Deadly Los Angeles wildfires: Crews scramble to contain blazes ahead of high winds – CNN
• Firefighters are in a critical stage of their six-day battle against deadly Los Angeles wildfires. Crews report progress but officials say the fire threat will remain very high as dangerous winds return this week.
• At least 24 people have died, and dozens are missing, but officials say it’s not yet safe to assess the true total. Here’s what we know about the victims.
• Questions over LA’s preparedness for the firestorm have led to political finger-pointing. Experts tell CNN the region faced a devastating combination of circumstances.
• The Eaton and Palisades Fires are likely the second and fourth most destructive in California history, according to Cal Fire. Wildfires are fueled by a knot of factors but scientists say global warming is loading the dice in favor of more severe blazes. And California is uniquely susceptible to climate change.
• How to help: For ways to help Los Angeles County residents, visit CNN Impact Your World.
Our live coverage of the Los Angeles County wildfires has moved here.
The total area burned by the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires is approximately 38,629 acres as of 2:30 a.m. ET, according to figures released by Cal Fire.
That roughly equates to 60 square miles.
The city of Paris is 40 square miles, meaning the fires have burned through an area of land bigger than the capital of France.
The Palisades Fire alone is approximately 37 square miles (23,713 acres) according to Cal Fire, so is nearing the size of Paris.
Utility companies are still working to restore power to tens of thousands of customers, with many areas experiencing deliberate electricity shutoffs for safety reasons.
As of Sunday evening, about 18,500 customers in the city of Los Angeles are still without power, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP).
Utility giant Southern California Edison (SCE) on Sunday said it had about 63,000 customers without power — an increase from the previous day, mostly due to the deliberate shutoffs “implemented in response to weather conditions.”
SCE and LAPWP have already restored power to hundreds of thousands of customers since the fires began last week, and have crews on the ground assessing fire-affected areas to prepare for restoration efforts.
“Once fire agencies release areas for restoration, damage assessment crews inspect areas and remove safety hazards,” said SCE. This includes clearing debris and vegetation to support crews restoring power lines; once those repairs are complete, power is restored first to essential services, then to customers.
Wind forecast: Southern California Edison warned that dangerous conditions — such as the powerful Santa Ana winds forecast to come early this week — could impact that progress, and even prompt more pre-emptive safety power shutoffs.
Water shortages: The power shutoffs are important to protect firefighters from falling power lines — but also posed a problem last week when crews faced water shortages from hydrants.
In Altadena, where the Eaton Fire broke out, issues with dry hydrants were traced back to a lack of electricity, said Bob Gomperz, a board member at a utility company that provides water to the western region of Altadena.
In foothill communities like Altadena, he said, water needs to be pumped into tanks at higher elevations so the water can flow downhill when needed relying on gravity. But after those tanks were drained by firefighters, they couldn’t be refilled – the power shutoffs meant they couldn’t pump water to where it was needed.
President Joe Biden also pointed to the same issue last week, saying fire officials brought generators into those areas to facilitate water pumping.
Los Angeles County Fire Department Section Chief Ken Haskett urged “patience” and “grace” when asked when people should expect to return home to assess what remains from the wreckage. The damage inspection is far from over, he told CNN.
“We estimate that well over 5,000 homes have been destroyed just in the Palisades,” Haskett said. “It’s devastating.”
“Infrastructure is destroyed. We are in a disaster,” he said.
“This is something … at least in my history … I haven’t seen since I was born. These are fuels that haven’t burned since the 50s.”
Haskett says that the city and state will hopefully “get some reform” that will make buildings stronger and more resilient to such disasters.
“I ask for people’s grace, please, and patience – we’re doing this as quick as possible”
The Eaton Fire has left countless families displaced, each with their own story to tell.
For residents like Derek Russell Jr., the pain is compounded, CNN affiliate KABC reported. Just a month after burying his father, Derek Russell Sr., on December 6, Russell Jr. faced another heartbreaking blow when their Altadena home was consumed by flames on Tuesday.
“I didn’t even go through his stuff yet because I wasn’t ready. I was just trying to learn how to grieve for myself for that,” he told the outlet, reflecting on the weight of his loss.
“This means everything. This is his legacy,” Russell Jr. told KABC, clutching his father’s American flag, the only remnant of him.
Building codes and land use planning have been “extraordinarily useful” for minimizing damage and loss of life from natural disasters like earthquakes across California, Jay Lund, a professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of California, Davis, told CNN.
The same could be done for wildfires, but fire codes for many buildings in Southern California are outdated and were likely implemented around 2007, the most recent 2010, Lund said.
Los Angeles’ unique typography of slopes and hills means that storing water locally for wildfire mitigation will prove to be challenging as houses are usually elevated, the professor added.
“There are quite a few communities in southern California where before you can build a development, you have to basically build the structures so that a fire can come through and not kill people,” he said.
A continued and persistent Santa Ana Wind event is ongoing across Southern California, where red flag warnings are in effect through Wednesday including the Palisades, Hurst and Eaton Fires.
On Monday: Winds are expected to slightly increase through the day and could gust between 45-55 mph. The possible gusts have put nearly eight million people under critical fire weather, per the Storm Prediction Center.
On Tuesday: Winds are expected to peak from the morning through to Wednesday at noon, where the National Weather Service has issued “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red flag warnings for parts of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. These warnings include the Hurst Fire and are nearby but not including the Palisades and Eaton Fires. Although not as severe as last week, winds could still gust between 45-70 mph.
What does that mean for the fires? These gusty winds will combine with very dry air and ongoing drought to exacerbate conditions for firefighters desperately battling to increase containment. There is a chance of “extremely critical” fire weather, the highest level, to be issued by the prediction center for parts of Ventura County on Tuesday.
These locations fall into the “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red flag warnings:
Western San Gabriel Mountains along the I-5 Corridor, Santa Susana Mountains, southern Ventura County Mountains, Ventura Valleys (mainly near Simi, Moorpark, South Mountain and Piru to Santa Paula), Northern San Fernando Valley along Highways 118 and 210 from Porter Ranch to San Fernando, western Santa Monica Mountains and the Ventura County Coastal Plain (mainly hills above Camarillo/Oxnard westward to Ventura).
Kim Kardashian has called for higher pay for incarcerated firefighters battling the blazes in Los Angeles County, according to multiple US media reports.
In several posts on her Instagram stories, Kardashian thanked the LA Fire Department and the state’s Cal Fire agency for “using every ounce of their strength to save our community.”
“On all 5 fires in Los Angeles, there are hundreds of incarcerated firefighters, risking their lives to save us,” according to screenshots of the posts shared by several media outlets. “I see them as heroes,” she wrote, adding that they “get paid almost nothing.”
