Firefighters holding Eaton, Palisades fires in check, but new wind event is on the way

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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. Crews have made progress in the fight against the Palisades Fire after burning at least one structure in the Mandeville Canyon.

Key Headlines in the last 24 hours

Here's how the news is developing.
KABC logo
Jan 12, 2025, 6:38 PM

Wildfires burning in SoCal: Numbers at a glance

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

Palisades Fire

- 23,654 acres
- 11% containment
- 5 deaths
- 5,316 structures burned

Eaton Fire in San Gabriel Valley

- 14,117 acres
- 27% contained
- Approximately 7,081 structures believed to be damaged or destroyed (structures includes vehicles)
- 11 deaths
- 5 firefighter injuries

Kenneth Fire in West Hills

- 1,052 acres

- 100% contained

Hurst Fire in Sylmar

- 799 acres
- 89% contained

ByOLGA R. RODRÍGUEZ AP logo
6:19 PM GMT

Red flag warning set to expire

Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the current red flag warning will expire at 6 p.m. Pacific on Friday but a new warning is expected to be issued Monday, when windy conditions in the Los Angeles area are forecast to return.

KABC logo
6:19 PM GMT

LA County medical examiner confirms at least 11 fire-related deaths

At least 5 people were killed in the Palisades Fire and 6 others in the Eaton Fire, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner confirmed.

The death toll has gone up from the 10 fire-related deaths the department announced in a statement on Thursday at 9 p.m.

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."

KABC logo
6:19 PM GMT

Firefighters from Mexico to join battle against Eaton Fire

Firefighters from Mexico are en route to the Eaton Fire, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday.

They will be joining more than 10,000 personnel already on the ground battling the fires.

"California is deeply grateful for President [Claudia Sheinbaum's] support as we work to suppress the Los Angeles wildfires," said Gov. Newsom on X. "Our partnership and shared commitment to helping communities in need is greatly valued."

As of 2:50 p.m., the Eaton Fire had burned 13,690 acres and was at 3% containment. At least 3 deaths have been reported in relation to this fire. More than 7,000 structures have burned.

ByZohreen Shah ABCNews logo
6:19 PM GMT

Firefighters find Altadena woman's wedding ring in rubble

Victoria DeSantis had seconds to evacuate her Altadena home this week when the Eaton Fire broke out. She left so quickly, she left behind her wedding and engagement rings.

She returned to find her home of 20 years had turned into rubble, and sifted through debris to find her melted engagement ring. She thought the wedding band had melted in with it as well.

A firefighter was on the ground searching with her and found the wedding band seemingly untouched by the blaze.

Victoria DeSantis holds her wedding band after it was found in the ruble after the Altadena Fire swept through her house. The band was seemingly untouched by the blaze.
Victoria DeSantis holds her wedding band after it was found in the ruble after the Altadena Fire swept through her house. The band was seemingly untouched by the blaze.

She says it was one bright light during a very dark week. DeSantis started a GoFundMe to help raise funds to help rebuild her neighborhood.