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.
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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.
13 missing, 11 dead in LA County
At least 13 people are missing and 11 are dead in Los Angeles County as the fires continue to burn.
It remains unknown if any of the missing persons are included in the death count.
The sheriff's department has committed 40 members of its specialized search and rescue teams to work jointly with our partners at Los Angeles County Fire urban search and rescue team with the corners office for LA County, FEMA, the Office of Emergency Services and the use of cadaver dogs to search for remains and reunite families.
27 arrests in Palisades, Eaton Fires
Twenty-seven people were arrested amid the Palisades and Eaton Fire areas, most of them people who were not where they were supposed to be, county and city officials said.
"They had no business being there," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna told reporters on Saturday about the people arrested.
Twenty-two people were arrested by LA County while five others were arrested by the city.
Those arrested include two people who were arrested and booked for curfew violations. Most of the arrests were for burglary, looting and possession of narcotics.
Palisades Fire reaches 11% containment, currently covering nearly 22,000 acres
The Palisades Fire has reached 21,596 acres with 11% containment, currently the biggest fire in California. Winds are expected to gradually increase going into the evening on Saturday.
The Eaton Fire has also reached 14,117 acres and is currently at 15% containment.
The Kenneth Fire currently stands at 1,052 acres with 80% containment.
New evacuation order issued for Palisades Fire
A new evacuation order has been issued for the Palisades Fire.
The new order extends from the Encino Reservoir in the north to Sunset Boulevard in the south and from the Mandeville Canyon in the west to the busy 405 freeway to the east.
Previously, those areas were under an evacuation warning, which means residents are urged to be prepared to evacuate if necessary.