Death toll in Eaton, Palisades fires rises to 24 as crews prepare for more strong winds

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LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- At least 24 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 to rage across Southern California, leaving fire crews scrambling to contain the historic destruction.

Key Headlines in the last 24 hours

Here's how the news is developing.
KABC logo
Jan 13, 2025, 4:16 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
- 14% containment
- 8 deaths
- 5,316 structures burned

Eaton Fire in San Gabriel Valley

- 14,117 acres
- 33% contained
- Approximately 7,081 structures believed to be damaged or destroyed (structures includes vehicles)
- 16 deaths
- 5 firefighter injuries

Hurst Fire in Sylmar

- 799 acres

- 95% contained

Kenneth Fire in West Hills

- 1,052 acres

- 100% contained

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11:05 AM GMT

National Youth Poet dedicates poem to her hometown of Pacific Palisades after deadly fire

The Palisades Fire began in the Pacific Palisades area of the city on Jan. 7. It is at 23,713 acres in size with 13% containment. Approximately 5,000 structures have been destroyed.

Through tragedy, we've seen neighbors helping neighbors and the community coming together to heal.

National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman is from Pacific Palisades. She posted on social media that her home sustained some damage but wasn't destroyed.

Gorman wrote a poem titled "Smoldering Dawn" dedicated to her hometown. Listen to the poem, in her own words, below.

National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman is from Pacific Palisades. She wrote a poem titled "Smoldering Dawn" dedicated to her hometown.
KABC logo
10:35 AM GMT

Many schools reopen, others remain closed as the region braces for another round of strong winds

As the region braces for another round of strong winds, some schools remain closed as others are set to reopen Monday.

Most of Los Angeles Unified School District schools will reopen Monday, with the exception of nine schools that will remain closed.

Pasadena Unified School District campuses will remain closed through Friday while Pasadena City College was set to reopen on Monday.

La CaƱada Flintridge Unified School District schools will remain closed until Tuesday.

The Glendale Unified School District announced its schools would reopen Monday, except Rosemont Middle School.

Arcadia Unified School District schools will reopen Monday.

Santa Monica schools are set to reopen Monday, except for Roosevelt Elementary. All Malibu schools will remain closed through Wednesday.

KABC logo
10:39 AM GMT

Remains of 95-year-old grandmother discovered at her Altadena home after fire

The remains of a 95-year-old grandmother who was unaccounted for were discovered at her destroyed home in Altadena after the devastating Eaton Fire.

Dalyce Curry's family was reeling with the uncertainty of whether she was dead after the Eaton Fire tore through her Altadena home. Unfortunately, the coroner confirmed to Curry's family on Sunday just before 6 p.m. that her remains were discovered.

Mamma D was part of Old Black Hollywood in the 1950s, acting for decades. Her remains were found at her home after the Eaton Fire.

Dalyce Kelley had dropped off her grandmother, Dalyce Curry, at home around midnight Tuesday. Curry, known as "Momma D," was exhausted after spending a full day in the hospital.

Kelley, who is her grandmother's part-time caregiver, had to take care of other family members and left for the evening. Kelley, like thousands of others, didn't think the fire - which had sparked just hours earlier, would turn into the monster it would become.

Dalyce woke up to a text alert that power had gone out at her grandmother's house and she rushed to the smoke-filled Altadena area first thing to check on Momma D.

"I'm sorry your grandmother's property is gone. It totally burned down," an officer said when she reached a barricade. He suggested Kelley check the Pasadena Civic Center where displaced residents were being sent.

Momma D had not been seen since that night.

By Friday, Kelley was escorted by a member of the national guard to her home.

"It was total devastation," Kelley said. "Everything was gone except her blue Cadillac."

Mamma D was part of Old Black Hollywood in the 1950s, acting for decades.

She was an extra in iconic films like "The 10 Commandments", "Blues Brothers" and "Lady Sings the Blues".

Despite being 95 years old, her granddaughters say she still had plenty of life to live.

"She was very active, you would not think she was 95," granddaughter Loree Beamer-Wilkinson said.

Kelley told Eyewitness News on Sunday before she learned of her grandmother's death that she was "still praying for a miracle," but feared the worst.

"Honestly we don't feel very hopeful that she's still here with us," Kelley said.

Previous report below:

A family is reeling with the uncertainty of whether their 95-year-old grandmother is dead after the Eaton Fire tore through her Altadena home.
Leanne Suter Image
6:38 AM GMT

Man loses home to the Eaton Fire month after losing his father

Every person that has lost their home in the deadly Eaton fire has their own personal story.

For Derek Russell Jr., the loss of his home came just one month after losing his father, Derek Russell Sr.

"This means everything. This is his legacy right here," said Russell, as he held his father's American flag, the only thing he has left of him.

Russell buried his father on Dec. 6, and on Tuesday suffered another loss. The Altadena home he shared with his father burned to the ground on Tuesday due to the Eaton Fire.

"I didn't even go through his stuff yet because I wasn't ready. I was just trying to learn how to grieve for myself for that," said Russell.

Meanwhile, a GoFundMe has been set up to help Russell recover.

Read Russel's full story here.

For Derek Russell Jr., the loss of his home came just one month after losing his father, Derek Russel Sr.