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LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- At least 27 people are believed to be dead and more than a dozen others remain unaccounted for as multiple wildfires, fueled by severe drought conditions and strong Santa Ana winds, continue burning in Southern California.

The Palisades Fire, burning in the Pacific Palisades, and the Eaton Fire, burning in Altadena, have forced thousands to evacuate and destroyed more than 12,000 structures.

KABC logo
Jan 17, 2025, 5:42 PM

Wildfires burning in SoCal: Numbers at a glance

Here are all the current wildfires burning in Southern California at a glance.

Palisades Fire

  • 23,713 acres
  • 31% containment
  • 10 deaths
  • 5,316 structures burned

Eaton Fire in San Gabriel Valley

  • 14,117 acres
  • 65% contained
  • Approximately 7,081 structures believed to be damaged or destroyed (structures includes vehicles)
  • 17 deaths
  • 5 firefighter injuries

Hurst Fire in Sylmar

  • 799 acres
  • 100% contained

Auto Fire

  • 61 acres
  • 85% contained

Kenneth Fire in West Hills

  • 1,052 acres
  • 100% contained

KABC logo
Jan 16, 2025, 2:15 PM GMT

All Malibu schools closed Tuesday amid expected windstorm

The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District announced it was closing all Malibu schools Tuesday due to dangerous weather conditions but that Santa Monica schools remained open.

The closure includes Malibu Elementary, Webster Elementary, Malibu Middle and Malibu High schools.

A windstorm that forecasters described as potentially destructive and life-threatening was developing across the Southern California, dramatically raising the risk of wildfires for the next several days.

"We continue to monitor the situation along with our partners including the City of Malibu and So Cal Edison and will keep you informed of plans for reopening.

"We share your concerns, and our thoughts are with the Malibu community during this challenging weather event," Superintendent Antonio Shelton said in a statement. "We share your concerns, and our thoughts are with the Malibu community during this challenging weather event."

Santa Monica schools will remain open.

According to a Los Angeles Unified School District spokesperson, they are relocating Topanga Elementary School to Woodland Hills Academy out of an abundance of caution.

The district implemented the following precautionary measures for its schools:

  • Pop-up canopies, tree branches, or other objects that may become airborne and exposed to wind damage will be secured.
  • Students and staff will be kept away from these areas while high winds are present.
  • Schools will report broken or fallen tree limbs immediately.
  • Construction related activities that have the potential to create dust will be suspended.
  • Exercise caution with potential fire ignition sources.
  • Impacted schools will limit outdoor activities for students.

KABC logo
Jan 16, 2025, 2:15 PM GMT

Fierce gusts threaten power outages

The strong winds could knock trees over and cause branches to strike power lines, potentially causing power outages.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power urges customers to prepare for possible power outages by keeping a flashlight nearby, keeping your cell phone fully charged, and keeping a portable charger handy.

If you see a downed line, the LADWP urges you to not approach nor touch it. Immediately report it 9-1-1. You can track and report outages here.

KABC logo
Jan 16, 2025, 2:15 PM GMT

Strong winds impacting SoCal roads

The greatest concern is for Highway 118 to the 210 corridor from Simi Valley to Claremont, NWS said.

The strong gusts of wind increase the risk for downed trees and powerlines, which could affect the roads.

The Topanga Canyon Boulevard will be completely closed between Mulholland Drive and Pacific Coast Highway in the unincorporated L.A. County area of Topanga in the Santa Monica Mountains from 10 a.m. Tuesday to 6 p.m. Friday due to the red flag warning.

The Los Angeles Fire Department declared a red flag alert with special red flag parking restrictions beginning 8 a.m Tuesday. For a map of impacted streets, click here.

"It is important that fire apparatus have room to respond quickly to a fast-moving brush fire while simultaneously allowing residents to evacuate, if necessary," said LAFD. "For this reason, special parking restrictions may exist on certain narrow streets in brush areas only during 'Red Flag Alert' conditions."

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin also activated Red Flag Parking Restrictions within the city from 7 a.m Tuesday through Wednesday afternoon. The full list of impacted streets can be found here.

AP logo
Jan 16, 2025, 2:15 PM GMT

Expected winds will act as 'atmospheric blow-dryer' for vegetation

The upcoming winds will act as an "atmospheric blow-dryer" for vegetation, bringing a long period of fire risk that could extend into the more populated lower hills and valleys, according to Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with UCLA and the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

"We really haven't seen a season as dry as this one follow a season as wet as the previous one," Swain said during a Monday livestream. "All of that extra abundant growth of grass and vegetation followed immediately by a wind event of this magnitude while it's still so incredibly dry," elevates the risk.

Recent dry winds, including the notorious Santa Anas, have contributed to warmer-than-average temperatures in Southern California, where there's been very little rain so far this season.

Southern California hasn't seen more than 0.1 inches of rain since early May. Much of the region has fallen into moderate drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Meanwhile, up north, there have been multiple drenching storms.