Los Angeles: Firefighters are making an all-out effort to prevent the Palisades fire from spreading into Los Angeles’ Brentwood neighborhood, one of the city’s most exclusive areas. The fire has already scorched nearly 23,000 acres and is only 11% contained.
Aerial crews have been using water and fire retardant to try to hold back the flames, which have now expanded an additional 1,000 acres and are threatening to engulf Mandeville Canyon, prompting evacuation orders for the area.
The fire has already claimed at least 16 lives, with 11 deaths linked to the Eaton fire and five to the Palisades fire.
LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath described the situation as “unimaginable terror and heartbreak,” as the fires continue to wreak havoc on the region. Winds are expected to pick up again, further fanning the flames.
Among the areas at risk is the Getty Center, a hilltop museum housing priceless artwork, including masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, and Rembrandt. The museum remains undamaged so far.
The Eaton fire, the second-largest blaze, has burned over 14,000 acres and is 15% contained. Two smaller fires, the Kenneth and Hurst fires, have been mostly contained. However, the National Weather Service warns that the gusty Santa Ana winds will continue to intensify.
Firefighters on the frontlines of keeping Angelenos safe are continuing their extraordinary efforts.
Here is the latest on their progress.
Palisades Fire: 11% contained
Eaton Fire: 15% contained
Hurst Fire: 76% contained
Kenneth Fire: 80% contained
Sunset Fire: knocked down…— Mayor Karen Bass (@MayorOfLA) January 11, 2025
So far, approximately 153,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders, with another 166,000 warned they may also need to flee. The political fallout has already begun, as Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into why some fire hydrants ran dry and why a key reservoir was out of service.
LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley voiced frustration over the hydrant shortage, adding that city budget cuts had left over 100 fire apparatuses out of service.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who faced criticism for attending the inauguration of Ghana’s president while the fires raged, addressed her differences with Fire Chief Crowley, stating that their focus was on saving lives and that any disagreements would be worked out privately.
The fires have spurred a surge in security measures, with more than 70,000 people signing a petition calling for the mayor’s resignation.
A sunset-to-sunrise curfew has been enforced in evacuation zones to prevent looting, and approximately 1,680 National Guard troops have been deployed to support firefighting efforts and ensure safety. The authorities have also made several arrests for burglary, looting, and curfew violations.
As rescue operations continue, cadaver dogs and search teams are combing through destroyed neighborhoods, with the death toll expected to rise once house-to-house searches are completed.
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