by the fires, according to local officials.
“[These are] unprecedented actions that will be essential to making our community whole again,” Kathryn Barger, chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, said during the briefing. “It is our job in government to get out of the way. Our residents deserve nothing less.”
The governor issued another executive order to expedite the removal of debris and work to prevent mudslides and flooding in burned areas.
“California has been here before; we know what effective wildfire recovery requires, and we’re using that experience to move faster than ever to support those impacted by these devastating fires. The road ahead is difficult but California is doing all we can to help Los Angeles rebuild and move forward.”
More than 15,000 emergency responders and transportation workers are supporting the firefight.
Questions About Funding, Priorities
A decision to axe $101 million for wildfire prevention from the 2024–2025 state budget is a point of concern for some. The state was navigating a record deficit at the time.Some who have criticized prior budget decisions and policy guidelines are raising questions about what could have been done to better protect the community.
Republican state Assemblyman James Gallagher said greater transparency is needed in the insurance market and that the 80 percent reduction in wildfire prevention spending since 2021 is problematic.
“We’ve been through this too many times,” he said during a news conference. “We’re calling for immediate action on recovery but also on the real solutions that will help us be a stronger, more resilient state against catastrophic wildfire.”
After noting that seven of the top 12 insurance companies that operate in California have paused writing policies or left the state, state Sen. Shannon Grove said more must be done to protect the state’s residents.
Federal Government Responds
After Newsom declared a state of emergency soon after the first fires broke out, President Joe Biden approved the governor’s request for a presidential major disaster declaration, which unlocks federal funding and resources.It is unclear how the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump will manage the wildfire situation.
A spokesperson for Trump’s transition team told The Epoch Times that the administration will be focused on implementing policies meant to improve California’s access to water and reduce its fire risk.
