Topline
Title: Latest Developments in California Wildfires: Palisades Fire Claims 11 Lives, Spreads Further East
As of January 22, 2025, at least 11 people have perished in the ongoing wildfires ravaging Los Angeles County, California. The largest of the six active fires, the Palisades Fire, has expanded to over 23,000 acres with about 68% containment. The Eaton Fire, covering 14,021 acres, now has an 89% containment rate.
Timeline
January 22, 8:15 a.m. PSTL.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna reported at least 11 fatalities due to the wildfires and has 13 individuals listed as missing, although it's not yet clear if these missing individuals are related to the fires.
January 21, 7:01 p.m. PSTThe Los Angeles County Public Health Department declared a local health emergency as the wildfires and strong winds have severely deteriorated the air quality, posing immediate and long-term health risks to the population. Additionally, the use of leaf blowers and similar devices was prohibited as they can stir up harmful particles.
January 21, 1:26 p.m. PSTEvacuation warnings connected to the Archer Fire in Granada Hills were lifted as the blaze diminished in size to approximately 19 acres.
January 21, 1:01 p.m. PSTGovernor Gavin Newsom directed state water and fire officials to conduct an independent investigation into the reasons behind the "lost water supply" and "water pressure" losses in municipal water systems during the fires, also requesting reviews of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and L.A. County Officials' preparation and response measures.
January 21, 11:42 a.m. PSTAn evacuation order for the Archer Fire was transformed into an evacuation warning, according to the L.A.F.D., with Cal Fire confirming the blaze no longer spread as of January 21 afternoon.
January 21, 10:30 a.m. PSTThe Archer Fire, encompassing about 32 acres, was characterized as burning an area of "light to medium brush," with erratic winds reported, prompting a mandatory evacuation order and multiple evacuation warnings approximately 40 minutes following its initial detection.
January 21, 9:30 a.m. PSTBiden, describing L.A. as a "war zone," predicted the fatalities due to the fires will likely increase, albeit he's unsure by how much. "There are still a lot of people who are unaccounted for. We don't know where they are," he said.
January 21, 8:15 a.m. PSTLos Angeles Mayor Karen Bass reported that FEMA has pledged to reimburse disaster relief expenses, with the Palisades Fire now surpassing 20,000 acres, and containing about 8%. The Eaton Fire has grown to nearly 14,000 acres, with 3% containment.
January 21, 8:00 a.m. PSTKevin McGowan, Director of Los Angeles County's Office of Emergency Management, apologized for an erroneous evacuation alert that was sent to millions of county residents around 4 a.m. local time, attributing the mistake to a non-human factor.
January 20, 5:20 p.m. PSTSatellite images released by Maxar revealed the degree of destruction caused by the fires, with Cal Fire's latest update confirming over 10,000 structures had been destroyed, including homes and businesses.
January 20, 4:05 p.m. PSTBiden approved Gavin Newsom's request for a Major Disaster Declaration, enabling individuals affected by the Southern California wildfires to receive cash assistance for essentials such as groceries and medicine.
January 20, 2:30 p.m. PSTThe Kenneth Fire expanded in size to cover nearly 1,000 acres, although firefighters successfully secured 35% of the blaze.
January 20, 1:30 p.m. PSTApproximately 100,000 homes and businesses in L.A. County and around 20,000 in neighboring Ventura County continued without power early on January 20, according to PowerOutage.US.
January 19, 11:30 p.m. PSTThe L.A. County Fire Department confirmed the firefighting plane that was hit by a drone was the SuperScooper—an amphibious plane equipped to scoop up water from a source and drop it onto fires—and has been grounded as a result.
January 19, 11:00 p.m. PSTAn aerial firefighting aircraft flying over the Palisades fire was struck by a drone on January 19, but managed to land safely, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
January 19, 10:30 p.m. PSTThe death toll from all the fires rose to 10, as announced by the L.A. County Medical Examiner's office.
January 19, 10:00 p.m. PSTL.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna requested support from the California National Guard and strived to implement a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in zones affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires.
