New round of evacuation orders lifted as LA mayor names chief recovery officer

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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.

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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

Jan 16, 2025, 2:15 PM GMT

Traffic gridlock on busy Hollywood street as evacuations issued for Sunset Fire

The Sunset Fire that erupted in the Hollywood Hills has forced mandatory evacuations that includes busy Hollywood streets. In one well-known Hollywood street, traffic was at a standstill as people tried to get out.

The Sunset Fire that erupted in the Hollywood Hills has forced mandatory evacuations that includes busy Hollywood streets.
Jan 16, 2025, 2:15 PM GMT

UCLA cancel classes for the rest week

The University of California - Los Angeles is canceling classes for Thursday and Friday.

In a message to students, school officials have canceled undergraduate classes for the rest of the week, moved graduate classes remote.

"The first week of classes is typically a joyous occasion, and I am deeply sorry that the fires in our region have instead brought so much pain and caused so much devastation," Chancellor Julio Frenk said in a statement.

There is no immediate fire danger to the campus, but Frenk said with the expected wind change, the air quality in Westwood is expected to get worse.

The University of Southern California will have classes as scheduled on Monday, Jan. 13.

Jan 16, 2025, 2:15 PM GMT

TCL Chinese Theatre closes, sends employees home as fire grows

The TCL Chinese Theatre closed Wednesday night due to the fast-moving fire in the Hollywood Hills.

In a statement posted on X, all employees were sent home.

Anyone with tickets to a Wednesday showing was asked to reach out to the theatre on Thursday for a full refund.

The theatre and the area around it is included in the evacuation order.

Jan 16, 2025, 2:15 PM GMT

Dolby Theatre, Hollywood Bowl included in Sunset Fire evacuation order

The Sunset Fire, which erupted in the 2300 block of Solar Drive in the Hollywood Hills, has grown to 20 acres, according to Cal Fire. The evacuation zone includes the Dolby Theatre, where the Academy Awards are held, as well as the Hollywood Bowl.