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10 January 2025
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Five killed, thousands displaced as Los Angeles wildfires spread to Hollywood, US
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Starting on 7 January 2025, an ongoing series of wildfires have affected the Los Angeles metropolitan area and surrounding regions. The fires, which include the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire and Sunset Fire, were exacerbated by very low humidity, dry conditions, hurricane-force Santa Ana winds that in some places exceeded 130km/h, significant wildlife mismanagement and logistical failures. As of 8 January 2025, the wildfires have killed five people, destroyed or damaged more than 2 000 structures and forced more than 137 000 people to evacuate. See latest update from CAL FIRE in read more.
On 6 January 2025, California governor Gavin Newsom stated he would delegate 65 fire engines, seven helicopters, seven water tenders, and 109 workers towards combating any wildfires that arose. Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass issued warnings to residents to avoid wind-downed power lines and emphasised the risk of the windstorm becoming one of the most significant in over a decade. In advance of potential wildfires, all 114 tanks making up Los Angeles' water infrastructure were filled.
As of 9 January 2025, there are five fires burning throughout the city. The extreme intensity of the windstorm coupled with dry vegetation due to prolonged drought conditions caused fires to spread rapidly and caused embers to fly and set spot fires far away.
Palisades Fire
A significant wildfire, dubbed the Palisades Fire, ignited near the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood in Los Angeles, rapidly expanding to encompass 5 000 acres (2 000ha; 20km2). This fire necessitated mandatory evacuations along sections of the Pacific Coast Highway and surrounding areas, with the Westwood Recreation Centre serving as an emergency shelter. During midday, the fire was reportedly expanding at a rate equal to "three football fields of land per minute", with firefighters attempting to work despite strong winds. Immediate evacuation orders were issued for residents of Santa Monica living north of San Vicente Boulevard. At 12h11pm PST on8 January 2025, the City of Malibu urged all residents that had not left already to prepare to evacuate due to the fire being uncontained. Evacuation orders were given for the LA neighbourhood of Brentwood. As of 13h23pm PST on 8 January 2025, the fire has burned 15 832 acres (6 407ha; 264.07 km2)
Eaton Fire
Shortly after 7 January 2025 at 18h15 PST, a brush fire in Eaton Canyon in the Altadena-Pasadena region, dubbed the Eaton Fire, was first reported with an area of 20 acres (8. ha; 0.081 km2). By 19h12, the fire had grown to at least 200 acres (81 ha; 0.81 km2) in size, with Los Angeles County Fire Captain Sheila Kelliher remarking that the fire would grow rapidly due to the ongoing windstorm. Within six hours, the Eaton Fire had grown to 1 000 acres (400ha; 4.0 km2) in size. The Terraces at Park Marino evacuated 95 senior citizens, with images showing many in wheelchairs and wearing only gowns. Evacuations were later expanded in Pasadena and in northern Sierra Madre and Arcadia. The AltaMed Medical Centre and several residences in Hastings Ranch were "engulfed in flames". By 8 January 2025 at 10h36 PST, the fire had jumped to 10 600 acres (4 300ha; 43 km2). At midday, the fire began to advance into residential zones of Pasadena. All of La Cañada Flintridge was ordered to evacuate. Five people have died in the fire.
Hurst Fire
At 22h10 PST on 7 January 2025, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported that a 50 acres (20ha; 0.20 km2) brushfire in northern Sylmar, dubbed the Hurst Fire, had a "rapid rate of spread" and instituted immediate evacuation orders for all areas north of the Foothill Freeway between Roxford Street and the Interstate 5–California State Route 14 split. At 01h47am on 8 January 2025, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported that the fire had grown to 500 acres (200ha; 2.0km2). By 21h40 PST that night, the Hurst Fire had grown to 855 acres (346ha; 3.46km2).
Sunset Fire
The Sunset Fire started in the Hollywood Hills near Runyon Canyon Park on 8 January 2025 at 17h39 PST. This fire resulted in officials issuing an evacuation order for the Hollywood Hills area, which included tens of thousands of people. The area included in the evacuation order was bordered by Laurel Canyon Boulevard (on the West), Mulholland Drive (on the North), the 101 Freeway (on the East) and Hollywood Boulevard (on the South). By 20h21 PST, the fire had grown to 50 acres (20ha; 0.20km2).
Additional fires
At 5am, a fire started in a homeless tent city within the Santa Ana riverbed, and burnt down several makeshift residences and belongings, a recreational vehicle and several vehicles. The fire grew to one acre (0.40ha; 0.0040km2) before firefighters extinguished it, with no injuries reported.