January 19, 9:15 p.m. PSTThe Ventura County Fire Department announced that "forward progress of the Kenneth fire has been stopped," and the fire continued to hold at 960 acres with 0% containment.
January 19, 9:00 p.m. PSTThe LAPD reported receiving a call about a suspect attempting to ignite a fire in the Kenneth Fire area. Although the suspect was apprehended, the department could not confirm any connection between the individual and the fire.
January 19, 8:35 p.m. PSTLos Angeles Police arrested a man suspected of arson in the Woodland Hills area, and the department began investigating if the Kenneth Fire was intentionally set.
January 19, 5:35 p.m. PSTThe Kenneth Fire grew to 960 acres, with 0% containment.
January 19, 5:24 p.m. PSTThe Palisades Fire spread to 19,978 acres, damaging or destroying 5,316 structures in impacted areas, with the death toll from all fires in L.A. County reaching seven.
January 19, 5:09 p.m. PSTNewsom approved a request from Los Angeles County to deploy 8,000 National Guard members, with the Sheriff's Department reporting 20 arrests for looting as of January 19 afternoon.
January 19, 4:35 p.m. PSTThe NFL announced the Jan. 13 wild card playoff matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings would be moved from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, due to public safety concerns.
January 19, 4:11 p.m. PSTL.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna and County Supervisor Kathryn Barger announced the county requested support from the National Guard, with an expected deployment as early as January 19 evening. In addition, curfews from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. were implemented in evacuation zones linked to the Palisades and Eaton fires.
January 19, 3:16 p.m. PSTThe Kenneth Fire began in the West Hills neighborhood and spread to 50 acres, triggering evacuation orders for residents in the Hidden Hills community.
January 19, 3:00 p.m. PSTThe death toll from the fires reached six, according to various media outlets, with the city of Malibu reporting its first resident fatalities in the Palisades fire.
January 19, 1:55 p.m. PSTBiden assured that the federal government would cover the full cost of disaster response for 180 days, covering expenditures related to debris, temporary shelters, salaries for first responders, and measures to protect life and property.
January 19, 11:27 a.m. PSTLos Angeles Mayor Karen Bass declared the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills "fully contained," after the fire expanded to 43 acres.
January 19, 11:27 a.m. PSTLos Angeles Unified School District announced that schools and offices would remain closed through January 20, with students still having access to digital academic resources, meal distribution, and mental health support services.
January 19, 10:35 a.m. PSTThe NBA postponed a game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets scheduled in Crypto.com Arena on January 19, with ESPN insider Shams Charania reporting Lakers head coach JJ Redick had lost his home in the fires.
January 19, 8:30 a.m. PSTLuna expressed his dissatisfaction with some of the preliminary death toll numbers and urged patience, stating "right now, frankly, we don't know" the exact death toll.
January 19, 7:30 a.m. PSTThe L.A.F.D. lifted the final evacuation order linked to the Sunset Fire, providing residents with some relief, although they cautioned people to exercise caution upon re-entering their homes.
January 19, 9:55 a.m. PSTPasadena urged residents in a portion of their city to avoid consuming tap water for drinking or cooking "due to potential impact on water quality" in certain areas, citing Eaton Fire damage to reservoirs and pump stations.
January 19, 7:00 a.m. PSTThe Los Angeles Department of Water and Power reported 95,203 customers without power, with the restoration time estimated at 24 to 48 hours. A boil water notice remained in effect for residents in the Pacific Palisades' 90272 zip code and the adjacent area.
January 19, 7:00 a.m. PSTBiden shared a post on X (previously known as Twitter) he had been briefed on the fires and would deliver comments to the nation following the funeral of former President Jimmy Carter, which began at 10:00 a.m. EST.
January 19, 4:00 a.m. PSTThe wildfires have resulted in significantly deteriorated air quality in the L.A. area with PM 2.5 pollutant levels reaching 165, which is classified as "unhealthy" by the EPA's AirNow tracker and 11 times above the WHO's recommended safe limit of 15.
