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.
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 12, 2025, 6:58 AM EST
Southern California forecast shows 8 million people at fire risk
The pressing fire danger in Southern California will continue through Sunday with the critical fire risk zone covering an area encompassing more than 8 million people.
An ABC News graphic shows the fire forecast in Southern California on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025.
ABC News
The fire risk will stay critical for through Monday and likely into Tuesday and Wednesday, with no major relief in sight.
From Saturday night into Sunday morning, winds were in the 35-55 mph range, with some gusts reaching as high as 70 mph in the mountains surrounding Los Angeles.
An ABC News graphic shows the fire risk forecast in Southern California on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025.
ABC News
A red flag warning will remain in effect for much of southern California through Wednesday, with humidity as low as 10% and gusty Santa Ana winds up to 70 mph.
-ABC News' Dan Amarante
Jan 12, 2025, 5:43 AM EST
LA smoke warning extended into Sunday
The South Coast Air Quality Management District extended its smoke advisory into Sunday night amid continued concerns over air quality due to the ongoing wildfires in Southern California.
Smoke from the Palisades Fire rises over a ridge on Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Richard Vogel/AP
The warning was extended until 10 p.m. Sunday in fire affected areas, the district said in a press release.
"Smoke from the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire is expected to most heavily impact coastal and central Los Angeles County on Saturday and Sunday," it said, noting that PM2.5 levels may remain at unhealthy levels "in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Pasadena, downtown Los Angeles and areas nearby the fires."
PM2.5 is a fine particulate matter and air pollutant detrimental to human health when its levels are high.
Areas including Orange County, San Bernardino County and Riverside County could also see smoke effects, the release said, with PM2.5 reducing air quality to moderate or higher warning categories.
-ABC News' Marilyn Heck
Jan 12, 2025, 5:23 AM EST
Los Angeles curfew to be 'strictly' enforced
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it will "strictly enforce" a curfew in mandatory evacuation areas near the Palisades and Eaton wildfires.
Police officers in their vehicles hold a roadblock in Altadena, California, on Jan. 10, 2025.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
The curfew -- in place from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in affected areas -- is intended "for your protection and to allow emergency personnel to work effectively," the sheriff's department said in a post to X late on Saturday.
Police have reported more than 20 arrests in recent days.
-ABC News' Marilyn Heck
Jan 11, 2025, 9:57 PM EST
Firefighters work though the day as Palisades Fires pushes closer to Brentwood
The Palisades fire kept growing Saturday — coming dangerously close to the Brentwood neighborhood.
ABC News' Matt Rivers spent Saturday in Brentwood, following firefighters as they snaked hoses through the exclusive suburb, winding into the backyards of multi-million dollar homes replete with views of the Mandeville Canyon.
There was less wind and more firefighting resources available, Capt. Adam Van Gerpen told ABC News as flames crept closer and closer to the balcony of the mini-mansion where he stood.
A firefighter sets up a hose while fighting the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Eric Thayer/AP
"Right now, this is our biggest threat. This is where a fire is burning right up to homes," he said. "This is an all hands on deck."
The flames were shooting up the hill in bursts every time the wind blew, but nothing like the screaming hellscape Pacific Palisades saw days earlier. The windspeeds were low enough that well-positioned firefighters continued to battle back the flames each time they got too close.
Firefighters monitor the advance of the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Eric Thayer/AP
Spotting a nearby indoor pool, a couple of firefighters went in with a pump and started sending pool water through a hose to fight the fire below. The house aiding in its own defense -- firefighters using water no matter its source.
"Dude, get out of the canyon!" a firefighter frantically yelled to a man who was deep in the canyon’s shrubbery below using a garden hose in a fruitless attempt to tame the flames. He listened.
Firefighters line up for structure protection while battling the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Eric Thayer/AP
The other massive difference was air power. Drop after drop after drop, an unrelenting drumbeat of thrumming helicopter rotors and roaring jet engines made a visible difference on the hillside fires.
The result was keeping this fire under control, at least for now, and keeping this neighborhood standing. But that can all change if the winds come back. No one in this neighborhood feels ready to claim victory.