“I am urging (Gov. Gavin Newsom) to do what no Governor has done in 4 decades, and raise the incarcerated firefighter pay to a rate (that) honors a human being risking their life to save our lives and homes.”
Some context: The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation told CNN that, as of Friday, nearly 1,000 inmates have been working to stop the fires.
Depending on skill, these inmates earn between $5.80 and $10.24 per day in an emergency. Cal Fire also pays the crew members an additional $1 per hour. They work a 24-hour shift, and the least skilled crew member earns at least $26.90 per day.
Royal Ramey, who worked as a firefighter while incarcerated and was pardoned by Newsom in 2022, told CNN last week the inmates perform the same work as regular firefighters.
“We’re out there. We’re in the front lines. We’re utilizing tools. We’re going out and we’re out there cutting line and doing our thing,” he said.
Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD Foundation has pledged $2.5 million to support wildfire relief efforts in Southern California, according to a social media post. The contribution to the newly established LA Fire Relief Fund is earmarked to assist families in the Altadena and Pasadena areas, which have been severely impacted by the wildfires.
The donation, according to the post, aims to address the immediate needs of those impacted, extending support not only to families but also to churches and community centers in other affected regions. The initiative, the foundation says, underscores its commitment to addressing immediate community needs.
Firefighters made good progress on Sunday, with milder winds allowing them to fully contain some smaller blazes such as the Lidia, Kenneth and Sunset Fires.
But winds are picking up again Sunday night — and expected to stay strong over the next few days, posing a challenge as fire crews battle the ongoing Palisades and Eaton Fires.
Here’s where the fires stand:
The toll: At least 24 people have died due to the fires. LA County Sheriff Robert G. Luna said his office has received “dozens and dozens” of missing person reports.
More than 12,000 structures have been destroyed by the Eaton and Palisades Fires alone, making them likely the second and fourth most destructive fires in California’s history respectively, according to Cal Fire.
The forecast: Stronger winds are expected to resurge Sunday night heading into Monday, bringing “critical fire weather conditions” through mid-week, according to the National Weather Service. These gusts could reach up to 60 miles per hour, in areas already impacted by severe drought.
Much of Southern California, stretching from Ventura County to San Diego, are now under red flag warnings, which signify high fire danger.
Firefighting efforts: On Sunday, there were more than 14,000 emergency personnel battling the fires on the ground and in the air, according to Cal Fire. States near California, as well as countries including Mexico and Canada, have also sent help. The LAFD sought to reassure citizens that it is ready to tackle the challenges ahead.
“We are ready. Mayor (Karen) Bass, Chief (Jim) McDonnell, myself, our city leaders, are fully fully committed to ensure that we’re ready for this next event,” said LAFD Chief Kristin M. Crowley, who is facing criticism for prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion in the department.
The possible causes: Fire agencies are investigating whether Edison electrical equipment contributed to the Hurst Fire. The fire was reported at around 10:10 p.m. and a circuit experienced a relay a minute later, according to Edison International.
Evacuations: About 105,000 residents are still under mandatory evacuation orders. If weather and fire conditions permit, authorities will begin trying to get people from evacuation zones back to their communities starting Thursday, the Los Angeles County Fire Chief said.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said that “tremendous prepositioned resources” are in place in Mandeville Canyon ahead of “potentially dangerous winds” from Monday through Wednesday night.
“I’m up here in Mandeville Canyon, which was the site in the last two nights of tremendous investment and resources. Firefighters working the lines – a lot on those assets still here not only in anticipation of a potential flareup here in the Palisades Fire, but also prepositioned,” Newsom said in a video published on social media on Sunday night.
CNN Meteorologist Allison Chinchar earlier said wind speeds had begun increasing from single digits into the teens and are predicted to continue rising through Wednesday.
“We’re not going to really get a break for several more days,” she says, with some wind gusts as high as 60 miles per hour expected in areas already impacted by severe drought.
More than 40,300 acres across California have been burned by 105 fires in the first 11 days of the year, Cal Fire spokesperson Brice Bennett said in a video update posted Sunday night.
The Eaton and Palisades Fires –– which have, combined, burned nearly 38,000 acres –– are likely the second and fourth most destructive fires in California history, he said.
The Eaton Fire, which saw minimal growth on Saturday, is currently at 27% containment, Bennett said, after searing through more than 14,000 acres.
Roughly 7,081 structures were destroyed by the fire, the Los Angeles County Fire Department noted in a Sunday update, though damage inspection reporting is only 24% complete.
The Palisades Fire, which burned more than 23,700 acres, is at 13% containment, according to Cal Fire.
More than 14,000 emergency personnel on land and in the air are battling the multiple blazes spread across Southern California, with the Kenneth Fire now at 100% containment and the Hurst Fire at near total containment, according to Benett.
Red flag warnings remain in effect in Ventura, Los Angeles and Orange Counties, as well as parts of San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego Counties until Wednesday.
The role of climate change: Wildfires are fueled by a knot of factors, both natural and human-caused, but scientists say that global warming is loading the dice in favor of more intense and severe blazes. Here’s why California is uniquely susceptible to the worst of human-caused climate change.
Los Angeles police are warning of scammers who are “actively targeting vulnerable individuals and families, exploiting their distress” in the aftermath of the devastating fires.
According to a community alert issued Sunday, some common scams include:
To avoid these scams, police advised the public to always verify the authenticity of the callers or individuals — for instance, hanging up and calling back the agency through their official number, or checking so-called job offers directly on the agency’s official website.
Legitimate organizations will not ask for payment using unusual platforms like cryptocurrency, police said.
Other warnings: On Saturday, California Attorney General Rob Bonta urged people to be cautious of scams, some of which have targeted elderly people and immigrants who may not speak English as a first language.
An LA County supervisor also warned on Saturday of fundraising scams appearing on GoFundMe, saying that those who are caught running these scams will be prosecuted by the district attorney’s office.
Firefighters with the Orange City Fire Department found a ring amongst the rubble of a home lost in the Palisades Fire and were able to return the heirloom to the family it belonged to.
“While battling the flames, Fire Engineer Garrett received a message about a family who had to evacuate without taking their belongings,” the department said on Facebook. One of those belongings was a ring that was “a treasured heirloom passed down through three generations.”
The crews went back to where the house was and after sifting through debris, found a safe. Inside was the ring.
“It was truly a miraculous moment for our family. We didn’t lose everything,” the family told the fire department.
“It was a glimmer of hope that came at the hands of an incredible group of men that I am eternally grateful for. It was a moment of joy and tears that we will never forget. Thank you.”
