Last updated: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 10:16PM GMT
Stream Southern California's News Leader and Original Shows 24/7
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.
The preliminary damage assessments posted on the county's wildfire recovery website feature color-coded icons that show the structures in the fire's footprints, and whether they were destroyed or what type of damage they sustained otherwise.
Newly released maps are providing a look at what was destroyed and damaged by the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire in Altadena - and even what was left untouched.
Jan 13, 2025, 7:02 PM GMT
Latino community in LA mobilizes to help support fire victims
In Los Angeles County, more than 4.8 million people are Hispanic or Latino, the latest U.S. Census data shows. With deep roots in the region, many Latinos have taken initiatives to mobilize the community and provide support.
"A friend of mine texted me telling me her house had burned down," Corissa Hernandez, a small business owner, told ABC News. "I can't even imagine losing everything I've worked for in my personal space, so I immediately went to social media and just put out a call for action."
Volunteers work to help victims affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles, Jan. 11, 2025.
After learning from local city leaders of the need for food, water and masks, Hernandez announced on social media that she was helping collect these items at Nativo HLP, the Mexican food restaurant she owns in Highland Park.
"It's such an honor and a humbling experience to see us all rally together for the most vulnerable amongst us, and it's just one of those moments where you just feel so proud to be part of LA and this community," she said.
Hernandez partnered with Guerilla Tacos DTLA and Guelaguetza, two other Mexican restaurants, to gather donations and deliver meals to people in need, she said. Together, they have created a central hub for all their operations and donations.
Volunteers work to help victims affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles, Jan. 11, 2025.
"I cannot take credit for what has evolved," Hernandez said. "Since then, we've distributed collectively over 1,500 warm meals to evacuation centers and fire departments, hundreds of donations have gone out, and this has been in collaboration with my network."
Support from the Latino community is also coming from around the world. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Friday that firefighters from Mexico were arriving to join the "more than 10,000 personnel already on the ground."
Jan 13, 2025, 6:56 PM GMT
Oscars push back nominations announcement amid wildfires
After a devastating week due to the fires in Los Angeles, the Academy has announced an update to the 97th Oscars season key dates and schedule of events.
The changes include extending the nominations voting period through Jan. 17, rescheduling the nominations announcement to Jan. 23, and canceling the nominees luncheon.
Take a look at the full list of impacted events here.
Jan 13, 2025, 6:20 PM GMT
Where will the worst winds be on Tuesday, Wednesday in SoCal?
The National Weather Service has highlighted these three areas where officials believe there's the highest chance for explosive fire growth this week. The Hurst Fire is in the highlighted area and the Palisades Fire is near the highlighted area.
The extreme fire risk will last from 4 a.m. Tuesday to noon Wednesday.
Winds could climb as high as 45 to 70 mph and humidity could be as low as 8 to 15%.
