Thousands remain evacuated as crews work to contain Los Angeles County wildfires

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LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- At least 25 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.

Key Headlines in the last 24 hours

Here's how the news is developing.
KABC logo
Jan 16, 2025, 8:01 AM

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
  • 21% containment
  • 9 deaths
  • 5,316 structures burned

Eaton Fire in San Gabriel Valley

  • 14,117 acres
  • 45% 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
  • 98% contained

Auto Fire

  • 61 acres
  • 85% contained

Kenneth Fire in West Hills

  • 1,052 acres
  • 100% contained

ABCNews logo
Jan 15, 2025, 7:56 PM GMT

How the Palisades Village managed to survive the firestorm

The Palisades Village is largely unscathed amid the devastating Palisades Fire, even as buildings across the street burned to the ground.

That's because the owners of the outdoor mall hired private tankers to fend off the flames as the fire encroached, ABC News Chief National Correspondent Matt Gutman reports.

These images from ABC News' Matt Gutman shows Palisades Village on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.
These images from ABC News' Matt Gutman shows Palisades Village on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.

Tankers could be seen on Monday preparing for the next Santa Ana wind event forecast for this week.

KABC logo
Jan 15, 2025, 7:56 PM GMT

Palisades Fire investigation zeroes in on street in Palisades Highlands community

Federal investigators are focusing on a specific street in the Palisades Highlands area where they believe the Palisades Fire may have started.

Via La Costa Street has been closed to the media as the investigation continues.

A worker surveys the damage from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.
A worker surveys the damage from the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.

Fifteen investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives' (ATF) National Response Team (NRT) from around the country arrived in Los Angeles over the weekend, joining crews already on scene.

Officials say the team will conduct an origin and cause examination of the Pacific Palisades fire.

KABC logo
Jan 15, 2025, 7:56 PM GMT

More than 40 arrested in Santa Monica's evacuation zones, police say

More than 40 people have been arrested in Santa Monica's evacuation zones, including 10 for burglary, police said.

According to the Santa Monica Police Department, all of those who were taken into custody were in the zones in violation to the legal emergency orders.

Police said most were also violating the city and county's curfew orders.

Ten people were arrested for burglary, three of whom were linked to one incident on 18th Street. Four others were arrested in the 200 block of Euclid Street, and two at 10th Street and Carlyle Avenue.

Police said six were arrested possession of burglary tools. The rest were arrested for other violations, including curfew, drug possession, driving violations, outstanding warrants, parole and probation violations.

Police said two of the people were in possession of concealed handguns.

None of the suspects are from Santa Monica, according to police.

"I am grateful for the unwavering dedication and professionalism of all the officers and professional staff in the SMPD," said Chief Ramon Batista. "Over the past seven days, while the fires in Palisades tested the resilience of many, each of them stood strong, ensuring that the city of Santa Monica remained safe and secure. I am also grateful for the collaboration with our mutual aid partners who supported us on the front lines and the National Guard for helping us secure the evacuation zones and maintain entry and exit points to the closed areas."

KABC logo
Jan 15, 2025, 7:56 PM GMT

3 lawsuits filed against SoCal Edison over Eaton Fire

Three lawsuits were filed Monday against Southern California Edison, claiming the utility's equipment sparked the deadly Eaton Fire.

One lawsuit claims there is "clear evidence from video footage, photographs, and witness accounts that the fire was caused by electrical equipment operated by SCE."

Another alleges that SCE failed to comply with essential electrical and fire safety standards, including failing to maintain power lines properly and overgrown vegetation.

READ MORE | First lawsuits filed against Southern California Edison over Eaton Fire

Two lawsuits were filed Monday morning against Southern California Edison in connection with the Eaton Fire.