Mandatory evacuation orders are now lifted for the Hurst, Kenneth, Lidia and Sunset Fires, according to California Gov. Gavin Newsom – but remain in place for the Palisades and Eaton Fires.
The Eaton Fire is now 27% contained, while the Palisades Fire is 13% contained, according to Cal Fire. The Hurst Fire stands at 89% contained, and the rest have been fully contained.
However, Newsom warned, “Residents are strongly encouraged to continue heeding evacuation warnings still covering these affected areas.”
If weather and fire conditions permit, authorities will begin trying to get people from evacuation zones back to their communities starting Thursday, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said Sunday.
The Los Angeles Unified School District will reopen almost all schools and offices Monday.
Seven of the district’s 1,302 schools will remain closed, Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho said in a Sunday evening press conference.
Carvalho said that two of the district’s schools that are not reopening Monday were “victims of the destructive power of the fire in the Palisades.”
“These schools will not reopen, they need to be rebuilt before anything happens in that area,” he explained.
The reopened schools will operate on an inclement weather schedule which limits outdoor activities and athletics, and masks will be available for students and employees, the district said in a release.
The remaining schools “will reopen as soon as conditions allow, at which time, we will notify families,” reads the release.
The district will continue to monitor conditions overnight and notify families of any changes to the plan by 5:30 a.m. PT on Monday.
LA Unified is the second largest school district in the United States, and the largest in the state of California, serving more than 600,000 K-12 students.
A total of 24 people have died due to the California wildfires, according to an updated death toll from the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner.
The cases are still under investigation by the department.
Wildfire survivors forced from their homes might be able to access up-front reimbursement of their evacuation costs from insurers, Consumer Watchdog executive director Carmen Balber told CNN.
“If you’re in an evacuation area – and especially if you already know you lost your home – contact your insurance company right away. You can get an advance on your policy limits.”
Balber said residents should get copies of their insurance policy, start collecting receipts and document every conversation with their insurer in order to get claims paid quickly.
It was also crucial not to begin clearing debris from homes until an inspection had taken place, she said, so insurers could see the full extent of the damage.
Balber warned the financial impact of the fires on consumers could be great, with some uninsured after being dropped by insurance companies, others unable to get adequate insurance “and, critically, consumers who are going to have to fight to get every dollar of insurance benefit that they’re entitled to.”
Some homeowners in increasingly fire-prone areas of California have been unable to get insurance or to have existing policies renewed in recent years.
The state’s California FAIR Plan has provided an insurance option for those unable to access private insurance but with higher premiums and less coverage.
The California Department of Insurance recently announced new regulations designed to get private insurers to start writing policies in fire-prone parts of the state.
However, Balber has previously criticized the new policy for “lack of teeth,” saying it may drive up rates rather than coverage.
Consumer Watchdog is a nonprofit, nonpartisan Consumer Advocacy Group focusing on the insurance market in California.
The Los Angeles Fire Department does not have any information that the Palisades Fire is linked to a fire that broke out nearby on New Year’s Eve, Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley told reporters today.
At a news conference on the fire Sunday afternoon, officials were asked if the earlier blaze, which was declared contained within a day, was being considered in the investigation.
We do not have any information that there’s any connections but that’s the good thing when we bring in an outside resource that is going to look into every single detail …
LA City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley
LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell responded that the LA Fire Department, LA County Fire, LA Police Department, LA County Sheriff’s Department, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Federal Bureau of Investigation were “working together in taskforce configuration to try and find source and origin of this fire and all of the fires we’ve experienced.”
He said once the investigation was complete “you’ll be made aware.”
Crowley added: “We do not have any information that there’s any connections but that’s the good thing when we bring in an outside resource that is going to look into every single detail to make sure that Fire Service knows, the community knows, exactly where and how and when all of this occurred – and that’s across the region in regard to all the other fires that occurred, even outside of the Palisades.”
The LAFD reported early New Year’s Day that a brush fire had broken out in Pacific Palisades, north of Palisades Drive – an area now within the current Palisade Fire.
That fire was eventually contained the same day after growing to 8 acres.
“Some resources will be released as the mop up operation continues to ensure no flare ups. No structures damaged and no injuries reported,” the LAFD said in its final alert on the blaze.
Hundreds of wildfire evacuees and volunteers have gathered for free food and other resources at a grassroots donation center outside Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, according to CNN affiliate KABC.
The ad-hoc donation center emerged after a group of street-vendor friends joined forces to feed people, KABC reported. A portion of the park has been blocked off for the donation center and donations will be accepted through Sunday evening.
Aerial video of the scene showed large crowds assembled at the park, with volunteers moving stacks of donated goods.
The park canceled racing for the weekend due to the ongoing fires.
A total of 931 inmates are currently working around the clock, cutting fire lines and removing fuel from behind structures to slow the spread of California’s devastating wildfires, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
The group includes 114 incarcerated people working as support staff, the department said.
Participants are paid by the department between $5.80 and $10.24 per day depending on skill level and they can earn an additional $1 per hour from Cal Fire when assigned to an active emergency, according to a fact sheet from the department.
Most of them receive 2-for-1 credits – meaning they receive two additional days off their sentence for each day they work. Support staff receive 1-for-1 credits.
“Wildfires are a constant and formidable challenge for California, and CDCR conservation fire camps remain dedicated to supporting the state’s response,” said California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Jeff Macomber.
“The work of our incarcerated firefighters and staff is an essential part of this effort, and their commitment to protecting lives and property during these emergencies cannot be overstated.”
Participants who complete the program can seek record expungement and many former participants go on to work for Cal Fire, the U.S. Forest Service and interagency hotshot crews, according to the department.
More on incarcerated firefighters: CNN previously reported on incarcerated California firefighters and a training program that helps them transition to firefighting jobs after their release. Former inmates can join a free, 18-month program at the Ventura Training Center that trains them to work as professional firefighters.
Rising winds in the Los Angeles area are expected to complicate firefighting efforts over the next few days, with little respite from the weather until later in the week.
CNN Meteorologist Allison Chinchar says wind speeds have begun increasing from single digits into the teens and are predicted to continue rising through Wednesday.
“We’re not going to really get a break for several more days,” she says, with some wind gusts as high as 60 miles per hour expected in areas already impacted by severe drought.
January is usually the area’s second wettest month but since October 1 the Los Angeles area has had only 0.03 inches of rain compared to its usual 4.6 inches.
“This is not the time of year you normally see fires this large, especially spreading so quickly,” Chinchar said. “But it’s because that brush, that vegetation that’s on the ground, is so dry it’s able to spread those fires so quickly. “
In six or seven days, humidity is expected to increase, Chinchar says, but the changing conditions may have limited impact.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to result in a tremendous amount of rain, but at least even a little bit of some higher humidity levels would allow these firefighters at least a better opportunity to get some of those containment numbers up as well.”
