California Fires Updates: Sunday, Jan. 19
LOS ANGELES - Firefighters are looking to make as much progress against the Palisades and Eaton fires as possible over the weekend, before severe winds are expected to come back to Los Angeles and Ventura counties early next week.
On Saturday, state officials surveyed the destruction of the Palisades Fire. Now, Southern California looks toward recovering from the fires. President Joe Biden has vowed that the federal government would cover 100% of the costs associated with LA's wildfire disaster response. Some Republicans, however, have suggested that any federal aid going to California should come with conditions. On Saturday, Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Ted Lieu both said they would work to ensure that no such conditions were included.
Crews also continue to investigate the cause of the Palisades and Eaton fires, as well as other fires that erupted in Southern California over the last few weeks, like the Sunset Fire, the Hurst Fire, the Auto Fire and the Lidia Fire.
SUGGESTED: LA Weather timeline: Santa Ana winds to return next week
Follow along below for live updates.
‘Particularly dangerous situation’ warning issued
6:03 p.m. PT: The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a Windblown Dust and Ash Advisory through 10 p.m. Tuesday, with strong Santa Ana winds expected to affect the region. Officials advised residents to stay indoors, and to wear protective masks and eye-wear upon stepping out.
A near-complete loss of income
5:50 p.m. PT: FOX 11 News helped one woman connect with the right people after she lost her entire home and business in Altadena.
For a complete list of resources, tap or click here.
Trump in LA
5:45 p.m. PT: President-elect Donald Trump will be in Los Angeles on Friday to survey damage from the deadly wildfires first-hand. It will likely be his first trip outside of Washington as the 47th President, FOX 11's Elex Michaelson reports.
Lost pets
5:35 p.m. PT: As the deadly wildfires spread through parts of Los Angeles, hundreds of pets were displaced from their homes or went missing. Many of them remain trapped under the rubble.
If you need help finding your pet, you can call 213-270-8155 for further information.
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‘It's just… gone'
5:29 p.m. PT: One Altadena family shared with FOX 11 they had lived in their home for 57 years until it burned to the ground in the Eaton Fire.
Curfew remains
4:45 p.m. PT: A curfew continues to be in effect nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the mandatory evacuation areas in the Palisades and Eaton fire zones. Only firefighters, utility workers and law enforcement personnel are allowed in those areas.
‘It’s tough to feel safe'
4:25 p.m. PT: Tennis Hall of Famer Pam Shriver told FOX 11's Matthew Seedorff she no longer feels safe living in Los Angeles after some of her irreplaceable Grand Slam trophies were stolen, along with her son's car, when they evacuated due to the Palisades Fire.
Sunday afternoon press briefing
3:41 p.m. PT: Officials announce new details about the Palisades Fire.
Apply for assistance
3:16 p.m. PT: The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance is March 10.
SUGGESTED: California fire aid: List of FEMA, Red Cross and other resources
Firefighter impersonators arrested
3:12 p.m. PT: Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies arrested two suspects from Oregon on Saturday for impersonating firefighters and entering an evacuation zone, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
Authorities said the pair claimed to be from the Roaring River Fire Department in Oregon, which deputies found was not a legitimate agency. Dustin Nehl, 31, and 44-year-old Jennifer Nehl were found wearing Cal Fire T-shirts under turnout gear, helmet and radios in a fire truck purchased at an auction, sheriff's officials said.
Red Flag Warning issued
3:06 p.m. PT: A "particularly dangerous situation (PDS) Red Flag Warning is in effect noon Monday until 10 a.m. Tuesday due to anticipated Santa Ana winds and very low humidity, according to the National Weather Service.
SUGGESTED: California braces for severe fire weather as Santa Ana winds return
More residents return
3:04 p.m. PT: Around 32,000+ residents have repopulated areas previously under evacuation orders/warnings in the Palisades Fire area, Cal Fire announced during a press conference Sunday.
FEMA centers open on MLK Day
2:06 p.m. PT: FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) serving those impacted by the LA County wildfires will remain open on Monday, Jan. 20, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The centers will observe regular hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
- UCLA Research Park West10850 West Pico Blvd.Los Angeles, CA 90064
- Pasadena City College Community Education Center3035 East Foothill Blvd.Pasadena, CA 91107
Repopulation guidelines
1:33 p.m. PT:
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Sunday afternoon announced the repopulation of the following communities impacted by the Eaton Fire:
Evacuation Orders have been lifted for the following areas:
Located inside the unincorporated county area of the Altadena Community:
- South of West Woodbury Road, East of Lincoln Avenue, North of Laun Street, West of North Fair Oaks Avenue
- South of East Woodbury Road, East of North Fair Oaks Avenue, North of East Montana Street
- South of East New York Drive, East of North Lake Avenue, North of East Woodbury Road, West of North Hill Avenue
Evacuation Warnings have been lifted for the following areas:
Located inside the unincorporated county area of the Altadena Community:
- South of East Mendocino Street, East of North Lake Avenue, North of East New York Drive, West of North Allen Avenue
Evacuation Order downgraded to Evacuation Warning for the following area:
Located inside the unincorporated county area of the Altadena Community:
- South of West Harriet Street, East of North Lincoln Avenue, North of West Woodbury Road, West of North Fair Oaks Avenue.
