California fires updates: Death toll in Los Angeles fires rises to 24

Thousands of firefighters are battling the sprawling wildfires across LA.

At least 24 people are believed to be dead and more than a dozen others remain unaccounted for as multiple fires, fueled by severe drought conditions and strong Santa Ana winds, continue to rage across Southern California, leaving fire crews scrambling to contain the historic destruction.

Thousands of firefighters are battling several sprawling wildfires across 45 square miles of densely populated Los Angeles County. The largest, the Palisades Fire, in Pacific Palisades, has scorched nearly 24,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and is 11% contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 14,100 acres and is 27% contained. The Hurst Fire near Sylmar has burned 799 acres and is 89% contained.

About 105,000 people remain under mandatory evacuation orders and another 87,000 are under evacuation warnings.

Jan 24, 2025, 2:20 pm

Tracking ongoing California wildfires

The Palisades Fire, which began in the Pacific Palisades on Jan. 7, has destroyed or damaged more than 6,000 structures. It's covered more than 23,000 acres and is at 87% containment.

The Eaton Fire north of Pasadena also began on Jan. 7 and has destroyed or damaged more than 10,000 structures. It's burned over 14,000 acres and is at 95% containment.

Jan 10, 2025, 2:47 PM EST

Biden says death toll likely to increase

President Joe Biden said he expects the death toll from the fires to increase.

"It will increase, whether significantly or not, we don't know yet. There's still a lot of people around, accounting for," Biden said.

A partly melted car sits near burned-out homes destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., on Jan. 10, 2025.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

The president said the White House is coordinating with the incoming Trump administration on the federal response.

"Everything they know, every single thing we're doing about the report, the response. My hope is that they'll have -- at least acknowledge we have some significant experience in this, we've done really well on it. I’m praying that they continue the focus," he said.

In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, burned homes are seen from above during the Palisades fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jan. 9, 2025.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Biden said the Federal Emergency Management Agency has activated its critical needs assistance, which provides a one-time payment of $750 to survivors so they can quickly purchase critical items like water, formula, gas and prescription drugs.

"This is not going to be over, even when all the fires are out," Biden warned.

In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, homes burned from the Palisade fire smolder near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jan. 9, 2025.
Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

"We're going to need the United States Congress to follow up with appropriations to help provide for significant help," Biden said.

The president and Vice President Kamala Harris praised the work of first responders and Harris noted the moments of optimism amid the devastation.

"People looking out for each other, regardless of where they come from or who they voted for, they're looking out for each other and showing the best of the American spirit in a moment of crisis," Harris said.

-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart, Kelsey Walsh and Molly Nagle

Jan 10, 2025, 12:00 PM EST

Possible arson suspect identified by residents near Kenneth Fire

A man was detained by residents near the Kenneth Fire under suspicion of arson, but due to lack of probable cause he was not arrested or charged, Los Angeles police said Friday.

However, he was arrested on a felony probation violation, Los Angeles police said.

Jan 10, 2025, 11:57 AM EST

Curfew in place for all evacuated areas, violators will be arrested

A 12-hour curfew is in effect for all evacuated areas to protect the structures and prevent looting, Los Angeles officials said at a press conference Friday. Any violators of the curfew will be arrested.

"People may talk about no bail, but I assure you, if someone is caught you will not be cited and released -- you will be booked and go to jail," Los Angeles County Sherrif Robert Luna said at a press conference Friday.

Law enforcement will be strictly enforcing the curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., with exceptions allowed for disaster workers and credentialed media.

Jan 10, 2025, 11:43 AM EST

If you fly a drone, you’ll be prosecuted: DA

A super scooper plane fighting the Palisades Fire struck a drone on Thursday, leaving it out of commission until at least Monday as it gets repaired, officials said.

A helicopter flies over the Kenneth Fire, Jan. 9, 2025, in the West Hills section of Los Angeles.
Eric Thayer/AP

This was one of only two super scoopers available, officials said.

LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman warned that anyone flying a drone will be prosecuted.

"If you're thinking that it's fine to send a drone up in the area for your own amusement, or you want to get information that nobody else can get, and you do it in one of these areas that for which drones are not permitted … you will be arrested, you will be prosecuted and you will be punished to the full extent of the law," he said.

Overview of beachfront homes after fire swept along La Costa Beach, in Malibu, Calif., in a satellite image provided by MaxarTechnologies.
@MaxarTechnologies

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