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said on Sunday that efforts to start getting people from evacuation zones back to their communities will begin on Thursday.
“Before I end I just wanted to talk about the repopulation of areas that were under evacaution order or evacuation warning. This is a priority for the unified incident command. Not only for the Palisades Fire, but also the Eaton Fire. Unfortunately, those conversations are not going to begin until the next predicted red flag ends on Wednesday,” Marrone said, adding that officials will begin talks about repopulation “first thing Thursday.”
The forecast: Winds are expected to pick back up this week after a brief reprieve, with a red flag warning in place in Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Wednesday. Combined with dry vegetation, the winds “will support rapid spread and erratic behavior of any new or existing fires,” the warning said.
Teams of undercover federal and local law enforcement officers are patrolling Los Angeles County fire evacuation areas, a law enforcement source involved in the response tells CNN.
Undercover personnel in civilian clothes and driving unmarked vehicles are searching for potential looters scouting out evacuated areas, as well as keeping an eye on the skies for drones flying in violation of flight restrictions, the source said.
Al Hugo, an Altadena-based firefighter, who lost his home in the Eaton Fire, told CNN on Sunday he never thought his home would be hit.
“It’s kind of surreal, I mean it’s something that really hits home, you know, you do this for a living, but, you know, you invest your-your life to try to, you know, protect life and property. But when it’s your own, it’s just a different feeling,” Al Hugo said
He said he and his wife were vigilant in keeping an eye on the fire throughout the night and “we evacuated just when the fire got to the point where we. we had to.”
His wife Carmen Hugo said, “It was really hard. I didn’t know what to do. I just said, ‘It smells like the smoke is right here in the house’ and then we got the alarm to evacuate. And then that’s when we left.”
She said they didn’t have time “to get anything from the house because we never thought it was going to burn.” Al and Carmen Hugo were able to evacuate their dogs from the house.
“I have two big dogs, one’s a senior, 13 years old, can hardly walk and then the other dogs and the two rescues,” Carmen Hugo said.
Al Hugo said he was supposed to report to duty the following morning but he stayed home to help his wife who raised concerns about the fire.
“I’ve never in-in my wildest dreams ever think it was going to hit as close as it did to my house,” he said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced he will deploy 1,000 more service members with the National Guard to Los Angeles.
The service members will help fight the fires and assist with public safety efforts, Newsom said in a news release.
The addition brings the total number of National Guard members deployed to Los Angeles to around 2,500, according to the release.
“The men and women of the California National Guard have been on the ground since day one – not only fighting fires, but also assisting with public safety efforts in communities devastated by these fires,” said Newsom in the release. “We thank them for their efforts to keep our communities safe.”
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky says firefighters from his country are on standby to help fight the California wildfires.
“Today, I instructed Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs and our diplomats to prepare for the possible participation of our rescuers in combating the wildfires in California,” Zelensky said Sunday in a post on X. “The situation there is extremely difficult, and Ukrainians can help Americans save lives,” he said. “… we have offered our assistance to the American side through the relevant channels. 150 of our firefighters are already prepared.”
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau earlier announced that 60 Canadian firefighters were being deployed to help in California.
They would join 70 firefighters from Mexico who were due to arrive in California Saturday afternoon.
In an X post Saturday, California Governor Gavin Newsom said the firefighters from Mexico would be joining more than 14,000 personnel already on the ground.
“California is immensely grateful to our neighbors’ support in the fight against the wildfires in Los Angeles,” Newsom said on X.
Zelenksy’s offer of Ukrainian help comes as his country prepares for the transfer of power from US President Joe Biden to Donald Trump.
Ukraine’s President had been due to meet Biden in Rome last Friday, but the White House announced it was cancelling the meeting to focus on the California wildfires.
On Thursday, the Biden administration announced it was giving Ukraine a final tranche of military aid amounting to about $500 million.
The US has given Ukraine more than $65 billion in aid since the country’s war with Russia began in late February 2022 but it is unclear whether military assistance will continue once President Trump returns to office.
Trump has said he wants to end the war but has questioned the value of aid to Ukraine and the US commitment to NATO.
Kaye Young’s mother’s home was destroyed in one of the wildfires that have rapidly spread in Los Angeles this week, hitting historic communities where families have had ties for generations.
Young told CNN on Sunday that she was able to walk into the burn area to see her mother’s Altadena home on Thursday. Altadena, a neighborhood that lies below the Angeles National Forest in northeast LA, was the center of the devastation from the Eaton Fire, which has destroyed thousands of structures and left at least 11 people dead.
Young found all the homes on her mother’s street had burned — to the point that you could see from one block straight across to another — and that the middle school she had attended was also razed.
She says her kids, nieces and nephews all have history in her mother’s home. Now, “It’s not there anymore.”
Young’s son, Aarron Flowers, told CNN his grandmother bought the home in 1959: “She’s a retired nurse. My mom’s a retired nurse. There’s a lot, a lot of pride in our community.”
CNN’s Fredricka Whitfield noted the significant history in Altadena, a neighborhood known as a bastion of Black home ownership and a refuge from discriminatory redlining practices. She asked the mother and son whether they were concerned about the community maintaining that legacy.
Flowers said the reality that he will not be able to bring his child to see his grandmother’s home is “shocking.”
“There’s always the fear that, you know, the people who are here won’t be able to rebuild and, you know, you’ll see those certain pillars of the community not be there anymore,” Flowers said. “I’m hoping that the younger generations will stay. I’m hoping there are resources available for the ones that are still here.”
Flowers also noted that they are unsure of the status of Young’s own home, which — last they saw on news reports — was still standing.
Fire agencies are investigating whether Edison electrical equipment contributed to the Hurst Fire, according to a Sunday news release from Edison International.
The fire was reported at around 10:10 p.m. local time, and a circuit experienced a relay a minute later, says the release. A downed power line connected to the circuit was also found, but Edison says they don’t know “whether the damage observed occurred before or after the start of the fire.”
The utility says they have submitted Electric Safety Incident Reports related to both the Hurst and Eaton fires. Edison says the reports are often submitted to the California Public Utilities Commission before the company “can determine whether its electric facilities are associated with an ignition.”
CNN has reached out to the Los Angeles Fire Department for comment.
Director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Dr. Tomas Aragon told CNN that it was important that people take care of their mental wellbeing.
“The most important thing during any time of traumatic event is to have positive social connections,” Aragon said.
Emotions prompted by the fires could feel overwhelming, he said. “It’s natural to feel this way. Please, please connect with folks,” Aragon said. He directed residents needing professional services to mentalhealth.ca.gov.
