What to Know
- Crews have gotten a better handle on the two largest fires in Los Angeles County.
- The Palisades Fire is now 43% contained at 23,700 acres. The Eaton Fire is 73% contained at 14,100 acres.
- As a result of the fires, the Medical Examiner's office believes 27 deaths are connected with the blazes.
- Thirty-one people are reported missing in connection with the fires.
- The Palisades and Eaton fires -- along with several smaller blazes -- have burned a combined 38,600 acres in Los Angeles County. See maps of the fires and evacuated areas here.
- With the fires having scorched some schools in their destructive path, many students not only lost their homes but were also displaced from their schools.
- Although firefighters have gotten a better containment on the fires and smoke is no longer visible, many residents still aren't allowed to return home. Here's an explanation why.
For continuing coverage of the fires, please follow along here.
Lawmakers tour destruction from Palisades Fire
Congressman Brad Sherman led a group of lawmakers through the wreckage left behind by the Palisades Fire Saturday.
With more than 4,300 homes and buildings destroyed, Sherman is calling on Congress to support all future bills for additional emergency aid
Latest acres burned, containment percentages on Eaton and Palisades fires
By Missael Soto
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 14: The death toll has risen to 25, according to the Los Angeles medical examiners in Los Angeles, California, United States on January 14, 2025. The latest victim, the 25th, died in the Eaton Fire, which has already claimed 17 lives. (Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Fire crews continue to build containment lines and assess the damages caused by the historic wildfires burning in Los Angeles County.
Palisades Fire:
- 23,713 acres burned
- 49% containment
- 628 structures damaged (residential, commercial and other)
- 3,857 structures destroyed (residential, commercial and other)
Eaton Fire
Investigators looking into the cause of Eaton Fire
By Jonathan Gonzalez
Investigators were seen scouring the hillside above Altadena looking for more clues as to what caused the Eaton Fire.
Newschopper4 spotted groups of people in Eaton Canyon near the same voltage transmission towers where witnesses say they saw the first flames.
Navajo Nation firefighters battle wildfires in Los Angeles
By John Locher | The Associated Press
Members of the Navajo Scouts firefighter crew kick up dust as they clear debris from a landslide across a road on a hillside as they battle the Eaton Fire, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025, in Altadena, Calif.
Firefighters from the Navajo Nation worked tirelessly through a haze of dust to cut away dirt from a narrow road at the side of a mountain struck by a landslide in Southern California, coughing and sneezing amid the backbreaking work.
It was the Navajo Scouts’ eighth straight day battling the Eaton Fire outside Los Angeles and their assignment Friday morning was two-fold: restore vehicle access to the mountain on the outskirts of Altadena and check on the fire damage to structures at the top.
The team of 23 crew members had traveled for two days to Southern California from the Navajo Scouts’ headquarters along the Arizona-New Mexico state line at Fort Defiance to join the fight against wildfires that have killed at least 27 people, destroyed more than 12,000 structures and put more than 80,000 under evacuation orders. The crew is one of several firefighting teams from Native American tribes and the Bureau of Indian Affairs battling the blazes.
The Navajo Scouts’ “initial attack” crew, which includes several elite hotshot-certified firefighters, have helped Los Angeles residents cut through landslides and mangled trees and worked to snuff out lingering “hot spot” fires.
Altadena bike shop burns down while owner was saving homes from Eaton Fire
By Macy Jenkins
A community is rallying around a man whose Altadena bike shop was burned down while he was out saving at least three homes from Eaton Fire. Macy Jenkins reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2025.
The owner of an Altadena bike shop is giving back to those impacted by the LA County wildfires even after losing his own business to the Eaton Fire.
Steve Salinas, owner of Steve's Bike Shop, was helping hose down the homes of his brother and Altadena neighbors while the Eaton Fire swept through his storefront.
“Tuesday night I got a call from my brother that there was a fire started in Eaton Canyon and we know the drill cause we’ve been through a few fires," said Salinas.
The business owner closed shop and headed two miles northeast towards the mountains with his son Raleigh to help protect his brother's home.
South Coast AQMD shares tips on how to keep a clean space during a wildfire
By Missael Soto
Damage assessment percentage grows for SoCal wildfires
By Missael Soto
A few homes remain intact in a neighborhood destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, California, US, on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.
Authorities continue to assess the damages from the Eaton and Palisades fires as containment grows.
Damage assessments have been completed in about 55% of the Palisades Fire area and 90% of the Eaton Fire area, according to officials.
