What to know about the Los Angeles fires and California winds
- Forecasters warned the Los Angeles area Wednesday that strong winds would lead to critical fire conditions. The National Weather Service said red-flag warnings for the Santa Ana winds would be in effect in the area through Thursday evening with gusts of up to 65 mph expected.
- A new fire, the Hughes Fire, put more than 50,000 people under evacuation orders and warnings in the northern Los Angeles County community of Castaic on Wednesday, authorities said. It has burned more than 9,400 acres in L.A. and Ventura counties.
- Fires across the L.A. area have killed at least 28 people, destroyed more than 15,000 structures and charred some 63 square miles. The Palisades and Eaton wildfires continue to burn today.
- In San Diego County, south of Los Angeles, firefighters have battled several smaller blazes that broke out this week.
- Officials said tens of thousands of people in Los Angeles County remain under evacuation orders. Curfews were still in effect for the Palisades and Eaton fire zones from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
I-5 Freeway reopens amid Hughes Fire
The Interstate 5 Freeway through the Grapevine in north Los Angeles County fully reopened Wednesday evening, several hours after the fast-growing Hughes Fire forced the major thoroughfare to close in both directions.
California Highway Patrol reopened the freeway after smoke was no longer causing visibility concerns on the roadway, officials said.
The 5 Freeway through the Grapevine is a major artery connecting southern and central California. It runs from the U.S.-Mexico border all the way north through Oregon and Washington state to the Canadian border.
Southern California needs rain, but it could lead to more hazards in burn areas
As some evacuated Los Angeles County residents are able to return home, or return to what is left of their homes, potential rain could create dangerous landslides and runoff, officials said.
Forecasters are predicting rain in parts of L.A. which could lead to disastrous mudslides and debris runoff into oceans, beaches and other waterways. L.A. County Public Works warned that fire debris can contain toxins like lead, asbestos, mercury and other chemicals.
Crews are working to remove as much debris as possible from burn scars caused by the Eaton and Palisades fires ahead of the rain, CBS News Los Angeles reported.
Due to potential hazards, the Los Angeles County health officer issued a local health emergency order prohibiting residents from removing fire debris from damaged and burned properties in critical fire areas until a hazardous materials inspection has been conducted by an approved government agency.
Officials warn “we are not out of the woods” as Hughes Fire spreads
The Hughes Fire is proving to be a challenge for firefighters, but they’re “getting the upper hand,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a news conference.
Cal Fire Chief Joe Tyler warned that dangerous conditions are far from over.
“The first responders are doing great work to contain this fire. Certainly, we are not out of the woods yet,” Tyler said.
Over 31,000 people are now under mandatory evacuation orders and 23,000 more under evacuation warnings, according to L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna.
President Trump to visit California to survey wildfire damage
President Trump is set to visit communities hit by wildfires in Southern California on Friday. The president has repeatedly criticized local and state officials’ response to the situation.
Wildfire monitoring camera captures the start of Hughes Fire
A camera monitoring the wildfires burning across Southern California captured the moments the rapidly growing Hughes Fire began.
Video posted by ALERTCalifornia, a public safety program based at University of California San Diego, shows a large, gray smoke cloud rising from the hills near the Angeles National Forest earlier today before quickly blowing southwest. The images were captured on its Whitaker Ridge camera, ALERTCalifornia said on X.
In recent years, the network of cameras has been installed in high-fire-risk areas up and down California, CBS News Sacramento previously reported.
More than 1,144 live cameras and sensor arrays are part of ALERTCalifornia helping guide emergency officials and firefighting efforts.
When will it rain in Southern California?
Dry conditions remain in the Los Angeles area causing critical fire danger, but a chance of rain is in the forecast over the weekend.
Satellite imagery shows a high-pressure system lingering over the West Coast, but a low-pressure system can also be seen trying to make its way down, the National Weather Service said.
By Friday night, a storm from northern Canada will work its way down the West Coast and bring the chance of rain. Los Angeles could get a quarter-inch of rain, while the Inland Empire could see four-tenths of an inch, CBS News Los Angeles meteorologist Paul Deanno said.
“It isn’t a guarantee for rain, but it is the best widespread rain chance we have had since November,” Deanno said.
Thousands evacuate Hughes Fire area, including hundreds of inmates, L.A. sheriff says
Approximately 19,000 people in Castaic are under evacuation orders triggered by the Hughes Fire, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna.
L.A. officials are also working to evacuate Pitchess Detention Center, which is just a few miles away from the fire, the sheriff said. Two other detention facilities nearby have been ordered to shelter in place.
There are over 4,500 inmates across the facilities, Luna said, and 476 people have been evacuated.
The number of evacuees is expected to increase as the Hughes Fire continue to spread in the northwestern part of the county, the sheriff said.
Maps show where L.A. fires are burning, new evacuation orders
The Hughes Fire grew to more than 8,000 acres with 0% containment as of 4 p.m. PST, Cal Fire said.
