Spots of the Eaton Fire still burn after the fire swept through the mountains of the Angeles National Forest near Mount Wilson Observatory, north of Pasadena, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP/Etienne Laurent)
- L.A. wildfires claim 10 lives, force 153,000 evacuations; six fires burn 36,620 acres, with Palisades and Eaton fires escalating.
- Palisades Fire destroys 85 structures, threatens 11,000 more, while Eaton Fire destroys 4,000 homes; both fires have caused fatalities.
- Local support grows as Merced, Mariposa counties deploy firefighting personnel to assist Southern California crews combating wildfires.
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As of Friday morning, wildfires in the Los Angeles area have claimed at least 10 lives and 153,000 residents evacuated, according to AP, with multiple fires still raging across the region.
According to CalFire, the fires — Sunset, Lidia, Hurst, Kenneth, Eaton, and Palisades — have scorched around 36,620 acres in total.
The Palisades Fire
The Palisades Fire remains one of the most destructive, currently burning 20,438 acres with only 8% containment. The fire has destroyed 85 structures, damaged 12, and threatens over 11,000 more.
At least two civilians have been killed in the Palisades Fire, which continues to spread due to wind-driven runs and topographic factors.
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Firefighters face challenging conditions, as strong winds and low humidity persist.
A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 6:00 PM on Friday, with critical fire weather conditions expected through the middle of next week, including a chance of strong Santa Ana winds on Tuesday.
The Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire, burning 13,956 acres, has destroyed at least 4,000 structures.
The fire is 3% contained and has claimed five lives. Firefighters have been working overnight to extinguish hotspots and protect structures, with aerial water drops focused on the northeast perimeter near Chantry Flats.
The Kenneth, Hurst, Lidia, and Sunset Fires
The Kenneth Fire, which has burned 1,000 acres, is 35% contained. All evacuation orders for the area were lifted on Thursday. The fire also caused confusion with emergency alerts, with a notification mistakenly sent countywide despite only affecting nearby areas.
The Hurst Fire, now at 771 acres and 37% contained, has been mostly contained north of the I-210 Foothill Freeway.
While some evacuation orders have been downgraded, authorities are warning residents to exercise extreme caution and avoid drinking water until cleared by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power.
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Meanwhile, the Lidia Fire, which started on January 8, has burned 395 acres and is 75% contained. Significant progress is being made as firefighters continue to battle the blaze.
The fire threat in the Los Angeles area remains high, and authorities urge residents to remain vigilant as fire crews work tirelessly to contain the blazes.
More Local Support to the Los Angeles Area
The Merced FOCUS reported Wednesday that multiple departments from Merced and Mariposa counties have joined various agencies in Southern California to combat the half dozen wildfires that have claimed lives and destroyed over 1,000 homes.
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Additionally, Merced Fire has deployed an Office of Emergency Services Type 6 engine, staffed with a fire captain, fire engineer, and firefighter.
The Merced FOCUS learned that approximately 60 to 80 personnel are assisting in the firefighting efforts.
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