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, 3:24 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
  • 22% containment
  • 9 deaths
  • 5,316 structures burned

Eaton Fire in San Gabriel Valley

  • 14,117 acres
  • 55% 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

KABC logo
3 hours and 13 minutes ago

Most of SoCal, including burn areas, now in severe drought

Most of Southern California -- including the areas ravaged by fires -- in severe drought, according to the latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Here is the latest map:

Most of Southern California -- including the areas ravaged by fires -- in severe drought, according to the latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Most of Southern California -- including the areas ravaged by fires -- in severe drought, according to the latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

MORE: Climate change amplified dryness, but LA fires still extreme without it: UCLA analysis

KABC logo
2 hours and 43 minutes ago

Leonardo DiCaprio donates $1M to SoCal wildfire recovery efforts

Leonardo DiCaprio is donating $1 million to support wildfire recovery efforts in Southern California, the actor announced.

DiCaprio posted the news to his Instagram stories on Wednesday, saying he will be committing $1 million in conjunction with the charity Re: wild, which he co-founded.

The post read, in part:
"The Los Angeles wildfires are devastating our city. I am committing $1 million in partnership with @rewild's Rapid Response Program to support both urgent needs and post-fire recovery efforts. Initial aid will immediately benefit the LA Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, World Central Kitchen, California Community Foundation, Pasadena Humane Society, and SoCal Fire Fund - organizations on the frontlines providing much-needed resources to our first responders and firefighters, and the people, animals and communities who need it most. Re:wild's Rapid Response Program is uniquely positioned to respond to environmental disasters and emergencies."

MORE: SoCal Wildfires - How You Can Help

KABC logo
4:59 PM GMT

Man remembers best friend lost in Eaton fire: 'He was a kind soul'

Dennis Chapman said he lost his best friend Ed Cridland in the Eaton Fire.

"He was a kind soul," Chapman said of his friend.

Man remembers best friend who died in Eaton Fire

The night of the fires when Chapman last spoke to Cridland, they thought he would be fine in his home, the same home he was raised in.

But Cridland's home burned to the ground and the vintage vehicles he collected were completely singed.

"Kind of makes things full circle. That everything, you know, started and ended right there. Everything about his life," Chapman said.

He believes on Tuesday night, Cridland took out his hearing aid and was sound asleep in his own bed.

Chapman hopes his friend died peacefully in his sleep from the carbon monoxide before the flames engulfed the home.

"I think that when my time comes if I can be half the man he was and go to the same place, then I will be ok with it," Chapman said.

4:00 PM GMT

Pasadena declares local health emergency

The Pasadena Public Health Department on Thursday declared a local public health emergency due to the impacts of the deadly Eaton Fire.

Officials say the widespread impacts include the presence of toxic ash and particulate matter in the air.

"Being around ash may irritate your eyes, nose, or skin; and can cause coughing, asthma attacks, difficulty breathing, headaches, and other health effects," city officials said in a press release. "Prevent exposure by wearing protective gear in areas affected by the fires, especially while cleaning up ash. Wear a tight-fitting respirator that filters ash particles from the air you breathe, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks, and goggles to avoid skin and eye contact."

Additionally, officials said the use of power air blowers, including leaf blowers, are prohibited until further notice so they don't stir up the ask and debris, further worsening air quality in the area.

The department is distributing free personal protective equipment at 450 N. Lake Avenue, which is also a water distribution site, from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.