US: Wildfire response continues in Los Angeles County, CA, as of early Jan. 9 /update 6

Emergency crews are continuing to work to contain three major wildfires and several other smaller fires burning in Los Angeles County, California, as of early Jan. 9. The blazes continue to spread amid strong winds, and little progress has been made toward containing the major fires amid the challenging conditions. Authorities confirmed that more than 2,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged by the fires, including homes, schools, and businesses, and at least five people have been killed in and around Altadena and Pasadena by the fires. More than 137,000 residents have evacuated their homes due to the rapid spread of the fires. The combination of large-scale evacuations and multiple road closures due to the fires has caused severe traffic congestion in the affected areas. Authorities have deployed more than 1,800 firefighters to tackle the blazes. The fires and strong winds have also led to power outages in some areas, with more than 83,000 people without power across LA County and more than 170,000 others across surrounding counties of southern California as power companies have implemented emergency shutdowns. Authorities have declared a state of emergency due to the fires and President Joe Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for California. The Santa Monica City Council has issued an emergency order, including a sunset-to-sunrise curfew in all areas where mandatory evacuation orders are in effect.

Air quality alerts, red flag warnings, and high wind warnings remain in place across parts of LA County and surrounding areas of southern California as of early Jan. 9; further fire growth is likely in the coming hours and days. Air quality has reached hazardous levels in parts of the region due to smoke from the fires. The City of Pasadena has issued an urgent alert concerning unsafe drinking water in areas impacted by the Eaton Fire due to debris and elevated turbidity in the drinking water system. Despite the smoke from the fires, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has advised it is open and operating as normal as of Jan, 9; however, passengers are advised to check the status of their flights with their airlines. Multiple school districts canceled classes; all schools within Pasadena and Glendale Unified School Districts are closed through at least Jan. 10 and all schools in LA Unified School District through at least Jan. 9. University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is also closed.

As of early Jan. 9, the following wildfires continue to threaten homes and cause evacuations:

Palisades Fire
The Palisades Fire broke out southeast of Palisades Drive at around 10:30 Jan. 7, impacting areas such as Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and Santa Monica. As of early Jan. 9, the fire burned to around 6,974 hectares (17,234 acres) and was zero percent contained. Authorities issued evacuation orders and warnings for tens of thousands of residents across the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Topanga, and other surrounding areas; for the latest information regarding evacuation orders and warnings click here. Officials may issue additional evacuation orders and warnings in the coming hours. Authorities have set up emergency shelters at the Westwood Recreation Center, El Camino Real Charter High School, and the Pasadena Convention Center. Several roads in the vicinity of the fire are closed, including parts of the Pacific Coast Highway and Interstate-10. To view the latest updates

Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire broke out in the hills above Altadena near Eaton Canyon the evening of Jan. 7, affecting areas such as Altadena, Pasadena, and Sierra Madre. The fire burned to around 4,290 hectares (10,600 acres) and is zero percent contained as of early Jan. 9. Officials issued evacuation orders for more than 52,000 people in Altadena and surrounding areas and evacuation warnings are in place for other surrounding areas; for the latest information regarding evacuation orders and warnings click here. Authorities have established an evacuation center at the Arcadia Community Center and Pomona Fairplex. In addition, affected residents can access evacuation shelters at the Westwood Recreation Center, El Camino Real Charter High School, and the Pasadena Convention Center, which are also open to those affected by the Palisades Fire.

Hurst Fire
The Hurst Fire broke out near Diamond Road in Sylmar late Jan. 7, affecting areas such as Sylmar and Granada Hills. The fire grew to around 346 hectares (855 acres) and was 10 percent contained as of early Jan. 9. Authorities issued evacuation orders and warnings for several zones in the vicinity of the fire; for the latest information regarding evacuation orders, click here. Officials opened an evacuation shelter at the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima.

Sunset Fire
The Sunset Fire broke out on 2300 block Solar Drive in Hollywood Hills the evening of Jan. 8, affecting areas such as Hollywood Hills. The fire has grown to around 17 hectares (43 acres) and was zero percent contained as of early Jan. 9. Authorities have issued evacuation orders for several zones covering the area between Laurel Canyon Blvd on the west, to Mulholland Dr on the north, to 101 Freeway on the east, and down to Hollywood Blvd on the south. Evacuation warnings have been issued for surrounding zones. To view the latest information regarding evacuation orders, click here.

Smoke from the fires could worsen air quality in the affected areas over the short term. Depending on the progression of the wildfires, the status of nearby roads could change over the coming hours and days. Authorities will probably close routes within the wildfire complexes and evacuate communities depending on fire activity and the needs of response operators. Further power outages are likely in affected areas. Low visibility from smoke and possible ashfall will probably contribute to traffic delays and congestion in the region.