'Not out of the woods': Fire-scarred LA braces for another round of dangerous winds

LIVE: ABC News Special Report

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 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.
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Jan 15, 2025, 3:32 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
  • 19% 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
  • 97% contained

Auto Fire

  • 61 acres
  • 47% contained

Kenneth Fire in West Hills

  • 1,052 acres
  • 100% contained

1:53 AM GMT

'Super scooper' cleared to fly after drone collision

A "super scooper" that was damaged by a drone last week while helping fight the Palisades Fire was cleared to fly Tuesday.

According to officials, the plane collided with a privately-owned drone, causing significant damage to it. The drone put a 3x6 hole in the aircraft, causing a 20- to 30-minute delay in the aerial firefight.

A "super scooper" that was damaged by a drone last week while helping fight the Palisades Fire was cleared to fly Tuesday.

The collision grounded the firefighting plane for several days.

The low-flying, surface-skimming planes dip into the water before dumping its contents over blazing wildfires.

The FBI is investigating the incident.

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1:41 AM GMT

Eaton Fire came within feet from vital Mount Wilson towers

We're getting a look at just how close the Eaton Fire came to vital communications towers at Mount Wilson.

A photo posted on X shows how the fire came within mere feet from the lifesaving communications equipment last Thursday.

Thanks to prior fuel treatment by the Angeles National Forest and the work of firefighters, the equipment was not damaged.

Firefighters continue to monitor and protect the area.

The photo shows how the Eaton Fire came within mere feet from the lifesaving communications equipment at Mount Wilson.
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4:53 AM GMT

Death toll from LA wildfires climbs to 25

The death toll from the wildfires in Los Angeles County has climbed to 25 people, according to the L.A. County Medical Examiner.

The medical examiner issued a correction just hours after it had announced a 25th victim. In its update, the office explained that what it had counted as an additional death from the Eaton Fire was determined to be non-human remains.

Shortly after, the medical examiner reported an additional death from the Palisades Fire, bringing the total back to 25.

The medical examiner says 16 deaths are linked to the Eaton Fire and nine are linked to the Palisades Fire.

ABC News contributed to this report.

12:08 AM GMT

FEMA opens 2 recovery centers to help fire victims get grants

FEMA opened two Disaster Recovery Centers on Tuesday to help people who experienced "damage to their primary home, personal property loss or have disaster-caused emergency needs related to the wildfires." FEMA said people will get help with applying for assistance, speak to representatives, get updates on their FEMA application and learn about the appeals process.

The centers are located at:

  • UCLA Research Park West: 10850 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90064 | Hours of operation - Daily: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Pasadena City College Community Education Center: 3035 East Foothill Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91106 | Hours of operation - Daily: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

"We've already had 40,000 people register, I think 8,000 people already received that $770. We put $8 million out already," Region 9 FEMA Administrator Robert J. Fenton, Jr. said.

Read more about applying for FEMA assistance here.