Los Angeles officials are investigating the origin of the wildfires as multiple blazes remain uncontained
Los Angeles officials say multiple wildfires remain out of control across the city and urged residents to follow evacuation orders Thursday.
Mayor Karen Bass delivered the message along with police and fire chiefs at a news conference Thursday. Police said they had already arrested 20 people for robberies and burglaries in the evacuation areas, and more arrests were expected.
“This is an absolutely historic and unprecedented firestorm,” Bass said. “But we are all on deck. We must continue to work together. We must evacuate when we are asked to. We must help others, help our neighbors. And most of all, we must remain united.”
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone announced that the wildfires in Eaton and Palisades are 0% contained. The Eaton fire has spread to 10,600 acres and the Palisades has reached 17,234 acres.
PALISADA FIRE: HEIDI MONTAG, SPENCER PRATT LOSE HOME; CELEBRITIES ESCAPE THE RITZY NEIGHBORHOOD
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass speaks with California Gov. Gavin Newsom as he surveys damage during the Palisades wildfire Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, California. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images))
Another wildfire in Lidia is 40 percent contained, Marrone said. That fire was limited to only 348 hectares. Fire in Hollywood Hills and Sunset remains at large, but officials said they have successfully stopped its advance.
“The cause of the fire remains unknown and remains under active investigation,” Marrone said.
As of Thursday afternoon, approximately 180,000 people had been evacuated from their homes and another 200,000 were under an evacuation alert.
A Super Scooper aircraft drops water on the Palisades Fire Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, CA. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell also noted that he is “not satisfied” with the current reports of deaths from the firestorms. The current official death toll is five, and McDonnell says he expects that number to rise.
Bass also noted that aircraft may rejoin firefighting efforts on Thursday. High winds prevented planes and helicopters from flying over the fire on Wednesday.
A fire burns during the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles, California, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. The most destructive storm to hit the Los Angeles area in 14 years is fueling wildfires and sending thousands of residents fleeing for their lives, with dangerous downpours it is expected to last at least two more days. (Jill Connelly/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The mayor faced sharp questions from reporters after the briefing, with questions emphasizing that she was out of the country when the fires started.
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“Do you think your leadership was effective in responding to this disaster?” asked the reporter.
Bass claimed her focus was on saving lives, but said there would be time later to investigate how Los Angeles was prepared for the crisis.