Palisades Fire damage assessment:
- 628 structures damaged (residential, commercial and other)
- 3,857 structures destroyed (residential, commercial and other)
Homeowner talks rebuild process after losing home to wildfire years ago
By Hetty Chang
An Orange County man who lost his him nearly three years ago in the Laguna Niguel fire offered support and advice to recent wildfire victims. Hetty Chang reports for NBC4 at 4 p.m. on Jan. 17, 2025.
With the devastation still fresh for thousands of families who lost their homes to wildfires, they may not be ready to think about the rebuilding process, but one Orange County man is offering his support and advice after facing similar destruction.
Ramin Yazdi, who lost his Laguna Niguel home to the Coastal Fire, is still in the process of rebuilding nearly two and half years later.
As Yazdi walked through his Coronado Pointe neighborhood, the street was a mish-mash of homes in different stages of construction and a few empty lots too.
First responders receive free laundry service at Santa Monica laundromat
By Darsha Philips and Karla Rendon
Ocean Park Laundromat closed their services to the public to allow firefighters and first responders to clean their clothes for free, Friday and Saturday. Darsha Philips reports for the NBC4 News at 6 p.m. on January 18, 2025.
A Santa Monica laundromat offered free services to firefighters and first responders Friday and Saturday.
Ocean Park Laundromat closed to the public to allow emergency crews to do their laundry for free from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Owner Ben Khoe said hundreds of first responders flocked to his business on Friday.
“If they come off these hours, we still free washes if we’re around,” Khoe said. “Free wash and dry.”
The gesture of kindness was much appreciated by first responders.
No Doubt to reunite for FireAid benefit concert
By Karla Rendon
Pasadena will resume parking enforcement in commercial areas
By City News Service
Pasadena will resume parking enforcement in the city's business districts starting Tuesday, city officials said.
The announcement includes enforcement of parking meters, time limits in commercial areas, loading zones and surface lot paid parking in city lots in Playhouse Village and South Lake.
The city is developing a timeline for the resumption of enforcement in residential areas. Officials said overnight parking restrictions in residential areas and preferential parking restrictions areas will not be enforced until the end of January at the earliest.
Parking Enforcement personnel will continue to enforce all safety-related violations citywide including red flag violations, parking near fire hydrants, red zone/no parking zones and blocking driveways.
Ocean water advisory extended due to contaminated coast
By Karla Rendon
Firefighter learns wife is expecting triplets during Facetime call on firetruck
By Annette Arreola and Karla Rendon
Several firefighters who have been battling the brush fires in Los Angeles County will be relieved of their duties. A Kern County firefighter shares how he’s looking forward to returning home to his pregnant wife. Annette Arreola reports for Today in LA on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025.
As out-of-state emergency responders return home after lending a helping hand in battling the Eaton and Palisades Fires in Los Angeles County, one neighboring firefighter is returning home with the new excitement of expecting triplets.
Zachary Griffin of the Kern County Fire Department was deployed to LA County along with dozens of other firefighters from his department. He said he left as his pregnant wife was slated for her 12-week ultrasound, but the couple was prepared for his absence.
“We’ve been gearing up for twins for about a month now, so I knew when I left the station, there was a chance I was going to miss the ultrasound appointment,” Griffin said. “My wife and I knew I signed up to help people and we decided to do it over FaceTime.”
Griffin’s wife was accompanied by a friend, who called him via Facetime as he was in the firetruck. Things were going smoothly as expected until one thing was noticed.
Out of state firefighters heading back home
By Karla Rendon
Trump says he will ‘probably' travel to Los Angeles next week
By Alexandra Marquez | NBC News
Resources for replacing documents after LA County wildfires
By Missael Soto
The passport renewal backlog led to a woman’s private information exposed by the State Department. What NBC 5 Responds uncovered, and what you should know if you’re traveling out of state.
Among the many things lost in the Los Angeles County wildfires are important documents such as licenses and records that are needed when applying for FEMA assistance.
Those impacted by the wildfires can begin replacing those documents at a Disaster Recovery Center. Wildfire victims can find a recovery center in the locator provided by FEMA.
Additional resources for replacing documents:
- Driver’s License: The California Department of Motor Vehicles can help provide replacements for lost driver’s licenses, ID cards and vehicle titles. Visit CA DMV - Natural Disaster Assistance or call 1-800-777-0133.
- Birth, Death or Marriage certificates and Other Vital Records: The California Department of Public Health is working with those who have lost vital records as a result of the disaster. Birth, death, and marriage records should be requested from the county recorder’s office in the county where the event occurred.
- Social Security Cards: Contact the Social Security Administration online or you can visit your local Social Security office and fill out an application for a Social Security card in person with a valid ID.
- Passports: To report a lost U.S. Passport, you can do it online. Passport services personnel are also available at Disaster Recovery Centers.