Aragon also warned Californians to be conscious of the hazards of wildfire smoke, regardless of whether they were close to the fires.
“This smoke can travel hundreds – hundreds – of miles away,” he said. “Recognize that when you smell smoke, you’re being exposed, but if you don’t smell it, you could still be exposed. “
He encouraged residents to keep across air quality in their neighborhood and in affected areas to recirculate air inside and try to maintain a clean room with an air purifier.
Wearing a N95 mask was also key, Aragon said.
“It reduces the amount of particulates you’re going to breathe in. And it could really help — help for acute symptoms, but also long term symptoms, because those particulates get deep into your lung, they get into your blood, they cause inflammation, and you can have symptoms weeks later, related to an exposure you have today.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom says 53 teams of inspectors are working to complete inspections on all structures damaged by the wildfires – with the hope of completing inspections within two weeks.
Inspectors will assess and document each property, paving the way for property owners to begin dealing with insurance and rebuilding, Newsom explained in an interview with CNN’s Kyung Lah. The inspectors’ findings will also be available online so property owners can assess the damage remotely.
The inspections will encompass thousands of homes. “Whatever resources they need, we said we’re going to provide it,” the governor said.
Once inspections are complete, the “Herculean effort” of removing debris will begin, Newsom said.
Removing all the debris and toxic material left behind as homes and buildings burned will likely take between six and nine months, according to the governor. The process is complicated by toxic waste, as well as the need to remove debris in a way which will be compatible with the rebuilding effort, he said.
“I’m for efficiency, transparency, moving forward in a cost-efficient manner,” he said. “And then being accountable to the next step again, which is not just scraping, cleaning things up, but getting the rebuild going.”
President Joe Biden will convene “key officials” in a virtual briefing on the wildfires in Southern California on Sunday, the White House said.
The president will be briefed on “efforts to suppress the wildfires across Los Angeles and how the federal resources he has directed are supporting the State and local response,” an official said.
Vice President Kamala Harris is also expected to attend, the official added.
The following officials will also attend the briefing, according to the White House: Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients, FEMA Region 9 Administrator Bob Fenton, US Forest Service Chief Randy Moore, Homeland Security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall and deputy Homeland Security adviser for Resilience and Response Caitlin Durkovich.
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Sunday suspending some requirements to build under state environmental laws in an effort to help fire victims rebuild faster.
Newsom’s order suspends some permit and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Act for people impacted by the wildfires.
“We want you to come back, rebuild – and rebuild with higher quality building standards, more modern standards; we want to make sure that associated costs with that are not disproportionate, especially in a middle-class community like this,” Newsom said in an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press in Altadena, California.
The order also directs state agencies to identify other permitting requirements that can be suspended to allow faster, more affordable rebuilding.
“California leads the nation in environmental stewardship. I’m not going to give that up, but one thing I won’t give into is delay,” Newsom said on Meet the Press.
Newsom also extended protections against price gouging on building materials and other essential goods for the next year.
Photos released by the FBI show the damage done to the wing of a Canadian “Super Scooper” plane when it collided with a civilian drone Thursday, forcing it to be temporarily grounded.
The specifically designed CL-415 firefighting plane, used to scoop up more than 1,500 gallons of ocean water, was helping to fight the devastating Palisades Fire.
The collision caused a three-by-six-inch hole in the plane’s wing, according to the FBI.
The FBI said it is seeking the public’s help to identify a suspect.
“These fire suppression efforts using aircraft is probably the most effective tool that our firefighters have against fighting these fires to help contain them,” Akil Davis, FBI assistant director in charge of the Los Angeles field office, told CNN on Saturday. “When you take one plane out of commission like that, it’s going to impact the speed in which the fire grows, it’s going to cause loss of property, potentially loss of life, and it’s a danger to everybody all around.”
Authorities were able to recover some pieces of the privately-owned drone, said Davis.
The damaged plane, Quebec 1, should be back up flying by Monday, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said Friday.
Authorities have vowed to prosecute all drone flights in areas over the wildfires, which they say are illegal and may interfere with firefighting efforts.
The total number of people arrested during the wildfires in Los Angeles has climbed to approximately 29, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Sunday.
“Yesterday in Palisades, we had one arrest for curfew violation. Unfortunately, they resisted arrest,” Luna said. “And Eaton, we had six arrests last night, three for curfew violations and three for additional charges, including carrying a concealed firearm and narcotics-related charges.”
According to Luna, 25 people have been arrested in the area of the Eaton Fire and four in the area of the Palisades Fire.
Luna recalled the LAPD arrests of individuals who were posing as firefighters to walk freely in and out of houses.
“…He was dressed like a fireman, and he was not. He’d just got caught burglarizing a home,” the sheriff said.
Luna said the individuals that authorities were running into in the fire zones do not live in those areas.
“The individuals that we’re contacting do not live in the areas where we’re arresting them; we’re finding out they have zero business being in these areas,” Luna said. “So I do want to reiterate to our communities: if you do not belong in these affected areas, do not go there. You are subject to arrest.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Sunday there is no animosity or lack of communication between the city and President-elect Donald Trump, adding she has spoken to representatives of his incoming administration.
“I joined in the invitation to the incoming president to come to Los Angeles. I joined with the supervisor and the governor. Spoke directly with the incoming administration yesterday. It was a fine call,” Bass said.
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger said she has sent a letter to Trump inviting him “to see the devastation of these wildfires firsthand,” and meet with impacted residents.
Barger and Bass said they thought Trump would visit the city soon. Trump was less cordial in a Truth Social post Sunday.
“The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost,” Trump said. “There is death all over the place. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?”
Donald Trump, Truth Social
Bass said she had not had a direct conversation with Trump, but has spoken to people in his incoming administration, noting some of her former congressional colleagues will soon be joining the administration.
California is counting on outside resources to bolster its response to the wildfires burning across Los Angeles County, Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla said Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press.
“Now the whole world knows what we mean when we say ‘red flag warnings,’” Padilla said. “When it’s dry, when it’s warm and the winds kick up, regardless of the cause of a fire, it has the chance to spread much more quickly,” he continued.
When asked whether he has faith in Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, the senator said, “I do have faith in our leaders, and not just as individuals, but especially because we — after disaster, after disaster, after disaster — have gotten really good at working together.”
Padilla said the state could always use more resources, but the mutual aid assistance program has helped provide some relief.
Crews have come in from Central and Northern California, as well as a number of other states including Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah, to help fight the fires, he said.
“Collectively, we’re putting all the resources we can towards fighting these fires,” he said.