Here are the maps showing the areas where wildfires are burning around the Los Angeles area, and where evacuation orders are in place:
Images show Hughes Fire turning sunny L.A. into night sky
The Hughes Fire burning at the northwest edge of Los Angeles County is rapidly spreading and threatening homes in the quiet unincorporated community of Castaic.
Despite massive plumes of smoke and “raining ashes” turning the sunny sky into nighttime, one resident told CBS Los Angeles that he’s not going to evacuate just yet.
“Right now, it’s still not that close that I need to leave right away,” he said. “I still feel safe. A little nervous because it’s too close.”
In addition to air operations, firefighters are using nearby Castaic Lake to help tame the flames.
Los Angeles city firefighters are also using nearby Six Flags Magic Mountain as a base of operations while responding to the latest fire.
Hughes Fire, near Six Flags Magic Mountain, rapidly expands to more than 5,000 acres
The Hughes Fire that sparked Wednesday near Castaic Lake and Six Flags Magic Mountain in Los Angeles County has rapidly expanded to thousands of acres.
“It does have a high potential for spread because we are looking at 32 mph winds as we speak,” L.A. County Fire Department Captain Sheila Kelliher Berkoh said.
A red-flag warning triggered by the strong wind conditions is in effect until 8 p.m. PST Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
Hughes Fire in L.A. County becomes latest to force evacuations
Mandatory evacuation orders and warnings were issued Wednesday for a wildfire that has burned at least 50 acres in Los Angeles County, authorities said.
The blaze has been dubbed the Hughes Fire and is located near Angeles National Forest in Castaic. Forecasters have a red-flag warning in effect for that area of the county, within the Santa Clarita Valley, as well as some other parts of L.A. and Ventura counties, due to extremely low humidity and Santa Ana winds increasing the risks of wildfires.
Aerial footage showed some flames and a huge plume of smoke rising from an area about 16 miles from a collection of buildings.
Brushfires burning in northern San Diego County
Firefighters are working to contain several brush fires that broke out in northern San Diego County early Tuesday.
Cal Fire said the Pala Fire and Pala Fire 2 had gobbled up some 47 acres in all and were zero percent contained, though the North County Fire Protection District later said in a post on X that the “forward rate of speed” of one had been stopped. Evacuation orders that had been issued were lifted, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office.
Two other blazes, dubbed the Lilac Fire1 and Lilac Fire 2 by Cal Fire, in the Bonsall area, had charred 130 acres.
Evacuation orders and warnings were posted.
Los Angeles officials say crews are prepared for dangerous fire weather overnight
Los Angeles city officials said in a statement that first responders remain prepared for dangerous fire conditions after the National Weather Service declared another “Particularly Dangerous Situation” warning, in effect until 10 a.m. local time Tuesday.
“The LA Fire Department has pre-deployed resources throughout the city to support full and proactive emergency response,” the statement said.
It also said the LA Zoo and some parks, including Griffith Park and Runyon Canyon, will remain closed on Tuesday. A small grass fire in Griffith Park was extinguished earlier Monday.
Zelenskyy offers firefighting help from Ukraine for Los Angeles-area wildfires
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy offered support to local firefighters and first responders in Los Angeles.
“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,” Zelenskyy said in a message on X. “The situation there is extremely difficult, and Ukrainians can help Americans save lives. This is currently being coordinated, and we have offered our assistance to the American side through the relevant channels. 150 of our firefighters are already prepared.”
Nearly 1,500 members of the California National Guard have already been deployed to Los Angeles to assist local law enforcement.
“Ukraine’s offer of support to California during these devastating wildfires is nothing short of extraordinary,” the California National Guard posted in response.
Dust and ash alert issued in Southern California amid windy conditions
All of Los Angeles County is under a dust and ash alert as strong Santa Ana winds blow through the Eaton and Palisades burn scars.
The air quality advisory is expected to last through 10 p.m. local time Tuesday, CBS Los Angeles reported. The alert from the South Coast Air Quality Management District also affected counties northeast of L.A.
Windblown ash is typically too large to be detected by the instruments used to determine the air quality index, or AQI, officials said. They do not influence the current “good to moderate” rating.
“In short, although the AQI may show green, it is best to reduce exposure as the forecasted high wind events can carry ash throughout the region from the active Palisades and Eaton wildfires as well as Hurst, Kenneth, Line, Airport, and Bridge fire burn scars,” the agency said.
Kamala Harris returns to Los Angeles County
Following President Trump’s inauguration on Monday, former Vice President Kamala Harris returned to Los Angeles County, making a stop to help distribute food and thank fire crews in Altadena.
Harris and her husband Doug Emhoff have a home in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles that will serve as their primary residence. The neighborhood is not far from the wildfires.
Gov. Newsom signs executive order to speed Palisades, Eaton fire debris removal
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Monday to expedite debris removal from recent fire areas, bolster flood defenses and stabilize hillsides ahead of anticipated rainfall.
Burn scars in areas of the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire are of top concern, as the risk for mudslides, landslides, flash floods and debris flow is high in fire zones. The National Weather Service says there is a developing chance of rain this weekend.