Firefighters responded to a separate blaze in the Hollywood Hills vicinity of Los Angeles City near Sunset Boulevard. The brush fire was extinguished shortly after it ignited.
At 15h44 PST, a brush fire dubbed the Gulch Fire was reported to the north of Santa Clarita, close to Dry Gulch Mountainway and San Francisquito Canyon Road. The fire was held to one acre (0.40ha; 0.0040km2) in area.
At 17h28 PST, the King Fire was reported in Los Angeles near Ladera Heights, at oil derricks northeast of La Cienega Boulevard. A separate nearby fire was reported at 17h39 to the west of La Cienega Blvd. Both fires totalled an area of three acres (1.2ha; 0.012km2). The fires were contained to one acre (0.40ha; 0.0040km2) by 18h18.
At 21h06 PST, the 1.5 acres (0.61ha; 0.0061km2) Bert Fire was reported in Pasadena, which grew to three acres (1.2ha; 0.012km2) by 21h6. Its blown embers produced spot fires that threatened nearby structures in the neighbourhood.
On 8 January 2025 at 03h03am PST, the Tyler Fire was reported in Coachella, Riverside County. The fire spread to 15 acres (6.1ha; 00.061km2) and destroyed two structures before its forward progress was held by firefighters.
At roughly 06h15am PST, the Woodley Fire ignited and burned 75 acres (30ha; 0.30km2) near the Sepulveda Basin. It was revised to 30 acres (12ha; 0.12 km2).
The Olivas Fire was reported at 10h44am PST spreading along the coast of Ventura, Ventura County. The fire grew to 11 acres (4.5ha; 0.045km2), with one injury reported.
The Lidia Fire was reported at around 13h10 PST. The fire grew to 50 acres (20ha; 0.20km2) acres within an hour; by 20h06 it had grown to 348 acres (141ha; 1.41km2). Evacuation orders were issued for some areas near Acton. Metrolink halted service in the area.
The Sunswept Fire was reported by LAFD at 20h52 in on the 3000 block of North Sunswept in Studio City, Los Angeles. The fire impacted a four storey home but was extinguished by firefighters without spreading significantly further.
Impact
As of 9 January 2025, five deaths were attributed to the Eaton Fire, and more than 100 structures were reported destroyed. Several burn injuries were reported, and a 25-year-old firefighter suffered a "serious head injury". About 21h00 PST, many burn victims walked towards Duke's Malibu restaurant, where they were medically treated and transferred to hospitals.
Structural damage
Wildfire Alliance statistics indicated that the Palisades fire alone was by far the most destructive in the Los Angeles region, with at least 1 000 structures destroyed, surpassing the Sayre Fire, which destroyed 604 structures in 2008 and the Bel Air Fire, which destroyed nearly 500 houses in 1961.
Update on 9 January 2025 from CAL FIRE
More than 7 500 personnel, including firefighters, law enforcement and other emergency support personnel, are on the ground working with local and federal partners to respond to ongoing historic wildfires in Southern California. Yesterday, firefighters also responded to 37 new wildfires across the state. In the first nine days of the year, there have been 29 053 acres burned, from 92 fires.
CAL FIRE has activated two Incident Management Teams to manage the Palisades and Eaton Fires. A third team has been pre-positioned to Southern California in response to the increased fire threat.
Validated damage inspection is underway, but initial assessments estimate that thousands of structures have been destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires.
A large contingent of water tenders are being used to provide water to ensure firefighters have adequate water supply for firefighting. Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that California is mobilizing up to 140 2,500-gallon water tenders to assist in fighting the Eaton and Palisades fires.
California continues to receive support and resources from nearby states including Oregon, Washington, Utah and Nevada.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect through 18h00, Friday, 10 January 2025, for moderate to strong north to northeast winds and low relative humidity for the central and southeastern Ventura County valleys, the valleys of Los Angeles County including Calabasas and Agoura hills, the Ventura and Los Angeles County mountains including the Santa Monica range and the Santa Susana Mountains, the Interstate 5 corridor and the Malibu coast. The Red Flag Warning is also in effect for the inland valleys, foothills, and mountains in San Diego and Riverside counties.
With the Red Flag Warning in effect, CAL FIRE is urging all Californians to take extreme caution to prevent sparking a wildfire. With gusty winds, coupled with warm and dry conditions, fire danger will be elevated. The public is asked to take steps to prevent sparking a wildfire.