When asked whether he believes incoming President Donald Trump will uphold President Joe Biden’s promise to have the federal government cover 100% of California’s recovery costs for at least six months, Padilla cited an invitation for Trump to tour the impacted areas.
“Just as Californians have been there for other regions of the country in their times of crisis, it’s time for the country to unite behind California, and that includes incoming President Trump,” he said.
Editor’s Note: A new episode of “The Whole Story: LA Burning” premieres tonight at 8 p.m. ET on CNN. Anderson Cooper examines the conditions that led to this outbreak and the stories of those who have lost everything.
“All of the reports that I’ve received is that the L.A. County water system is ready and it will be prepared to assist us in fighting a wildland fire,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said during a news conference Sunday.
Seventy water tenders previously requested by Cal Fire have arrived, Marrone said.
High winds are expected to make the battle to get the fires under control even tougher.
“The more resources that are flooding in to help us with our current fires, the better we are prepared to pre-deploy, knowing that this wind event is coming,” Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin M. Crowley added.
Officials started a grid search and rescue operation in the Eaton area Saturday, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said during a news conference Sunday.
“Unfortunately, during that search, we did locate three deceased,” Luna said. “As these searches continue, I unfortunately anticipate that those numbers will increase.”
Luna said they plan a similar search operation on the north side of the county soon.
At least 16 deaths connected to the wildfires have been reported: 11 from the Eaton Fire and five from Palisades, the Los Angeles County medical examiner said Saturday.
Luna urged residents to report anyone they suspect is missing.
The sheriff’s department currently has at least 16 missing person reports, 12 in Eaton and four in the Palisades, Luna said, citing one bit of “good news”: none of those missing are juveniles. However, he said the department has already received “dozens and dozens more” reports that have yet to be counted.
“If you believe somebody is missing, please report it to your local law enforcement agency,” Luna said.
More than 13,000 people have so far donated over $6 million to the California Community Foundation’s Wildlife Recovery Fund, which will support Los Angeles residents affected by the wildfires, Mayor Karen Bass said at Sunday’s news conference.
“People are coming from everywhere to help us and make sure that we are ready for the days ahead,” said Bass. “So to them, I want to say thank you.”
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger on Sunday committed to helping those impacted by wildfires in the short and long term, including providing access to every resource available.
“While fighting the fires remains our top priority, we are rapidly deploying resources to ensure that the displaced residents have access to the resources that they need in the short and the long term,” Barger said. “My commitment to these that are impacted is simple: I’m going to see this through with you. We will not let up using every resource to fight existing fires. Displaced residents will be served to the highest level as we address your housing, welfare, health care and economic needs.”
Barger shared a story of a couple she met on Saturday who lost their home “and the business burned down and he lost his job and they have no insurance. People are suffering.”
Evacuation orders in Los Angeles County due to the Palisades and Eaton fires are down over the past few days, but continue to impact over 100,000 people, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff.
Approximately 105,000 residents are under evacuation orders and approximately 87,000 residents are under evacuation warnings, LA County Sheriff Robert G. Luna said at a news conference Sunday.
“If you are asked to leave, and you’re in an evacuation order area – your life is in danger. You need to leave,” Luna said.
The sheriff acknowledged how difficult it must be for residents to stay away, but said the affected areas remained unsafe.
“Driving around some of these areas, they literally look like war zones. There are downed power poles, electric wires. There are still some smoldering fires. It is not safe…” Luna said. “We want to get you back into your homes, but we can’t allow that until it is safe for you to do so.”
The Eaton Fire is 14,117 acres and 15% contained, while the Palisades Fire is 23,707 acres and only 11% contained, according to Cal Fire.
Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley on Sunday urged residents who fled the Palisades Fire to be patient, saying evacuation orders and warnings remain in place because the conditions still present a threat.
Crowley acknowledged the frustration of residents who want to return home. But first responders are still “working as quickly as possible” to make sure things are safe before allowing people back into the community.
“There are still active fires that are burning within the Palisades area, making it extremely, extremely dangerous for the public,” Crowley said. “There’s no power, there’s no water there’s broken gas lines, and we have unstable structures.”
Firefighters overnight were met with “favorable wind conditions,” Crowley said, which helped prevent the fire from spreading further into the Mandeville Canyon area. The fire has so far burned more than 23,700 acres, and it’s 11% contained.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said Sunday that the threat of fire remains high, asking residents for patience with power shutoffs.
“These winds, combined with low relative humidities and low fuel moistures, will keep the fire threat in Los Angeles County very high. I asked our county residents in wildfire-prone areas to understand that the necessary public safety power shut-offs are important for our collective safety in preventing the next wildfire natural disaster,” Marrone said.
The Eaton Fire burning at the edge of the Angeles National Forest in the Altadena, California, area has been over a quarter contained since it began five days ago.
The fire has charred 14,117 acres so far and is 27% contained, according to the latest data from Cal Fire.
The Eaton Fire has destroyed many homes and businesses, and quickly become one of California’s deadliest fires, responsible for 11 of the deaths reported so far.
The Los Angeles area wildfires remain “dangerous,” FEMA Director Deanne Criswell told CNN’s Jake Tapper Sunday, as the federal government braces for what is likely to be a lengthy and complex response heading into the next administration.
“The winds are potentially getting dangerous and strong again. I believe the red flag warnings have been put back in place, and so I think the biggest thing that people need to know is that this is still dangerous, and they still need to make sure they’re listening to their local officials so they can keep themselves safe,” Criswell said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
With just eight days until President-elect Donald Trump takes office, Criswell said her agency would work through the transition like it has every other, delivering needed services to those eligible for them.
Tapper also pressed Criswell on recent comments by Trump going after California Gov. Gavin Newsom, asking if she is concerned politics could get in the way of disaster relief.
“We need to make sure that they are never politicized, right,” Criswell said. “It doesn’t matter if you are Democrat or Republican, these types of weather events, they do not discriminate.”
At least 16 people have been confirmed dead as four major wildfires continue to burn in and around Los Angeles, with officials scrambling to contain the blazes ahead of high winds that threaten to undo progress made in the fight against the flames.
In the meantime, tens of thousands of people remain under evacuation orders. Others, having returned home to find they’ve lost everything, face a “long road to rebuilding” their lives.
Here’s the latest:
This post has been updated to reflect the latest containment numbers for the Eaton and Hurst fires.
More than 150,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders Saturday night, Michael Traum, an official with the California Office of Emergency Services, said in a briefing posted online.
More than 700 people were staying in nine available shelters, Traum said.
An expanded evacuation order was issued for the Palisades Fire on Friday, and the University of California, Los Angeles, has told students to be prepared for a potential evacuation, as evacuation warnings get closer to the campus.
