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.

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

Jory Rand Image
Jan 16, 2025, 2:15 PM GMT

Palisades Fire progresses toward Brentwood area as it burns 17K+ acres

The Palisades Fire has burned 17,234 acres, according to Cal Fire, and an area of concern is Mandeville Canyon.

ABC7's Jory Rand shares more in the video below:

The Palisades Fire has burned 17,234 acres, according to Cal Fire.
KABC logo
Jan 16, 2025, 2:15 PM GMT

373,000 customers now without power in California

More than 300,000 customers are without power in California, according to data from PowerOutage.us.

As of 11:15 p.m. Wednesday, the number stands at 373,472.

In Los Angeles County, there were more than 200,000 customers without power.

Below is a full list of counties that are most affected:

  • Los Angeles - 207,857
  • San Bernardino - 32,826
  • Riverside - 45,664
  • Orange - 7,358
  • Ventura - 65,186
  • San Diego - 10,805

NOTE: The number represents customers without power, not people. A "customer" could be multiple people.

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

Studio City couple recounts escaping fire that destroyed homes

A couple recounts the moment they saw their Studio City home go up in flames in a fire that damaged other homes. The fire happened at a four-story residence on Sunswept Drive.

A couple recounts the moment they saw their Studio City home go up in flames in a fire that damaged several other homes.
KABC logo
Jan 16, 2025, 2:15 PM GMT

City of Pasadena issues unsafe water alert

The city of Pasadena has issued an unsafe water alert, warning people not to drink tap water.

The city's water system in the Eaton Fire evacuation areas could possibly have debris and elevated turbidity, the city said.

Residents are being asked not to drink tap water and to drink bottled water only.

"Bottled water should be used for all drinking (including baby formula and juice), brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice, and food preparation until further notice," the city's alert said. "This also applies to pets and domestic animals."

The city is also urging people not to try to treat the water themselves.

Officials said boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine or other disinfectants, or letting water stand will not make the water safe.

Pasadena Water and Power will inform residents the water is safe to use again, but that will depend on the fire, wind, and other conditions.

For more information, you can call Pasadena Water and Power's 24-hour emergency line at 626-744-4138.