US: Wildfire response continues in Los Angeles County, CA, as of late Jan. 12 /update 11

Emergency crews continue to work to contain two major wildfires and several other smaller fires burning in Los Angeles County, California, as of late Jan. 12. Red flag warnings are in place across most of southern California through at least the evening of Jan. 15 due to high winds forecast.

The wildfires burned or destroyed more than 12,000 structures, including homes, schools, and businesses, and are threatening at least 60,000 other homes. Authorities reported at least 16 fatalities associated with the fires but warned the figure will likely rise. At least 16 others remain missing. Over 180,000 residents evacuated their homes due to the rapid spread of the fires, and another 200,000 are under evacuation warnings. Authorities stated that the evacuation orders and warnings are unlikely to be lifted before the red flag warnings expire the evening of Jan. 15. The combination of large-scale evacuations and multiple road closures due to the fires caused severe traffic congestion in the affected areas. Authorities deployed more than 7,500 firefighters to tackle the blazes. The fires and strong winds also led to power outages in some areas, with tens of thousands of people remaining without power across LA County and surrounding counties of southern California amid emergency shutdowns. Authorities declared a state of emergency due to the fires, and President Joe Biden approved a Major Disaster Declaration for California.

Authorities arrested at least 29 people for looting in areas affected by the fires. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department issued a curfew order for all areas under evacuation orders and warnings for the Palisades Fire 18:00-06:00. The Santa Monica City Council issued an emergency order, including a sunset-to-sunrise curfew in all areas where mandatory evacuation orders are in effect. Officials issued boil water notices and advised residents to avoid drinking tap water in parts of the affected area, including Altadena, Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, and San Fernando Valley, due to contamination of the drinking water system by fire debris.

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 late Jan. 12; further fire growth is likely in the coming hours and days. Air quality remains at unhealthy levels in parts of the region due to smoke from the fires. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is operating normally as of late Jan. 12; however, officials advised passengers to check the status of their flights with their airlines. Multiple school districts canceled classes; all schools within Santa Monica Malibu, Pasadena, and La Canada Unified School Districts remain closed.

As of late Jan. 12, the following wildfires continue to threaten homes and cause evacuation orders and warnings:

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 late Jan. 12, the fire burned to around 9,596 hectares (23,713 acres) and was 11 percent contained. Authorities issued evacuation orders and warnings for tens of thousands of residents across the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Topanga, and other surrounding areas; the latest information regarding evacuation orders and warnings can be found here. Officials may issue additional evacuation orders and warnings in the coming hours. Authorities have set up emergency shelters at Westwood, Stoner, and Pan Pacific recreation centers in Los Angeles, Lanark Recreation Center in Canoga Park, El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills, Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima, Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, Sherman Oaks Recreation Center in Sherman Oaks, Pomona Fairplex in Pomona, and the Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village. Several roads in the vicinity of the fire are closed, including parts of the Mulholland Highway, Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), and Interstate-10.

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 5,713 hectares (14,117 acres) and is 27 percent contained as of late Jan. 12. 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 Pasadena Convention Center.

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 has grown to around 312 hectares (799 acres) and was 89 percent contained as of late Jan. 12. Officials opened an evacuation shelter at the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center in Pacoima. All evacuation orders and warnings in relation to the fire have been rescinded. The latest information can be found here.

Officials lifted all evacuation orders and warnings for the Kenneth Fire burning in West Hills, the Sunset Fire in Hollywood Hills, and the Lidia Fire near Acton. As of late Jan. 12, all three fires are 100 percent contained.

Officials from Los Angeles County have declared a local health emergency early Jan. 11 and urged residents to remain indoors with doors and windows closed due to degraded air quality. Authorities also advised residents to use air conditioners to filter the air and wear a P100 or N95 facemask if they need to go outside. Officials have temporarily banned the use of power air blowers. Depending on the progression of the wildfires, the status of nearby roads could change over the coming hours and days. Authorities will probably close more routes within wildfire complexes and evacuate additional communities depending on fire activity and the needs of response operators. Further power outages are likely in affected areas.