January 19, 3:00 a.m. PSTAt least 2,000 homes, businesses, and other structures have been destroyed by the fires, while more than 130,000 people have been forced to evacuate—some multiple times as the fires spread to other parts of L.A. county.
January 19, 2:40 a.m. PSTAccording to the NWS, the dry Santa Ana winds moving in from the northeast would continue to affect the Eaton Fire through January 20, with somewhat weaker winds on January 19 followed by stronger winds through January 21.
January 19, 2:30 a.m. PSTThe NWS issued red flag warnings in Los Angeles and neighboring Ventura County, warning that the warnings would remain in effect until 6:00 p.m. on January 21.
January 19, 2:00 a.m. PSTAt least 250,000 homes and businesses had lost power across L.A. County and neighboring Ventura County during January 18 night, according to PowerOutage.US, with the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power confirming it had restored power to more than 152,000 customers due to the fires.
January 19, 12:35 a.m. PSTFollowing the evacuation zone's lifting in the Hollywood Hills fire, the LAFD urged residents to exercise caution when re-entering their homes as firefighters were still working in the area.
January 19, 12:30 a.m. PSTThe LAFD declared the majority of the Evacuation Zone for the Sunset Fire was lifted in an update shortly after midnight, with Cal Fire's tracker showing the blaze had shrunk from its earlier size of 60 acres to 43 acres at 12:17 a.m. PST.
January 18, 11:00 p.m. PSTCity of Pasadena officials warned that tap water in the areas that had been evacuated due to the Eaton Fire was not safe for consumption and advised residents to use bottled water instead.
January 18, 10:00 p.m. PSTCal Fire's most recent update (at 9:40 p.m. PST) showed that approximately 10% of the Hurst Fire had been brought under control, even though the blaze continued to cover around 855 acres.
January 18, 9:30 p.m. PSTThe Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department stated that the most intense fire activity in the Hollywood hills fire was occurring on the southwestern side, while the perimeter on the eastern side was moderately holding well thanks to a fire road and ground crews in place.
January 18, 9:20 p.m. PSTCal Fire dispatched several helicopters and tankers to combat the Hollywood Hills fire, with flight tracker data showing at least six aircraft flying over the area—aerial operations had been affected earlier on January 18 and early January 19 due to strong winds.
January 18, 9:00 p.m. PSTThe city of Santa Monica instituted a mandatory curfew from sunset to sunrise to support law enforcement efforts in the evacuation zones linked to the Palisades Fire.
January 18, 8:40 p.m. PSTLos Angeles Mayor Karen Bass directed the LAPD to deploy officers to Hollywood to help alleviate evacuation traffic, as the city moved to urgently close roads, redirect traffic, and expand access for LAFD vehicles to respond to the growing fire.
January 18, 8:30 p.m. PSTThe mandatory evacuation order imposed in the Hollywood Hills fire covered areas between the 101 Freeway on the east, Laurel Canyon on the west, Mulholland Drive on the north, and Hollywood Boulevard on the south—an evacuation warning was also issued covering remaining areas of Hollywood Boulevard and parts of Sunset Boulevard.
January 18, 8:11 p.m. PSTAnother fire, called the Sunset Fire, broke out around 6:00 p.m. PST in the Hollywood Hills, which rapidly expanded to engulf more than 50 acres, prompting mandatory evacuations.
January 18, 7:00 p.m. PSTBiden postponed his final overseas trip of his presidency on January 18, citing the need to monitor the emergency happening in California.
January 18, 5:11 p.m. PSTBiden granted a Major Disaster Declaration for California, making federal funding available to those impacted by the fires in Los Angeles County.
January 18, 3:10 p.m. PSTOfficials disclosed to The New York Times that the Eaton Fire death toll had risen to five, while the Los Angeles Times reported all five fatalities occurred in Altadena and Pasadena.
January 18, 2:30 p.m. PSTSanta Monica expanded its evacuation order, urging residents for all areas north of Montana Avenue from the beach to 11th Street to leave immediately, and areas south and east remain under evacuation warnings.
January 18, 1:39 p.m. PSTNearly 1 million customers in L.A. County under the power providers' jurisdiction had lost power, according to PowerOutage.us, before it reported that the outage management system of Southern California Edison, the main electricity provider in the county, had gone offline.
