Eaton, Palisades fires continue burning as new wildfires erupts

Last updated: Saturday, January 11, 2025 5:59AM GMT
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LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The massive Eaton Fire and the Palisades Fire continue burning in Southern California days after erupting amid a powerful windstorm. The Palisades Fire has forced new evacuations on Friday night as it moves toward the 405.

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Jan 11, 2025, 6:05 AM

Wildfires burning in SoCal: Numbers at a glance

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

Kenneth Fire in West Hills

- 1,052 acres

- 50% contained

Eaton Fire in San Gabriel Valley

- 13,956 acres
- 3% contained
- Approximately 7,081 structures believed to be damaged or destroyed (structures includes vehicles)
- 6 deaths
- 4 firefighter injuries
- 1,603 fire personnel assigned
- Cause of fire unknown

Palisades Fire

- 21,317 acres
- 5 deaths
- 5,316 structures burned
- 8% containment

Hurst Fire in Sylmar

- 771 acres

- 70% contained

Lidia Fire in Acton area

- 395 acres

- 75% contained

Sunset Fire in Hollywood Hills area

- 42.8 acres
- 100% containment
- All evacuation orders lifted

Sunswept Fire in Studio City

- Structure fire encompassed two homes and brush, extended into adjacent brush
- Stopped forward progress at just under 1 acre

Tyler Fire

- 11 acres, contained

Woodley Fire in Sepulveda Basin

- 30 acres, contained
- 100% containment
- Declared knockdown and no current threats

Jan 10, 2025, 8:08 PM GMT

More erroneous emergency alerts raise frustrations

More erroneous evacuation alerts were sent to tens of thousands of residents overnight, prompting frustration and waves of criticism from people already on edge from the Southern California wildfires, but officials are not yet sure what caused those errors.

Kevin McGowan, director of the county Office of Emergency Management, stressed during a news conference Friday morning that the alerts are "not human driven."

"There is no one sitting at a desk right now initiating emergency alerts," McGowan said. "... They are not being activated or initiated by a person."

He said he is coordinating with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to "resolve this issue and find the root cause."

More erroneous evacuation alerts were sent to tens of thousands of residents overnight, prompting frustration and waves of criticism from people already on edge from the Southern California wildfires, but officials are not yet sure what caused those errors.

The first erroneous alert was sent around 4 p.m. Thursday, shortly after the Kenneth Fire broke out in the West Hills area. The alert about evacuation warnings was only supposed to be sent to people in the affected area near that fire, but instead, it was sent to cell phones throughout most of the county, including residents in the South Bay, the Westside, downtown Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, even as far away as Orange County.

A short time after that, another message was sent telling residents who weren't in the affected area to disregard it.

However, another erroneous message was sent out around 4 a.m. Friday, again intended for people in the Kenneth Fire burn area but transmitted instead to people across the region, even in San Bernardino County.

McGowan on Friday morning said "this is my top priority" to determine what technical error is causing the erroneous alerts.

"I implore everyone to not disable the messages on your phone. This is extremely frustrating, painful and scary, but these alert tools have saved lives during this emergency," he said. "Not receiving an alert can be a consequence of life and death."

McGowan suggested that people who receive the alerts go online to verify the information at alertla.org or lacounty.gov/emergency, or call 211.

County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, however, expressed frustration at the situation Friday morning, noting that people shouldn't have to go online to verify emergency alerts.

"It is frustrating because we are asking people to trust us," Barger said, adding that the problem needs to be fixed immediately.

City News Service contributed to this report.

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Jan 10, 2025, 10:23 PM GMT

Mount Wilson Observatory, telescope not damaged in Eaton Fire

The Eaton Fire made a run for Mount Wilson on Thursday afternoon.

But the Mount Wilson Observatory and the telescope were not damaged, thanks to firefighters' efforts, said L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone.

"No buildings or infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed at Mount Wilson," Marrone said.

The Eaton Fire made a run for Mount Wilson on Thursday - but the historic observatory and telescope were not damaged, thanks to firefighters.
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1:00 AM GMT

Archer Fire near Granada Hills homes briefly prompts evacuations

A brush fire broke out Friday morning on a hillside in Granada Hills, briefly prompting an evacuation order and quickly burning 31 acres as firefighters rushed to attack it.

Firefighters on the ground and in the air responded to the so-called Archer Fire about 10:30 a.m. in the 17000 block of West Sesnon Boulevard.

A new fire that erupted in Granada Hills Friday briefly prompted an evacuation order as it advanced toward homes.

No injuries or structural damage were immediately reported.

The fire burned in light to medium brush under erratic winds, the Los Angeles Fire Department said. But firefighters quickly gained control of the flames and the evacuation orders were lifted by 1:30 p.m.

No homes were immediately exposed to the flames, but a nearby residential neighborhood was seen in aerial video from AIR7.

The cause of the fire was unknown.

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Jan 10, 2025, 8:52 PM GMT

LA fires creating fuel shortages in Las Vegas area

Fuel shortages are expected in Las Vegas due to issues related to the Los Angeles fires.

The Kinder Morgan Pipeline, which is between the two areas, has been affected by the wildfires and power line de-energizations, according to officials.

This pipeline accounts for approximately 95% of the petroleum products used in the Vegas metropolitan area.

Though it isn't expected to meet the fuel consumption rates of the area, a plan is in place to transport fuel to Las Vegas.

Officials expect the power de-energization issues to continue through Sunday.