Unified Command Fires
Palisade Fire, Los Angeles County
Pacific Palisades and Topanga
*17 234 acres, 0% contained
*Over 1 000 structures
*Damage assessment is ongoing
*Evacuation orders and warnings in place for multiple communities
*350 engines, 49 crews, 88 dozers, 29 helicopters, 53 water tenders, 836 personnel
*Unified Command CAL FIRE, LA County Fire Department, LA City Fire Department, LA Police Department
*CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 2
Situation summary: Extreme fire behaviour, including short and long-range spotting, continues to challenge firefighting efforts for the Palisades Fire. Winds gusts up to 60mph are expected to continue through Thursday, potentially hindering fire suppression efforts.
Eaton Fire, Los Angeles County
North Pasadena and Altadena
*10 600 acres, 0% contained
*Approximately 1 000 structures destroyed
*Damage assessment is ongoing
*Evacuation orders and warnings in place for multiple communities
*306 engines, 27 crews, 4 dozers, 11 helicopters, 73 water tenders, 702 personnel
*Unified Command CAL FIRE, USFS, LA County Fire Department, Pasadena Fire
*CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 3
Situation summary: Firefighters are working aggressively to slow the spread and protect critical infrastructure under extreme conditions and significant growth has been stopped. Residents in evacuated areas are urged not to drink tap water. Use only bottled water. Failure to do so may result in illness.
Hurst Fire, Los Angeles County
Stetson Ranch Park
*671 acres, 10% contained
*Damage assessment is ongoing
*Evacuation orders and warnings in place for multiple communities
*62 engines, 13 crews, 9 dozers, 5 water tenders, 300 personnel
*Unified Command CAL FIRE, USFS, LA County Fire Department, LA City Fire Department, LA County Sheriff
Situation Summary: Firefighters have successfully contained the fire north of the I-210 Foothill Freeway, establishing control lines extending to Santa Clara Divide Road. Crews managed several flare-ups within the fire's perimeter. Efforts for the early morning hours of 1/9 will focus on reinforcing control lines and strategically using dozer lines to limit the fire's spread.
Federal fires
Lidia Fire, Los Angeles County (more info…)
Soledad Canyon
*348 acres, 40% contained
*There are no evacuation orders currently in place
*14 engines, 1 dozer, 2 water tenders
* USFS Angeles National Forest
Situation Summary: Forward progress has been stopped on this brush fire. Firefighters are working hard to gain additional containment.
Local fires
Sunset, Los Angeles County (more info…)
Runyon Canyon
*43 acres, 0% contained
*Damage assessment is ongoing
*All evacuation orders lifted
*25 engines
* LA City Fire Department
Situation Summary: The majority of the Evacuation Zone for the Sunset Fire is lifted except for the area North of Franklin Ave from Camino Palmero St (East border) to North Sierra Bonita Ave. (West border).
Sources: CAL FIRE and various news agencies
On 6 January 2025, California governor Gavin Newsom stated he would delegate 65 fire engines, seven helicopters, seven water tenders, and 109 workers towards combating any wildfires that arose. Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass issued warnings to residents to avoid wind-downed power lines and emphasised the risk of the windstorm becoming one of the most significant in over a decade. In advance of potential wildfires, all 114 tanks making up Los Angeles' water infrastructure were filled.
As of 9 January 2025, there are five fires burning throughout the city. The extreme intensity of the windstorm coupled with dry vegetation due to prolonged drought conditions caused fires to spread rapidly and caused embers to fly and set spot fires far away.
Palisades Fire
A significant wildfire, dubbed the Palisades Fire, ignited near the Pacific Palisades neighbourhood in Los Angeles, rapidly expanding to encompass 5 000 acres (2 000ha; 20km2). This fire necessitated mandatory evacuations along sections of the Pacific Coast Highway and surrounding areas, with the Westwood Recreation Centre serving as an emergency shelter. During midday, the fire was reportedly expanding at a rate equal to "three football fields of land per minute", with firefighters attempting to work despite strong winds. Immediate evacuation orders were issued for residents of Santa Monica living north of San Vicente Boulevard. At 12h11pm PST on8 January 2025, the City of Malibu urged all residents that had not left already to prepare to evacuate due to the fire being uncontained. Evacuation orders were given for the LA neighbourhood of Brentwood. As of 13h23pm PST on 8 January 2025, the fire has burned 15 832 acres (6 407ha; 264.07 km2)
Eaton Fire
Shortly after 7 January 2025 at 18h15 PST, a brush fire in Eaton Canyon in the Altadena-Pasadena region, dubbed the Eaton Fire, was first reported with an area of 20 acres (8. ha; 0.081 km2). By 19h12, the fire had grown to at least 200 acres (81 ha; 0.81 km2) in size, with Los Angeles County Fire Captain Sheila Kelliher remarking that the fire would grow rapidly due to the ongoing windstorm. Within six hours, the Eaton Fire had grown to 1 000 acres (400ha; 4.0 km2) in size. The Terraces at Park Marino evacuated 95 senior citizens, with images showing many in wheelchairs and wearing only gowns. Evacuations were later expanded in Pasadena and in northern Sierra Madre and Arcadia. The AltaMed Medical Centre and several residences in Hastings Ranch were "engulfed in flames". By 8 January 2025 at 10h36 PST, the fire had jumped to 10 600 acres (4 300ha; 43 km2). At midday, the fire began to advance into residential zones of Pasadena. All of La Cañada Flintridge was ordered to evacuate. Five people have died in the fire.