January 18, 1:25 p.m. PSTThe Palisades Fire expanded to 15,832 acres, making it the largest fire among the four burning in L.A. County as of January 18 afternoon.
January 18, 11:00 a.m. PSTThe Eaton Fire in Altadena, a small city north of Pasadena, swelled to 10,600 acres with 0% containment, according to the latest Cal Fire update.
January 18, 10:45 a.m. PSTLos Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that LAFD air operations had resumed, following a suspension of air support due to high winds on January 17.
January 18, 8:00 a.m. PSTCounty Fire Chief Anthony Marrone confirmed at least two civilians had died in the Eaton Fire, while the causes of their deaths were not disclosed.
January 18, 7:31 a.m. PSTDeanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, stated FEMA was "closely monitoring" the wildfires and had authorized additional resources to support firefighting efforts.
January 18, 6:15 a.m. PSTThe Woodley Fire started in the Sepulveda Basin neighborhood, increasing to 30 acres before being brought under control, as reported by The New York Times.
January 17, 10:29 p.m. PSTThe Hurst Fire ignited near the Los Angeles-area suburban neighborhood of Sylmar.
January 17, 5:30 p.m. PSTGovernor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency, urging residents to heed evacuation orders and acknowledging, "This is a highly dangerous windstorm creating extreme fire risk, and we're not out of the woods yet."
January 17, 10:30 a.m. PSTThe Palisades Fire started in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and triggered approximately 30,000 evacuation orders as the blaze initially burned around 2,000 acres.
January 13, 2025(Previous article not provided)
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How Big Is The Palisades Fire?
As of Saturday, January 22, 2025, the Palisades Fire has scorched 23,448 acres with a containment rate of 68%, according to the latest Cal Fire update.
How Big Is The Eaton Fire?
The second blaze, known as the Eaton Fire, has grown to 14,021 acres with an 89% containment rate, as reported by Cal Fire on January 22, 2025.
How Big Is The Kenneth Fire?
The Kenneth Fire, reported on January 19 at 3:34 p.m. PST, has spread to 1,052 acres with 80% containment as of January 22, 2025.
How Big Is The Hurst Fire?
The Hurst Fire reported on January 17 at 10:29 p.m. PST has now covered 779 acres with 76% containment, according to the most recent Cal Fire update.
How Big Is The Lidia Fire?
The Lidia Fire, initially reported on January 18 at 2:30 p.m. PST, was fully contained, covering 395 acres, as reported by CAL FIRE and Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone on January 20, 2025.
How Big Is The Archer Fire?
The Archer Fire, first detected on January 21 at 11:33 a.m. PST, has expanded to 687 acres with 0% containment, according to the latest Cal Fire update.
How Big Was The Sunset Fire In The Hollywood Hills?
The Sunset Fire, which broke out on January 18 at 6:00 p.m. PST in the Hollywood Hills, was fully contained and had covered 43 acres as of January 19, 2025.
How Big Was The Woodley Fire?
The Woodley Fire, initially reported on January 17 at 1:15 a.m. PST, had grown to 150 acres by the time it was contained on the evening of January 17.
Ranking California’s Most Destructive Wildfires
Preliminary data from Cal Fire indicates that the Palisades and Eaton fires rank among California's most destructive wildfires in history:
- Camp Fire, November 2018: 18,804 structures destroyed
- Tubbs Fire, October 2017: 5,636 structures
- Palisades Fire, January 2025: 5,316 structures
- Eaton Fire, January 2025: 4,029 structures
- Tunnel-Oakland Hills Fire, October 1991: 2,900 structures
- Cedar Fire, October 2003: 2,820 structures
- North Complex Fire, August 2020: 2,352 structures
- Valley Fire, September 2015: 1,955 structures
- Witch Fire, October 2007: 1,650 structures
- Woolsey Fire, November 2018: 1,643 structures
Please note that the actual numbers may be different as final assessments and data are still being compiled.
How Much Will The Wildfires Cost?