Nearly 180,000 residents in the county were under evacuation orders Thursday, according to Sheriff Robert Luna, with close to 200,000 residents under evacuation warnings.
An evacuation order is mandatory, while a warning prepares residents that they may soon need to leave.
As firefighters continue to battle raging fires across Los Angeles County, a cut to the Los Angeles Fire Department 2025 budget and its commitment to recruiting a more diverse force have come under attack.
Four major fires across the LA area have killed 16 people, scorched over 38,000 acres and damaged at least 10,000 structures. More than 150,000 people are under evacuation orders, according to the California Office of Emergency Services.
As crews work to contain multiple infernos, LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley is facing criticism for prioritizing diversity, equity and inclusion within the department. Meanwhile, Crowley has expressed concerns about a $17.4 million cut to the department’s 2025 budget, which included reductions in overtime staffing.
The finger-pointing has politicized what’s being described as the most destructive fire in LA history.
Los Angeles Fire Commission President Genethia Hudley-Hayes says it’s “out of line” to blame any local official for the magnitude of the fires, saying the focus should be on helping the residents who have lost everything.
The commission is composed of a five-person civilian board appointed by the mayor, and affirmed by the city council that oversees the fire department.
“This is not the time to demonize people,” Hudley-Hayes said.
The fire department budget has grown steadily year-over-year from $674.27 million in 2019 to $819.64 million in 2025, but it is down from $837.19 million in 2024. However, Hudley-Hayes stated that it has been underfunded for at least a decade.
Read more about the scrutiny facing LAFD.
CNN Chris Boyette, Elise Hammond and Emma Tucker contributed to this report.
At least four wildfires continue to burn through Los Angeles County, but as each fire is more and more contained, firefighters and other resources are becoming freed up to join the continuing efforts to get the largest and least-contained Palisades Fire under control.
The Kenneth Fire in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties is 90% contained and the Hurst Fire in the City of Los Angeles is 76% contained, according to CalFire.
“You’re going to see crews that will be released from those incidents that can then be deployed to the Palisades Fire,” CalFire spokesperson Chris Harvey told CNN’s Amara Walker and Victor Blackwell Sunday.
The Palisades Fire, which has been raging since January 7, is currently 23,654 acres and only 11% contained, according to CalFire.
The Eaton Fire has killed at least 11 people, ranking it among California’s deadliest wildfires.
There have been at least 16 deaths from the wildfires raging across Los Angeles County: 11 from the Eaton Fire and five from Palisades, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said Saturday. And officials say that likely isn’t the final count.
The deadliest blaze in the state’s history was the Camp Fire, which killed 85 people in Butte County, according to CalFire.
The top ten fires on the agency’s list of most deadly have killed between 11 and 85 people per fire, with one incident dating back to 1933. That fire, the Griffith Park Fire, also took place in Los Angeles. It burned 47 acres in October 1933 and killed 29 people, according to CalFire.
First-time homeowners Brent and Tasia Callum watched as their home in Altadena burned in a raging wildfire.
“It was unreal. It was literally a nightmare,” Tasia Callum told CNN. “I was hoping that our house would still be standing, and just to pull up, to see our house just fully engulfed in flames is heartbreaking, you know? All the work we put in and it’s just gone.”
The couple evacuated with their two young children as the flames burned toward Altadena.
“It was scary,” Tasia Callum told CNN’s Amara Walker and Victor Blackwell on Sunday. “Initially seeing the flames on top of the mountain, and then as we left, the flames had come all the way down the mountain by that time.”
She called the couple’s house a “fixer-upper,” but said they had put their “all into it.”
“We turned it all the way over. It was very nice and beautiful, and we loved it. It was home,” she said.
The mother of two said she doesn’t think their 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter have completely grasped what happened to their home. The Callums represent the third and fourth generations of their family to live in the traditionally Black neighborhood.
“Altadena is very important to myself and my family,” Brent Callum said. “My grandparents lived in Altadena, my wife’s grandparents lived in Altadena. Both of our parents live in Altadena. We live in Altadena and our children obviously live in Altadena. So, it’s four generations of people living in Atadena. This is home to us. We love it.”
Brent Callum said the family could not imagine leaving Altadena, and despite the tragedy, they will rebuild once the time is right.
“A lot of southern California was redlined. This was the only place that African Americans could stay, so it’s very important to us,” he said.
The next few days will prove critical to the firefighting effort, with dry weather and strong winds expected to continue before temperatures cool toward the end of the week, according to the National Weather Service.
A Red Flag Warning, which means there are likely “critical fire weather conditions,” is in place for Los Angeles and Ventura counties through 6 p.m. local time Wednesday. The more extreme conditions are due to “moderate to locally strong Santa Ana winds,” according to the weather service.
The strongest winds are expected to come Sunday morning, easing through the day before picking back up late Monday going into Tuesday.
“The very dry vegetation combined with the prolonged extreme fire weather conditions will support rapid spread and erratic behavior of any new or existing fires,” the warning said.
Red Flag Warnings are also in place for other parts of Southern California, including inland Orange County and the Inland Empire, the areas just south and east of Los Angeles.
Earlier on Saturday, firefighters and experts told CNN the Santa Ana winds could blow westward toward the coast — which could cause the Palisades fire, which had been shifting east, to blow back on itself — helping tame the fire by forcing it onto land that’s already been burned with little fuel left.
Possible rain: Relief could come by the end of the week, when temperatures cool, humidity rises, and winds ease — with even a chance of light rain next weekend, according to the weather service.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) thanked on social media the number of partners — locally, federally and internationally — who have helped fight the Los Angeles wildfires in the past week.
“CAL FIRE extends our heartfelt gratitude to the extraordinary departments, states, and countries that have stepped up to support California in this time of need. Whether by land, air, or sea, your dedication and effort have been invaluable,” the state agency wrote Saturday.
“Together, we are stronger,” Cal Fire said.
Canada and Mexico have both provided aid to California’s firefighting efforts, as well as crews from Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Idaho, Oregon and Washington, according to Cal Fire.
On Saturday, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger invited President-elect Donald Trump to visit the region and see firsthand the damage inflicted by multiple catastrophic wildfires since Jan. 7.
Officials have confirmed at least 16 deaths from the devastation, with the ongoing Eaton, Hurst, Kenneth and Palisades fires spreading to more than 38,000 acres combined. The overall death toll, however, remains unclear — many areas are still unable to be searched by emergency personnel.
The invitation comes on the heels of California Gov. Gavin Newsom inviting Trump to survey the damage on Friday. Trump previously visited California in 2018 to see the toll in Paradise caused by the Camp Fire, the deadliest wildfire in state history.
