Some evacuations lifted as crews make progress on Los Angeles County wildfires

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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.

Key Headlines in the last 24 hours

Here's how the news is developing.
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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

Jan 16, 2025, 2:14 PM GMT

LADWP restores power to all customers except those in fire zones

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power says crews have restored power to all customers except those in the fire threat areas where authorities have requested they turn off power lines.

They said this affects about 17,600 customers in Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Sylmar and Encino.

"LADWP crews will begin to restore power to these customers once we receive clearance from CAL FIRE to re-energize the circuits and assess the lines for hazards," said the utility in a statement. "We also have equipment affected by fire retardant that needs to be cleaned before we can re-energize these power lines."

If you're an LADWP customer outside of the high fire risk areas and are still without power, call 1-800-DIAL-DWP to report your outage.

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Jan 16, 2025, 2:14 PM GMT

California AG to wildfire victims: Beware of price gouging, scams

As thousands of displaced families look for a place to stay due to the wildfires, the state has issued a series of protections, including one against price gouging.

On Sunday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that will streamline the rebuilding of destroyed homes and businesses.

The order also extends protections against price gouging in Los Angeles County on building materials, storage services, construction, and other essential goods and services to January 7, 2026.

During a press conference Saturday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said his office has received reports of hotels, rental properties, and other businesses charging too much for goods and services.

"We should not be engaged in price gouging, whether it's groceries or rent," he said. "We are very serious about this, and the governor's office, on ensuring that there is no price gouging and that anyone engaged in it is held accountable."

READ MORE | California officials warn of price gouging, scams as wildfire victims seek help

As thousands of displaced families look for a place to stay, the state has issued a series of protections, including one against price gouging.
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Jan 16, 2025, 2:14 PM GMT

68 arrested, many for burglary, in fire evacuation zones, police say

At least 68 people have been arrested in fire evacuation zones, according to law enforcement officials, as police work to secure devastated parts of Los Angeles and firefighters continue to battle wildfires.

The Santa Monica Police Department reported 39 arrests in evacuated areas in its jurisdiction on Saturday night, including 10 for burglary and six for possession of burglary tools.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said it recorded 29 arrests -- 25 in the Eaton Fire area north of Pasadena and four in the Palisades Fire area in western Los Angeles.

The Santa Monica Police Department reported 39 arrests in evacuated areas in its jurisdiction on Saturday night, including 10 for burglary and six for possession of burglary tools. None of those arrested lived in the area, the department said.

-ABC News' Marilyn Heck

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Jan 16, 2025, 2:14 PM GMT

Remains of 95-year-old grandmother discovered at her Altadena home after fire

The remains of a 95-year-old grandmother who was unaccounted for were discovered at her destroyed home in Altadena after the devastating Eaton Fire.

Dalyce Curry's family was reeling with the uncertainty of whether she was dead after the Eaton Fire tore through her Altadena home. Unfortunately, the coroner confirmed to Curry's family on Sunday just before 6 p.m. that her remains were discovered.

Mamma D was part of Old Black Hollywood in the 1950s, acting for decades. Her remains were found at her home after the Eaton Fire.

Dalyce Kelley had dropped off her grandmother, Dalyce Curry, at home around midnight Tuesday. Curry, known as "Momma D," was exhausted after spending a full day in the hospital.

Kelley, who is her grandmother's part-time caregiver, had to take care of other family members and left for the evening. Kelley, like thousands of others, didn't think the fire - which had sparked just hours earlier, would turn into the monster it would become.

Dalyce woke up to a text alert that power had gone out at her grandmother's house and she rushed to the smoke-filled Altadena area first thing to check on Momma D.

"I'm sorry your grandmother's property is gone. It totally burned down," an officer said when she reached a barricade. He suggested Kelley check the Pasadena Civic Center where displaced residents were being sent.

Momma D had not been seen since that night.

By Friday, Kelley was escorted by a member of the national guard to her home.

"It was total devastation," Kelley said. "Everything was gone except her blue Cadillac."

Mamma D was part of Old Black Hollywood in the 1950s, acting for decades.

She was an extra in iconic films like "The 10 Commandments", "Blues Brothers" and "Lady Sings the Blues".

Despite being 95 years old, her granddaughters say she still had plenty of life to live.

"She was very active, you would not think she was 95," granddaughter Loree Beamer-Wilkinson said.

Kelley told Eyewitness News on Sunday before she learned of her grandmother's death that she was "still praying for a miracle," but feared the worst.

"Honestly we don't feel very hopeful that she's still here with us," Kelley said.

Previous report below:

A family is reeling with the uncertainty of whether their 95-year-old grandmother is dead after the Eaton Fire tore through her Altadena home.