California fires live updates: At least 10 fire-related deaths, medical examiner says
The fire which ignited Thursday afternoon is spreading in the West Hills area.
At least 10 people are believed to be dead -- with the LA County sheriff saying he expects that number to rise -- as a series of devastating fires grow uncontained across Southern California amid dry and windy conditions, leaving officials scrambling to contain the historic destruction.
Thousands of firefighters are battling at least five sprawling wildfires spread around the Los Angeles area. The largest, the Palisades Fire, in Pacific Palisades, has scorched over 19,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and remains zero percent contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 13,000 acres and zero percent contained. More than 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as the infernos spread.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved a federal major disaster declaration for Los Angeles County.
Key Headlines
- Firefighters stop forward progress of Kenneth Fire
- New satellite images show extent of LA wildfire devastation
- Recent LA County evacuation warning alert sent in error
- Kenneth Fire grows to nearly 1,000 acres with 0% containment
- Federal government to cover 100% of disaster response for 180 days
- Eaton Fire burns near Mount Wilson Observatory
- LA mayor dodges question on criticism over trip to Ghana, budget cuts
Nearly 2 dozen school districts close due to fires
Twenty-two of Los Angeles County's 80 school districts are closed Wednesday due to fires and weather conditions in the region, according to the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
These school districts are reporting closures, according to the office:
Newsom cancels trip to Carter's funeral
California Gov. Gavin Newsom canceled his trip to Washington D.C., for former President Jimmy Carter's memorial service amid the continued spread of multiple fires in Southern California.
President Joe Biden spoke to Newsom by phone on Wednesday to "receive the latest update on the wildfires across Los Angeles." Biden is still expected to get a briefing later from Cal Fire officials.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell also spoke with Newsom to get an update on the wildfires, according to a FEMA spokesperson. FEMA's regional office in California is in constant communication with California Office of Emergency Services and the agency has deployed a FEMA liaison to their offices as the agency continues to monitor the situation closely.
The regional administrator for FEMA Region IX approved Fire Management Assistance Grants for the Palisades Fire to support the state with the control of the fires.
Vice President Harris' LA neighborhood under evacuation order
Vice President Kamala Harris' Los Angeles neighborhood is under an evacuation order, according to her office.
No one was in the home at the time, Ernie Apreza, a spokesperson for her office, said.
"She and the Second Gentleman are praying for the safety of their fellow Californians, the heroic first responders, and Secret Service personnel," Apreza said on X.
Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, own a home in Brentwood, which Emhoff purchased in 2012 for $2.7 million.
-ABC News' Molly Nagle
Actor Steve Guttenberg says he's moving cars to allow fire trucks in
Actor Steve Guttenberg told "GMA3" he's been moving abandoned vehicles to allow fire trucks in as the fire ravages the Pacific Palisades.
"It's like a parking lot," Guttenberg said. "When people abandon their cars, you've got to leave your keys in there, so guys like me can move them."
Guttenberg said he's been staying at a friend's house, where they have no electricity but is otherwise "doing OK."
"It's just the biggest fire I've ever seen in my life," Guttenberg said. "I got a lot of smoke in my lungs."
While in the Palisades on Tuesday, he said it looked like there was a "volcano" on the sides of the hills.
"Now I never think I'm going to die, but this is one of those moments where I said, 'Oh man, these could be the place I'm going to go,'" he said.