Cal Fire reported Monday morning that over 10,000 structures were destroyed or damaged during the Eaton Fire, and in the Palisades Fire 6,051 structures were destroyed and 788 structures were damaged. Fire crews are still working to increase containment on both fires.
Photos show Eaton Fire’s devastation in Altadena
Photos taken Monday show how destructive the Eaton Fire has been in the Altadena community of Los Angeles County.
One photo shows two destroyed homes in front of a group of trees.
Another photo shows a razed area near mountains and foothills.
A third image shows part of a neighborhood completely devastated by the fire.
A fourth shows a burned-out vehicle in a hard-hit area covered with ash.
Firefighters quickly knock down vegetation fire in L.A.’s Griffith Park
Firefighters quickly knocked down a half-acre grass fire in L.A.’s Griffith Park.
Aerial footage showed crews on the ground and firefighting aircraft quickly getting the blaze under control.
More evacuation orders and warnings relaxed in fire zones
Authorities in the L.A. area relaxed more evacuation orders and warnings Monday for the Palisades and Eaton fires.
The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department posted the changes online for Altadena, which was devastated by the Eaton Fire. In some areas, evacuation warnings were lifted. Other areas had evacuation orders changed to evacuation warnings, and more areas had evacuation orders changed to “soft closures,” which means the area is open to authorities and residents with ID but closed to the general public.
Fire officials also said some residents in the Palisades fire zone could now access the area identified as TOP-U007-A on an online map.
Power shut off for thousands over heightened wildfire risk
An L.A. area utility said thousands of homes and businesses had their power shut off for the dangerous wind conditions expected Monday.
As of late Monday morning local time, Southern California Edison said on its website that power was shut off for more than 5,800 customers because of the heightened wildfire risk. The utility said that’s less than 1% of its 5 million customers.
Most of the outages were in Los Angeles County and San Bernardino County, northeast of L.A.
Additional outages were being considered for over 247,000 other homes and businesses, which the utility said was just under 5% of its customers.
“If you receive a warning, please leave”
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell urged people to not wait for an evacuation order to leave their home.
“If you receive a warning, please leave,” McDonnell said during a news briefing Monday. “Do not wait for a mandatory evacuation order.”
The police chief encouraged people to prepare evacuation plans and pay attention to notifications about the expected strong winds that could spark and spread new fires.
“The difference could be life or death,” McDonnell said.
Fire chief says extreme winds expected to peak Monday night
Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said the extreme winds forecast for the area were expected to peak Monday night into Tuesday morning.
Gusts in the mountains could reach up to 100 mph, Crowley said.
Crowley warned that the combination of high winds, low humidity and dry vegetation could ignite additional fires.
Fire engines from local, regional and state agencies were deployed to high-risk parts of Los Angeles and the surrounding area to respond to new fires, Crowley said.
“I urge everyone to stay alert as the danger has not yet passed,” Crowley said.
L.A. mayor says area may be close to “turning the page” on fires
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Monday that firefighters were working to prevent flare-ups and officials were ramping up efforts to recover from the devastating fires.
“Angelenos, it is hopeful that we are about 48 hours away from turning the page on this particular emergency, but until then, we’re going to do everything we can to keep you safe,” Bass said during a news conference.
The mayor continued to urge people to follow evacuation orders.
She also said rebuilding areas will take time.
Fire conditions expected to be worse than last week
Monday’s conditions were expected to be worse than they were last week, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service said.
James White, the weather service’s incident meteorologist for the Eaton Fire, noted the “particularly dangerous situation” warning for Monday was the third one issued this month for the L.A. area. White said the weather service uses the term when conditions are “truly exceptional or dangerous.”
The other two warnings were for when the wildfires broke out Jan. 7 and last Monday.
“This event today is going to fall between those two,” White said. “It’s not going to be as long or as severe as Jan. 7, but there are strong indications that it will be stronger and more widespread than what happened on Jan. 13.”
“You should be prepared to leave immediately”
People in the Los Angeles area were warned Monday to be prepared if they suddenly need to evacuate from their homes.
“You should be prepared to leave immediately,” Daron Wyatt, a spokesperson for the agencies responding to the Eaton Fire, said during a news conference. “It’s not the time to start thinking about it, you need to be prepared.”
Wyatt urged people to sign up for emergency alerts, which they can do on a few Los Angeles County websites.
Palisades Fire is 59% contained
As of Monday morning, the Palisades Fire was 59% contained and had scorched 37 square miles, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.
The Eaton Fire was 87% contained and had burned over 14 square miles.
National Weather Service warns of extreme wind and fire danger
The National Weather Service issued another “particularly dangerous situation” warning starting Monday in Southern California.
“Take action now to prepare your home and loved ones for another round of EXTREME WIND and FIRE WEATHER,” the weather service said on social media.
Peak winds of at least 60 mph were expected in the mountains and hills and 50 mph winds were expected in the coasts and valleys.
2 Oregon residents arrested for impersonating firefighters in Palisades fire zone
Two people from Oregon were arrested for allegedly impersonating firefighters inside of the Palisades fire zone over the weekend, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