Hurst Fire
At 22h10 PST on 7 January 2025, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported that a 50 acres (20ha; 0.20 km2) brushfire in northern Sylmar, dubbed the Hurst Fire, had a "rapid rate of spread" and instituted immediate evacuation orders for all areas north of the Foothill Freeway between Roxford Street and the Interstate 5–California State Route 14 split. At 01h47am on 8 January 2025, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported that the fire had grown to 500 acres (200ha; 2.0km2). By 21h40 PST that night, the Hurst Fire had grown to 855 acres (346ha; 3.46km2).
Sunset Fire
The Sunset Fire started in the Hollywood Hills near Runyon Canyon Park on 8 January 2025 at 17h39 PST. This fire resulted in officials issuing an evacuation order for the Hollywood Hills area, which included tens of thousands of people. The area included in the evacuation order was bordered by Laurel Canyon Boulevard (on the West), Mulholland Drive (on the North), the 101 Freeway (on the East) and Hollywood Boulevard (on the South). By 20h21 PST, the fire had grown to 50 acres (20ha; 0.20km2).
Additional fires
At 5am, a fire started in a homeless tent city within the Santa Ana riverbed, and burnt down several makeshift residences and belongings, a recreational vehicle and several vehicles. The fire grew to one acre (0.40ha; 0.0040km2) before firefighters extinguished it, with no injuries reported.
Firefighters responded to a separate blaze in the Hollywood Hills vicinity of Los Angeles City near Sunset Boulevard. The brush fire was extinguished shortly after it ignited.
At 15h44 PST, a brush fire dubbed the Gulch Fire was reported to the north of Santa Clarita, close to Dry Gulch Mountainway and San Francisquito Canyon Road. The fire was held to one acre (0.40ha; 0.0040km2) in area.
At 17h28 PST, the King Fire was reported in Los Angeles near Ladera Heights, at oil derricks northeast of La Cienega Boulevard. A separate nearby fire was reported at 17h39 to the west of La Cienega Blvd. Both fires totalled an area of three acres (1.2ha; 0.012km2). The fires were contained to one acre (0.40ha; 0.0040km2) by 18h18.
At 21h06 PST, the 1.5 acres (0.61ha; 0.0061km2) Bert Fire was reported in Pasadena, which grew to three acres (1.2ha; 0.012km2) by 21h6. Its blown embers produced spot fires that threatened nearby structures in the neighbourhood.
On 8 January 2025 at 03h03am PST, the Tyler Fire was reported in Coachella, Riverside County. The fire spread to 15 acres (6.1ha; 00.061km2) and destroyed two structures before its forward progress was held by firefighters.
At roughly 06h15am PST, the Woodley Fire ignited and burned 75 acres (30ha; 0.30km2) near the Sepulveda Basin. It was revised to 30 acres (12ha; 0.12 km2).
The Olivas Fire was reported at 10h44am PST spreading along the coast of Ventura, Ventura County. The fire grew to 11 acres (4.5ha; 0.045km2), with one injury reported.
The Lidia Fire was reported at around 13h10 PST. The fire grew to 50 acres (20ha; 0.20km2) acres within an hour; by 20h06 it had grown to 348 acres (141ha; 1.41km2). Evacuation orders were issued for some areas near Acton. Metrolink halted service in the area.
The Sunswept Fire was reported by LAFD at 20h52 in on the 3000 block of North Sunswept in Studio City, Los Angeles. The fire impacted a four storey home but was extinguished by firefighters without spreading significantly further.
Impact
As of 9 January 2025, five deaths were attributed to the Eaton Fire, and more than 100 structures were reported destroyed. Several burn injuries were reported, and a 25-year-old firefighter suffered a "serious head injury". About 21h00 PST, many burn victims walked towards Duke's Malibu restaurant, where they were medically treated and transferred to hospitals.
Structural damage
Wildfire Alliance statistics indicated that the Palisades fire alone was by far the most destructive in the Los Angeles region, with at least 1 000 structures destroyed, surpassing the Sayre Fire, which destroyed 604 structures in 2008 and the Bel Air Fire, which destroyed nearly 500 houses in 1961.
