Strong winds, dry conditions lingering across SoCal but looming rain raises landslides fears

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Last updated: Wednesday, January 22, 2025 5:29AM GMT
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LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- At least 28 people have died as multiple wildfires, fueled by severe drought conditions and strong winds, rage across Southern California.

Thousands of firefighters have been battling wildfires across 45 square miles of densely populated Los Angeles County. The two largest fires, the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, remain active.

Gusty conditions will return Wednesday, said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service's office for Los Angeles.

Red flag warnings for critical fire risk were extended through Thursday at 8 p.m. across L.A. and Ventura counties.

There's a chance of some rain for Southern California this weekend, raising fears of debris flows on scorched hillsides.

ABC News and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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7:31 AM GMT

Evacuation warning lifted for Jurupa Valley fire

A brush fire erupted in the riverbed of the Santa Ana River in Jurupa Valley and quickly grew to about 38 acres.

The fire was reported around 5 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Van Buren Boulevard and Clay Street, near the Western Riverside County/City Animal Shelter, according to CalFire.

CalFire initially said the Clay Fire was at two acres and burning at a slow rate of speed in the river bottom. No evacuation orders were issued, but an evacuation warning was in place for a couple of hours.

CalFire announced around 11 p.m. that the evacuation warning had been lifted, but cautioned that crews were still working in the area. The fire is 40% contained.

Firefighters battled a brush fire in Jurupa Valley that grew to about 38 acres.
1:26 AM GMT

Death toll in SoCal wildfires rises to 28

The L.A. County Medical Examiner has attributed an additional death to the Palisades Fire, raising the combined death toll from the Palisades and Eaton fires to 28.

As of Tuesday evening, the medical examiner has tied 17 deaths to the Eaton Fire and 11 to the Palisades Fire.

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Jan 21, 2025, 11:06 PM GMT

Schwarzenegger says he's donating $1 million for wildfire relief

Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday announced he's donating $1 million toward wildfire relief efforts in Los Angeles County, and the former California governor unveiled a new "L.A. Strong" T-shirt whose proceeds will also be donated.

In a social media post, Schwarzenegger said the $1 million will be divided between the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the California Fire Foundation, and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles.

"I don't like when companies or rich people ask their fans to make their donations for them," he wrote.

The T-shirt features an image of Schwarzenegger posing during his bodybuilding days.

"The shirt might look familiar - it's based on an LA classic they sell to tourists on the Venice boardwalk, except I can use my image," he added.

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Jan 21, 2025, 7:20 PM GMT

La Cañada Flintridge shows gratitude for pre-deployed firefighters

La Cañada Flintridge was one of several communities that was forced to evacuate during the Eaton Fire, and on Monday residents threw a pop-up appreciation party for fighters who were pre-deployed this week ahead of another round of powerful winds.

"I've been doing this since 1997 and I've never seen a show of support like this," Cal Fire Battalion Chief Joshua Rivers told ABC7.

The impromptu event was organized at La Cañada High School, where pizza, ice cream, snacks, and even takeout food from a Porto's Bakery were served in the gymnasium.

Community members showed their gratitude to pre-deployed firefighters by organizing a pop-up appreciation party -- complete with pizza and ice cream -- at La Cañada High School.

"The whole city -- everybody's trying to help," said Cynthia Xue, one of the residents who donated food.