“By accepting this invitation, Mr. President-Elect, you will join us in supporting our citizenry and thanking our heroic first responder, who have risked their own lives to save others,” Barger said in an open letter posted on X.
“We would also ask you, as our President, to stand with the people of Los Angeles County as we set our course to rebuild. Your presence would be deeply felt and appreciated.”
President Joe Biden said Thursday that the federal government will cover 100% of the costs for the initial response to the fires. He has also authorized the FEMA Serious Needs Assistance program, which includes offers of up to $770 to victims of the devastation as an upfront payment for essential items.
The White House said on Saturday that Biden was briefed on “efforts to suppress” the wildfires, and spoke with Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and Ventura County Supervisor Kelly Long on separate calls.
Firefighters had a productive day Saturday, with favorable wind conditions helping crews contain the edges of major blazes and create firelines that prevent further spread. But winds could pick back up heading into the new week, potentially bringing new challenges that firefighters are now gearing up for.
Here’s the latest on the size and containment of the major fires:
Largest fire pushes inland: The Palisades fire’s eastern flank was brought into further focus Saturday as additional responders and resources combated growing flames. Across two fronts, the communities of Brentwood, Encino, Bel Air, Sherman Oaks and West Los Angeles remain at risk, among others. Malibu has lost a third of its eastern edge to the Palisades fire, its mayor said Saturday.
The forecast: Winds are expected to pick up into the week, with a possible Santa Ana wind event that brings hot, dry gusts from the mountains west toward the coast. But that could push the Palisades fire – which had been traveling east – back onto itself, onto already-burned land with little fuel left, helping firefighters contain its edge, a battalion chief told CNN late Saturday.
For Giorgi and Leonardo Antinori, the most devastating part of losing their home to the Palisades fire wasn’t just the displacement and material damage — it was losing the cremains of their late daughter, who had died as a baby more than a decade ago.
“Her ashes were in our home, and they’re gone,” said Giorgi, speaking to CNN Saturday night. “Every memory, every piece of physical evidence of her life is just gone, and that hurts.”
The couple and their second daughter, aged 2, had lived in the Palisades Bowl, a mobile home community that housed “a lot of singles, young families and older residents who were priced out of Santa Monica and Venice, or who have just lived there since the ‘70s,” Giorgi said. “It was very, very modest.”
They evacuated on the first morning of the fires, and “by 5 o’clock, everything was up in flames,” she said. By the next morning, “our park was gone.”
Making things worse, they didn’t have home insurance — though fires are common in Los Angeles, they had never reached that far into the Palisades before, typically staying contained in the canyons, the couple said.
“The prices of insurance just got so high, and we were still trying to recover from the last four years of everything changing after Covid,” Giorgi said. They’d planned to pick up insurance after recovering economically — never thinking “in a hundred million years … that our house would go up in flames.”
Thankfully, many friends and loved ones have reached out offering the family a place to stay — but it’ll still be a long road to rebuilding. “I never realized how loved we were by our community, and it’s just been overwhelming to see people help us,” Giorgi said.
Winds could pick back up in the coming days after a brief reprieve — posing a potential threat as firefighters work to contain four major fires still burning across Los Angeles — but it could also offer an unexpected boon by changing the direction of the blaze, said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Brent Pascua.
Speaking to CNN Saturday night, Pascua said fire crews had worked “24/7, all night” to reinforce the firelines they’d created — which are boundaries created by clearing away fuels like vegetation, and digging down to the soil level, to help prevent fires and embers from spreading.
“Today was a very productive day. We used all our aircraft, our air tankers, our helicopters, in conjunction with our hand crews, hose lays,” he said.
There is a risk the next few days bring Santa Ana winds, which are hot, dry gusts that flow down the sides of mountains toward the California coast — and could jeopardize those firelines.
However, Pascua said, it could also change the direction of the fires. The Palisades fire has been moving east in the past day, pushing toward Interstate 405 — but Santa Ana winds can blow to the west. So if the winds do arrive, “it’s actually going to move (the fire) away from the freeway and head back towards the coast … it will blow this fire pretty much back onto itself,” he said.
That’s what happened in the Encino area on Saturday — shifting wind directions pushed the fire back “where there’s already (land) burned and there’s no fuel to burn,” helping crews contain the fire edge, he said.
As Santa Ana winds propelled a series of raging wildfires that wiped out homes and businesses across once-picturesque swaths of Southern California — killing at least 11 people — tens of thousands have been forced from their homes this week in a haze of uncertainty: What to pack? How long will they be gone? What will they return to?
A vintage green-leather Rolex watch case. An Alekos Fassianos painting. A hard drive and albums with family photos. These are some of the cherished items they took.
Read what California evacuees saved and what they were forced to leave behind.
Tens of thousands of California residents will decide whether to permanently relocate or rebuild their homes after the most destructive fires in Los Angeles’ history.
Insurance companies may cover thousands of dollars in temporary housing and living expenses — unless homeowners are underinsured or not covered.
“The policy is generally going to cover the cost of additional living expenses while you are out of your home, to maintain what is kind of your usual standard of living,” said Karen Collins, the vice president of American Property Casualty Insurance Association’s property and environmental division.
For example, if someone’s insurance covers $100,000 for a property, the insurance company might cover another $20,000 — or 20% — in additional living expenses, Collins said.
Peter Vanek, president of PVRK, a Southern California-based real estate consulting company, said his home was destroyed by a battery fire in 2023. His insurance initially estimated $350,000 for the house. After Vanek provided evidence of what was lost, his insurance paid twice as much, including living expenses while he relocated, and the house was rebuilt.
Leave or build again? Insurance coverage plays an outsized role in the decision to move or invest resources into reconstruction. For some with insurance, it could boil down to having pictures of the property before the damages and updating insurers with home estimates.
“(Homeowners) might not have disposable income to cover the difference between whatever their insurance is going to cover and what their cost is to rebuild their home, replace all of their items,” Vanek said.
The current wildfires in Los Angeles County are the costliest and most destructive in its history. The insured losses could exceed $20 billion, according to a report by JPMorgan Chase.
Read more about the difficult choices facing California homeowners here.
A new investigative task force is being created in response to the wildfires, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell announced Saturday.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will be taking over as the lead investigator on the task force, he said.
The ATF will be working to determine the origin and cause of the Palisades Fire, the agency’s Los Angeles office said in a tweet.
“Certified fire investigators have been on scene and will continue to work in conjunction with state and local investigators to determine the cause of this tragic event,” the agency said.
The same national response team that investigated the Maui wildfire is expected to join the investigation of the Palisades Fire, two people briefed on the matter told CNN. Their assistance was requested by Los Angeles fire officials.
The team can determine whether power line failures, arson, or other causes were involved in starting the blaze.
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