Update on 9 January 2025 from CAL FIRE
More than 7 500 personnel, including firefighters, law enforcement and other emergency support personnel, are on the ground working with local and federal partners to respond to ongoing historic wildfires in Southern California. Yesterday, firefighters also responded to 37 new wildfires across the state. In the first nine days of the year, there have been 29 053 acres burned, from 92 fires.
CAL FIRE has activated two Incident Management Teams to manage the Palisades and Eaton Fires. A third team has been pre-positioned to Southern California in response to the increased fire threat.
Validated damage inspection is underway, but initial assessments estimate that thousands of structures have been destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires.
A large contingent of water tenders are being used to provide water to ensure firefighters have adequate water supply for firefighting. Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that California is mobilizing up to 140 2,500-gallon water tenders to assist in fighting the Eaton and Palisades fires.
California continues to receive support and resources from nearby states including Oregon, Washington, Utah and Nevada.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect through 18h00, Friday, 10 January 2025, for moderate to strong north to northeast winds and low relative humidity for the central and southeastern Ventura County valleys, the valleys of Los Angeles County including Calabasas and Agoura hills, the Ventura and Los Angeles County mountains including the Santa Monica range and the Santa Susana Mountains, the Interstate 5 corridor and the Malibu coast. The Red Flag Warning is also in effect for the inland valleys, foothills, and mountains in San Diego and Riverside counties.
With the Red Flag Warning in effect, CAL FIRE is urging all Californians to take extreme caution to prevent sparking a wildfire. With gusty winds, coupled with warm and dry conditions, fire danger will be elevated. The public is asked to take steps to prevent sparking a wildfire.
Unified Command Fires
Palisade Fire, Los Angeles County
Pacific Palisades and Topanga
*17 234 acres, 0% contained
*Over 1 000 structures
*Damage assessment is ongoing
*Evacuation orders and warnings in place for multiple communities
*350 engines, 49 crews, 88 dozers, 29 helicopters, 53 water tenders, 836 personnel
*Unified Command CAL FIRE, LA County Fire Department, LA City Fire Department, LA Police Department
*CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 2
Situation summary: Extreme fire behaviour, including short and long-range spotting, continues to challenge firefighting efforts for the Palisades Fire. Winds gusts up to 60mph are expected to continue through Thursday, potentially hindering fire suppression efforts.
Eaton Fire, Los Angeles County
North Pasadena and Altadena
*10 600 acres, 0% contained
*Approximately 1 000 structures destroyed
*Damage assessment is ongoing
*Evacuation orders and warnings in place for multiple communities
*306 engines, 27 crews, 4 dozers, 11 helicopters, 73 water tenders, 702 personnel
*Unified Command CAL FIRE, USFS, LA County Fire Department, Pasadena Fire
*CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 3
Situation summary: Firefighters are working aggressively to slow the spread and protect critical infrastructure under extreme conditions and significant growth has been stopped. Residents in evacuated areas are urged not to drink tap water. Use only bottled water. Failure to do so may result in illness.
Hurst Fire, Los Angeles County
Stetson Ranch Park
*671 acres, 10% contained
*Damage assessment is ongoing
*Evacuation orders and warnings in place for multiple communities
*62 engines, 13 crews, 9 dozers, 5 water tenders, 300 personnel
*Unified Command CAL FIRE, USFS, LA County Fire Department, LA City Fire Department, LA County Sheriff
Situation Summary: Firefighters have successfully contained the fire north of the I-210 Foothill Freeway, establishing control lines extending to Santa Clara Divide Road. Crews managed several flare-ups within the fire's perimeter. Efforts for the early morning hours of 1/9 will focus on reinforcing control lines and strategically using dozer lines to limit the fire's spread.
Federal fires
Lidia Fire, Los Angeles County (more info…)
Soledad Canyon
*348 acres, 40% contained
*There are no evacuation orders currently in place
*14 engines, 1 dozer, 2 water tenders
* USFS Angeles National Forest
Situation Summary: Forward progress has been stopped on this brush fire. Firefighters are working hard to gain additional containment.
Local fires
Sunset, Los Angeles County (more info…)
Runyon Canyon
*43 acres, 0% contained
*Damage assessment is ongoing
*All evacuation orders lifted
*25 engines
* LA City Fire Department
Situation Summary: The majority of the Evacuation Zone for the Sunset Fire is lifted except for the area North of Franklin Ave from Camino Palmero St (East border) to North Sierra Bonita Ave. (West border).
Sources: CAL FIRE and various news agencies
