Altadena residents shocked to find homes intact
Two families recounted how they returned to their Altadena neighborhoods and were in shock to see that their homes were still standing.
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- As the fire fight continues against the Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire, new brush fires continue to crop up, the latest in the West Hills area.
Red flag warnings are in effect and will remain in place until 6 p.m. Friday for the Malibu coast, the Santa Monica Mountains Recreational Area, the San Gabriel Valley, the San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, the Santa Clarita Valley, the San Gabriel Mountains, and the 5 Freeway and 14 Freeway corridors.
Here are all the wildfires burning in Southern California at a glance.
- 960 acres
- Mandatory evacuations
- 13,690 acres
- 4,000 to 5,000 structures damaged or destroyed (structures includes vehicles)
- 3 deaths
- 4 firefighter injuries
- 1,527 fire personnel assigned
- Cause of fire unknown
- 19,978 acres
- 2 deaths
- 5,316 structures burned
- 6% containment
- 771 acres
- 37% contained
- 348 acres
- 60% contained
- 42.8 acres
- 100% containment
- All evacuation orders lifted
- Structure fire encompassed two homes and brush, extended into adjacent brush
- Stopped forward progress at just under 1 acre
- 11 acres, contained
- 30 acres, contained
- 100% containment
- Declared knockdown and no current threats
Two families recounted how they returned to their Altadena neighborhoods and were in shock to see that their homes were still standing.
The overwhelming flames of the Palisades Fire prompted some neighbors to take action. On Wednesday, two residents bypassed a security checkpoint to go save their properties and their neighbors.
Christopher Jones used a pump rig he got years ago and drained water from neighbors' pools and Jacuzzis to spray water on the threatened homes.
They estimate their efforts saved at least six homes, including their own.
The Kenneth Fire that erupted Thursday afternoon in West Hills is being investigated as arson.
Los Angeles police said a person was detained for questioning after a report of a possible arson suspect in the 21700 block of Ybarra Road in Woodland Hills.
Police said just before 8 p.m. that they could not connect the person to any fire.
The blaze has grown to 1,000 acres and is 35% contained, according to CalFire.
The Department of Medical Examiner announced it has received notification of 10 fire-related deaths as of Thursday at 9 p.m.
"The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner is working with local law enforcement and fire departments to respond to reported fatalities due to the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles County," read a statement.
It's unclear where each person died. Earlier on Thursday, two confirmed deaths were linked to the Palisades Fire while at least five others were linked to the Eaton Fire in the Altadena area.
The department said all cases are currently pending identification and legal next of kin notification.
Once that happens, the information will be posted on its website.
Officials said identification could take several weeks since staff isn't able to respond to all death locations due to the fire conditions and safety concerns.
"Please also keep in mind, traditional means of identification such as fingerprinting and visual identification may not be available and will add more time for naming these decedents," said the department.
"The Department of Medical Examiner understands how important it is to identify those lost in the wildfires and is working diligently, while following safety protocols, to provide the information to the next of kin as soon as reasonably possible."