LA fires latest: What to know about deadly wildfires as winds die down
LOS ANGELES - Firefighters continue to battle deadly wildfires in Los Angeles County on Friday, and a new fire that was sparked Thursday evening is being investigated as arson.
At least 11 people were killed in the fires, and thousands of homes and businesses have been destroyed. Nearly 180,000 residents were under evacuation orders Thursday night.
Fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds and extreme drought conditions, most of the towering fires that began Tuesday were still uncontained Thursday.
Los Angeles Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the current red flag warning will expire at 6 p.m. Pacific on Friday but a new warning is expected to be issued Monday, when windy conditions in the Los Angeles area are forecast to return.
Allegations of leadership failures and political blame have started and so have investigations. Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday ordered state officials to determine why a 117 million-gallon (440 million-liter) reservoir was out of service and some hydrants ran dry, calling it "deeply troubling." Meanwhile, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said city leadership failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting.
The fires have burned more than 10,000 homes and other structures since Tuesday, when they first began popping up around a densely populated, 25-mile (40-kilometer) expanse north of downtown Los Angeles. No cause has been identified yet for the largest fires.
Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department stand vigilant as they battle wildfires in Los Angeles while several blazes continue to tear through the region on Jan. 10, 2025. (Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Kenneth Fire arrest
The Kenneth Fire, which sparked around 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the West Hills/Hidden Hills area, may have been started by a person, LAPD said Thursday. A person of interest has been detained.
In Woodland Hills, residents say a man was riding around on a bicycle carrying a large blow torch, trying to set multiple old Christmas trees and garbage cans on fire. When the man rode away, neighbors followed him, and eventually stepped in.
One neighbor said that a group went up and grabbed the man, even zip-tying him at one point.
Firefighting plane grounded
Additionally, a drone collided with a Super Scooper at an unknown time on Thursday, officials said during a news conference on Friday. A drone hit the wing of a CL 415 Super Scooper aircraft which Los Angeles has on contract from Canada.
Maintenance staff at the Van Nuys Airport discovered a fist-sized hole in the leading edge of the wing. The aircraft, which has been helping with air drops during the fires, will be out of commission until Monday, officials estimated, as crews work to repair it. The aircraft was one of two that have been assisting with firefighting.
It is illegal to fly drones in the fire traffic areas, officials said on Friday. Federal partners are working to locate and identify the operators of any drones that are flying illegally in the wildfire zones.
"The most important thing to know is that if you fly a drone at one of these brush fires, all aerial operations will be shutdown. And we certainly don't want to have that happen," officials said.
Curfew issued
Officials implemented a curfew for the Palisades and Eaton Fire areas, and this includes all mandatory evacuation zones.
The curfew, which began last night and ended at 6 a.m. PT on Friday morning, will be put into effect once again at 6 p.m. PT on Friday evening.
Palisades Fire
Acres burned: 21,317
At least five people were killed in the massive Palisades Fire, which started Tuesday and was still burning Thursday night with only 6% containment. Firefighters say 30,000 people are under mandatory evacuation orders.
Eaton Fire
Acres burned: 14,117
The Eaton Fire in the Angeles National Forest and LA's San Gabriel Valley, including the communities of Altadena and La Cañada Flintridge, has killed at least six people.
In an update Thursday afternoon, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said the fire is estimated at 14,117 acres with 3% containment. Investigators believe at least 4,000 to 5,000 structures including homes, commercial structures, or other smaller buildings, are either damaged or destroyed.
Multiple injuries have been reported, including a firefighter who suffered a "significant injury from a fall" Thursday morning, Marrone said
Kenneth Fire
Acres burned: 1,000
The Kenneth Fire started around 2:30 p.m. Thursday in the West Hills/Hidden Hills area and is being investigated as arson. A person of interest has been detained.
Evacuation orders and warnings were lifted around 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Officials say the fire is now solely in Ventura County.
For more detailed information about evacuation warnings and orders for the Kenneth Fire, click here.
Hurst Fire
Acres burned: 771
The Hurst Fire, which was first reported about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday in the 5900 block of Yarnell Street, was 70% contained.
All evacuation orders and warnings were lifted Friday afternoon.
Lidia Fire
Acres burned: 395
While the Lidia Fire is significantly smaller than the other larger fires burning across Los Angeles County, it has prompted evacuation warnings and orders across a large swath of zones.
The fire is about 75% contained.
The Source: This report includes information from the Associated Press, FOX LA and previous LiveNow from FOX reporting.