Newsom reaches deal with banks for wildfire-related mortgage relief
By City News Service
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 13: Cal Fire search and rescue team look through for possible human remains in ashes of burned houses after massive wildfire in Altadena of Los Angeles County, California, United States on January 13, 2025. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Saturday announced that five major financial institutions will offer mortgage relief for property owners affected by the Los Angeles County wildfires.
Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo have committed to offer impacted homeowners a 90-day forbearance of their mortgage payments, without reporting these payments to credit reporting agencies, and the opportunity for additional relief.
"After so much trauma, we hope this deal will provide thousands of survivors a measure of relief," Newsom said. "These financial protections will enable residents to concentrate on taking care of their immediate needs rather than worrying about paying their mortgage bills. I thank each of the financial institutions that are offering this help for Californians recovering from this catastrophic firestorm."
The Governor's Office said Newsom is also engaging with other financial institutions and collaborating with external stakeholders such as the California Bankers Association, the California Credit Union League and the California Mortgage Bankers Association, which have expressed support for the relief efforts.
Free pet wellness clinic held in Culver City for wildfire victims
By Karla Rendon
A dog is evaluated by veterinarians on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025 thanks to a free wellness clinic for pets impacted by Los Angeles County’s wildfires.
A free pet wellness clinic was held Saturday to help pets impacted by the brush fires in Los Angeles County.
Pets from households affected by the Eaton Fire, Palisades Fire, or the smaller brush fires that occurred in the county were evaluated by licensed veterinarians at the clinic. If needed, pets were also vaccinated at no charge.
The assessments helped determine if household pets’ health was compromised by the fires.
Routine vaccines and parasite prevention were offered to up to 125 dogs and 50 cats, which was made possible by a donation from Zoetis.
Gusty offshore winds will return to SoCal next week
By David Biggar
Most gusts are expected to fall within the 40-50mph range, with isolated gusts of 50-60mph in the mountains. Southern California would get a “break” for Wednesday (lighter Santa Ana Winds) before the gusts pick up again for Wednesday night into Thursday.
This is not as strong as the Jan 6-7 windstorm. One of the concerns for this Santa Ana Wind is the extremely dry air: humidities may drop down into single digits, with a few spots possibly below 5%.
IMPACTS
- Possible downed trees & powerlines
- Power outages (both planned & unplanned) possible
- If a fire starts, extreme and erratic fire behavior
- Gusty crosswinds, a threat to high profile vehicles near passes (like trucks)
Fire-impacted homeowners advised to work with licensed contractors, CSLB says
By Elizabeth Chavolla
Eusebio Maldonado es buscado por las autoridades en el Condado Harris,.
The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) urges homeowners impacted by the wildfires to work with licensed contractors for any type of repair or construction.
“After a disaster, homeowners are vulnerable to scams and poor workmanship,” said CSLB Registrar David Fogt. “Licensed contractors have proven qualifications that help ensure they can perform safe and reliable work.”
The CSLB adds that any repair or construction project costing more than $1000, including labor and materials, should done by a licensed contractor.
The CSLB has a list of licensed contractors, which homeowners can find here.
Palisades Fire is 39% contained: Cal Fire
By NBC Staff
Angeles National Forest to remain closed through Jan 24.
By NBC Staff
Texas sends emergency management personnel to California
By Dennis Romero | NBC News
Museums in Pasadena and Griffith Park reopen; The Autry is free this weekend
Many museums across Southern California temporarily closed after the fires that began Jan. 7.
Some, including the Gamble House and Pasadena Museum of History, are located under five miles from the Eaton Fire; the Autry Museum of the American West was also within five miles of the Sunset Fire in Hollywood.
Now cultural favorites are beginning to reopen, with a special eye on giving families a place to retreat to, at least for a few hours.
Mayor appoints LA wildfires chief recovery officer
By Jonathan Lloyd
Former LA Police Commission President and longtime civic leader Steve Soboroff has been appointed to lead the city's wildfires rebuilding effort, Mayor Karen Bass said in a Friday announcement.
"I know that he will help lead us on a path forward," Bass said.
Soboroff will be faced with leading the city's rebuilding efforts following two of the most destructive wildfires on record in California. He will be charged, among other things, with developing a plan that will include executive directives that are expected to be issued next week to expedite the rebuilding process, Bass said.
Soboroff, a real estate developer who raised his family in the Pacific Palisades, also organized the California Science Center's transportation and installation of the Space Shuttle Endeavor exhibit. He was an advisor to Mayor Richard Riordan during the Northridge earthquake and served on the Los Angeles Board of Recreation and Park Commissioners and Harbor Commission.