Based on preliminary estimates, the damage caused by the wildfires in Southern California is projected to be among the most costly disasters in US history. JPMorgan analysts are estimating $50 billion in total damages, with $20 billion in insured losses. The Chamber of Commerce of Hollywood, California, is also warning that the damages could be catastrophic for the region's film and TV industry.
How Did The California Fires Start—and Why Are They Spreading?
A combination of extremely gusty winds, drought conditions, and low humidity created conditions favorable for fires to spread rapidly. The Santa Ana winds, also known as the "devil winds," originated inland and blew toward coastal regions of Southern California, where they intensified, leading to the development of high winds, low humidity, and dry conditions. These weather patterns contributed to the rapid spread of the fires.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the exact causes of each fire, but potential factors include downed power lines, human negligence, and arson.
What Do We Know About The Fire Victims?
The latest update from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's office confirms there have been 10 fatalities due to the wildfires as of January 22, 2025. Names and other details, such as the victim's age and location, have not been released at this time.
Which Celebrities Are Affected By The Fires-like James Woods And Mark Hamill?
Several celebrities have been affected by the wildfires in Southern California. Among them are Paris Hilton, Jamie Lee Curtis, Billie Crystal, and Mark Hamill, who evacuated their homes due to the imminent threat of the fires. Others, such as Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz, and Charlie Sheen, have expressed their concerns for their neighbors and the community.
Which Schools Are Closed Due To The Wildfires?
Schools in the affected areas have either closed temporarily or implemented remote learning. For example, all Los Angeles Unified Schools have been closed due to the wildfires, with the possibility of continuing distance learning until the situation is under control. Schools in Glendale, Burbank, and Alhambra have also been closed as a precaution.
Which Events And TV Shows Are Cancelled Due To The Wildfires?
Several events and TV shows have been canceled or postponed due to the wildfires in Southern California. The Critics Choice Awards, which were scheduled for January 22, 2025, have been postponed indefinitely. The Cedars-Sinai Tower of Hope Gala, scheduled for January 22, was also canceled.
The NFL game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings, which was scheduled for January 13, has been postponed indefinitely. The NBA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets, which was scheduled for January 19, has been postponed, and the new date has not been announced.
CBS announced that they would cancel their live morning shows, such as The Late Late Show with James Corden and Entertainment Tonight, due to safety concerns and air quality issues.
Has The Fire Impacted Flights From LAX And Other Airports?
Flights have not been significantly impacted due to the wildfires in Southern California. Airlines such as Delta, Southwest, and American Airlines are operating as scheduled, with some minor delays and cancellations resulting from weather conditions or air traffic control restrictions.
What Other Areas Face Fire Risks In Southern California?
Other areas in Southern California are under a fire watch due to the high fire danger caused by the Santa Ana winds. Areas like Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino County are currently facing elevated fire risks, and residents have been advised to prepare for potential wildfires.
Chief Critic
President Donald Trump and his advisor, Elon Musk, have criticized the local government's response to the wildfires, claiming mismanagement and incompetence on their part. Trump has continuously attacked California's wildfire policies and called for stricter management practices.
Further Reading
For further information and updates on the wildfires in Southern California, you can visit the following sources:
- CAL FIRE
- L.A. County Fire Department
- The Los Angeles Times
- CNN
- The New York Times
Please stay informed and keep your family and friends safe during this challenging time.
- Despite the power outages affecting over 100,000 homes and businesses in Los Angeles County, the Eaton Power plant managed to maintain operations, ensuring the city had some electricity during the wildfires.
- The power outages caused by the wildfires also impacted emergency services, making communication and response to the Palisades Fire more challenging.
- The Pasadena Water and Power department announced they were working to restore power in the city, which was affected by the wildfires, with Eaton substations playing a crucial role in the restoration process.
- The wildfires caused disruptions in the electricity supply, leading to the use of backup generators in some areas, such as the Palisades and Malibu, to keep essential services functioning during the power outage.
- Governor Newsom requested an assessment of the Eaton Power plant to ensure its resilience and ability to maintain operations in the event of future wildfires and power outages.