- South of East Harriet Street and East Mendocino Street, East of North Fair Oaks Avenue, North of East Woodbury Road, West of North Lake Avenue
Evacuation Order with "soft closures" for the following areas:
Located inside the unincorporated county area of the Altadena Community:
- East of North Fair Oaks Avenue, North of East Harriet Street and East Mendocino Street, West of North Lake Avenue South of East Altadena Drive
- East of Sunny Oaks Circle, North of East Altadena Drive, West of Eaton Canyon (Open Space), South of Rubio Canyon
- East of North Lake Avenue, North of East Mendocino Street, West of North Allen Avenue, South of East Altadena Drive
- East of East Lincoln Avenue, North of West Harriet Street, West of North Fair Oaks Avenue, South of West Altadena Drive
Entry and Exit Points are located at the following intersections:
- North Fair Oaks Avenue and Harriet Street
- North Lake Avenue and East Mendocino Street
- North Allen Avenue and Mendocino Street
- East Altadena Drive and Mendocino Lane (EXPECT DELAYS)
- Lincoln Avenue and West Mariposa Street (EXPECT DELAYS)
The following intersections are used for exiting only:
- North Santa Anita Avenue and East Mendocino Street
- North Holliston Avenue and East Mendocino Street
Eaton Fire evacuations
12:55 p.m. PT: Several evacuation orders were lifted for Altadena communities impacted by the Eaton Fire. You can see a full list of updated evacuation statuses here.
Click here for safety guidelines for returning to the area.
Is it safe to return home?
12:26 p.m. PT:
Palisades Fire containment
11:58 a.m. PT: Containment of the deadly Palisades Fire has grown to 52%, up overnight from 49%, according to Cal Fire's latest update Sunday at noon.
Eaton Fire containment
11:30 a.m. PT: Containment of the Eaton Fire has grown to 81% Sunday, up overnight from 73%, according to the latest update from Cal Fire. Crews are rushing to extinguish any hot spots before Santa Ana winds return to the region Monday.
RELATED: California braces for severe fire weather as Santa Ana winds return
Fire weather concerns
11:01 a.m. PT: The National Weather Service said it expects to issue another "Particularly Dangerous Situation" warning ahead of the upcoming Santa Ana wind event and extreme fire weather expected Monday and Tuesday.
‘Get the f--k off the mountain!’
10:30 a.m. PT: A couple watched helplessly as their home was destroyed in the Palisades Fire.
Residents return home
10:06 PT: Nearly two weeks after the Palisades Fire, some residents who evacuated are returning home.
Palisades Fire containment grows
9:33 a.m. PT: Containment of the deadly Palisades Fire has grown to 52%, up overnight from 49%, and ahead of another Santa Ana wind event, which is expected to move into the region Monday with gusts of up to 60 mph.
The Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire was first reported on Tuesday, Jan. 7 near Altadena and Midwick drives. Some residents did not survive the flames and at least 7,000 structures were destroyed.
Authorities have implemented a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for all areas that remain under mandatory evacuation orders in the Altadena area. This comes after more than 30 looting arrests were made by the LA County Sheriff's Department.
The cause of the fire is under investigation, but they were fueled by extreme drought conditions, combined with the supersized Santa Ana winds that whipped flames and embers at 100 mph – much faster than usual.
A lawsuit filed Monday claims Southern California Edison equipment sparked the Eaton Fire. The lawsuit alleges that Southern California Edison failed to comply with essential electrical and fire safety standards, including failing to maintain power lines and overgrown vegetation.
The Palisades Fire
The Palisades Fire broke out on the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 7 as parts of Southern California were hit by powerful Santa Ana winds – the strongest to hit the area in over a decade, officials said. The piercing winds not only intensified the spread of the fire, it also prevented helicopters and planes from dumping water or fire retardant onto the burning scene as it was too dangerous to fly during the first day of the massive fire.
The fire extended well over 23,000 acres in seven days, destroying homes and businesses across the Pacific Palisades and Malibu. The fire also forced evacuations across parts of LA County, including Bel-Air, Brentwood and Santa
Monica. The fire also destroyed the Pacific Palisades Charter High School and other schools in the fire's path.
What caused the Palisades Fire?
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, a popular hiking destination, Skull Rock – an area north of Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades – is at the center of an investigation "as a possible starting point for the Palisades fire." Meanwhile, local authorities have announced multiple rounds of arrests taking place from the Palisades Fire scenes, but none of which are explicitly related to the cause of the fire. Over the weekend, there was an announcement of a man arrested for impersonating a firefighter. The alleged "fake firefighter" was accused of trying to break into one of the evacuated homes.
Other people have also been accused of arson across Southern California.
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