New round of evacuation orders lifted as LA mayor names chief recovery officer

ABC7 Eyewitness News
Stream Southern California's News Leader and Original Shows 24/7

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- At least 27 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.

KABC logo
Jan 17, 2025, 5:42 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
  • 31% containment
  • 10 deaths
  • 5,316 structures burned

Eaton Fire in San Gabriel Valley

  • 14,117 acres
  • 65% contained
  • Approximately 7,081 structures believed to be damaged or destroyed (structures includes vehicles)
  • 17 deaths
  • 5 firefighter injuries

Hurst Fire in Sylmar

  • 799 acres
  • 100% contained

Auto Fire

  • 61 acres
  • 85% contained

Kenneth Fire in West Hills

  • 1,052 acres
  • 100% contained

KABC logo
2 hours and 19 minutes ago

Uber Eats, Postmates donating 2,500 vouchers worth $200 to fire victims

Uber Eats and Postmates are teaming up to make sure people impacted by the wildfires have one less thing to worry about.

The companies announced on "Good Morning America" that they are donating 2,500 vouchers to the California Fire Foundation. Each voucher is worth $200.

Firefighters and first responders will be distributing them to fire victims who need help with takeout, groceries and other essentials.

The companies are also waiving delivery and service fees from certain businesses.

Uber Eats and Postmates are donating 2,500 vouchers worth $200 each to be distributed to fire victims who need help with groceries and other items.

MORE: SoCal Wildfires - How You Can Help

KABC logo
2 hours and 27 minutes ago

Living Spaces giving away free mattresses to wildfire victims

Getting back on your feet after losing everything is a monumental effort. That's why Living Spaces wants to help.

The company is giving away free mattresses and foundations to fire victims.

Just visit any Living Spaces location to take advantage of the offer. You'll need to show your approved FEMA or insurance paperwork.

One mattress set -- of any size -- will be given per household.

The fire relief program runs through the end of June.

MORE: SoCal Wildfires - How You Can Help

David Ono Image
2 hours and 42 minutes ago

Altadena community shows support for Jake's Roadhouse after owner loses home to Eaton Fire

Last week, Tony BaƱuelos and his family faced the tragedy of losing their Altadena home in the Eaton fire.

Fortunately, his business, the legendary Jake's Roadhouse, was untouched. It only took a couple days before he went back to work, and once the restaurant regained power, he started doing what he does best: serving others.

He joined ABC7 for an in-studio interview, and his story went viral. One week later, the Monrovia staple is thriving. His loyal customers showed up in full support, with patrons like Amy French packing the walls until closing time.

"This place blesses us all the time, so how could we not want to give back you know," she said.

The Altadena community has been showing their support for a local restaurant owner who lost his home during the Eaton Fire.

With business on the rise and the community behind him, BaƱuelos has a renewed optimism for the future, despite the obstacles ahead: "Tomorrow's gonna be a better day, the next day's gonna be a better day until everything comes back to normal."

City News Service logo
Jan 17, 2025, 10:48 PM GMT

Mayor Bass appoints Steve Soboroff as 'chief recovery officer' for rebuild from wildfires

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Friday appointed longtime civic official, businessman and developer Steve Soboroff to lead rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the devastating wildfire that wiped out the majority of Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas.

"Steve Soboroff's name is attached to hope," Bass said in naming him the city's chief recovery officer. "It is attached to energy, and it is attached to many, many accomplishments. He will recommend a comprehensive city strategy for rebuilding and for expediting -- expediting is a very important word here -- we want to expedite the return of residents, businesses, schools, nonprofits and parks.

"Steve has agreed to give himself to Los Angeles once again. He knows our communities. He knows how to activate City Hall. He's been in City Hall several times, called to duty on several different occasions."

Mayor Karen Bass announced the appointment of Steve Soboroff as "chief recovery officer" to oversee the city's rebuild after the devastating wildfires.

Bass said "no one is better equipped to create a rebuilding plan" than Soboroff, former president of the city Police Commission and a longtime businessman who spearheaded development the arena now known as Crypto.com Arena downtown and the Playa Vista community. He also led efforts to coordinate the complex move of the space shuttle Endeavour through the streets of Los Angeles to the California Science Center.

"People in L.A. are hurting," Soboroff said. "They are frustrated, like the mayor said. They're confused. They want to know what they can do today. They can't get back to their homes to find the pictures of their loved ones. And a whole lot of people are out of work, as a community has been wiped off the face of the Earth. A community that's about 120 years old. I lived in it. My kids grew up in it for 40 years.

"What we need is and what I hope people will start out with today is hope," he said. "There is an A-to-Z for each one of us. And 'A' is today, and we're going to get there step by step. And the city is going to help to the extent it can, and we will have to outsource to the extent it can't."

For people critical of the city's efforts in response to the fires, Soboroff said, "If people want to get on the bus with us, get on it. If they want to spend their time throwing embers right now and next Tuesday when it's windy by spending time on that kind of stuff, just don't get on our bus."

Without offering any specifics, Bass said she plans to sign a series of executive orders next week aimed at expediting the recovery effort.

"We are going to do everything we can to clear the way so people can get back home," she said.

She also said the city will also initiate a full after-action investigation into the handling of the fire disaster -- following criticism ranging from the preparedness of the fire department to respond to the blaze and the availability of water and adequate water pressure in the Palisades area.

Bass said the city will conduct an investigation of its own, but there would also be an external review.