HUNDREDS OF HOMES LOST AS FIRES CONTINUE TO BURN OUT OF CONTROL IN LOS ANGELES
By Miriam Raftery
Photo by Henri Migala: Palisades Fire in Los Angeles
January 9, 2025 (Los Angeles) – Over 179,000 people are under evacuation orders as massive fires continue to burn across Los Angeles County, with no containment as yet on the worst conflagrations. Fire officials’ estimates of homes lost range from several hundred to over 1,000, and at least five people have died.
The Palisades Fire has scorched over 1,700 acres, burning all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Videos posted online show massive destruction of homes along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Most of Pacific Palisades has been destroyed, with evacuations as far away as Santa Monica. It remains 0% contained. Low water pressure left some hydrants without water and high winds have restricted firefighting aircraft, leaving the blaze to burn out of control in its crucial early hours, the Los Angeles Times reported.
The Eaton Fire has charred over 10,000 acres in Pasadena and Altadena. It is 0% contained; this is the fire in which five people are confirmed dead, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The Sunset Fire in Hollywood Hills also forced evacuations. It has burned 42.8 acres and is 0% contained, per the Watch Duty App.
In Sylmar, the Hursts Fire has burned 855 acres and is 10% contained.
The Lidia Fire in Soledad Canyon is reportedly 40% contained, with forward progress stopped.
Only the Woodley Fire, which started in an L.A. nature preserve, has been 100% contained.
The wildfires have been fueled by in some cases hurricane-force winds amid the driest conditions in more than a century for this time of year. The winds are forecast to continue, making firefighters’ work challenging. “We are absolutely not out of danger yet,” Los Angeles FireDept. Chief Kristinj Crowley stated today.
Firefighting reinforcements have come in from numerous areas, including San Diego County. The Governor has declared a statewide emergency and President Joe Biden has pledge reimbursement for firefighting expenses, though President-Elect Donald Trump has threatened to withhold firefighting aid for California.
How you can help
GoFundMe has launched the California Wildfire Relief Hub to help those affected by wildfires in Los Angeles County and potentially other California communities if future fires occur. Each fundraiser in the hub has been verified by GoFundMe’s trust and safety team