Live
LIVE: 11 dead and 180,000 told to evacuate LA as wildfires' unprecedented destruction enters fourth day
9 January 2025, 09:52 | Updated: 11 January 2025, 01:02
At least 10 people are dead and nearly 180,000 people have been forced from their homes as fierce wildfires sweep through Los Angeles for a third day.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Fast-moving wildfires are tearing through parts of Los Angles, leading to at least 10 deaths, burning down hundreds of buildings, and forcing 180,000 people out of their homes.
Firefighters are still struggling to contain the two largest fires, officials said on Thursday as they urged more people to heed evacuation orders after a new blaze ignited and quickly grew.
The fast-moving Kenneth Fire started in the late afternoon in the San Fernando Valley near the West Hills neighbourhood and close to Ventura County.
Between the Eaton and Palisades fires, more than 10,000 structures have burned.
Fire officials said on Thursday that they do not yet know the cause of the fires but are actively investigating.
This is the end of our coverage
Thank you for listening and reading along.
That ends our coverage of the Wes Streeting phone-in on LBC.
Thank you for listening and reading along with the coverage.
Winds set to peak on Sunday
Santa Ana winds are set to hit later on Sunday, with gusts of up to 70mph expected.
There are growing concerns that the winds will cause the fires to spread even further.
They are forecast to ease slightly but will strengthen again on Monday and Tuesday.
Trump responds to wildfire latest
Writing on Truth Social, he said: "The fires are still raging in L.A.
"The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out.
"Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place.
"This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country.
"They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?"
Broken fire hydrant reports are 'false', LA water department says
In a statement, the department said claims the hydrants in Pacific Palisades were broken before the wildfires began are "misleading and false".
It "repaired every hydrant needing repairs as reported by LA Fire Department inspectors".
At least 35,000 still without power
Around 35,000 homes and businesses still have no electricity, according to Poweroutage.us.
California Governor Gavin Newsom thanks firefighters for efforts
Fire update
- Palisades Fire - 23,654 acres - 11% contained
- Eaton Fire - 14,117 acres - 15% contained
- Hurst Fire - 799 acres - 76% contained
- Kenneth Fire - 1,052 acres - 90% contained
- Lidia Fire - 395 acres - 100% contained
Evacuation order extended
Evacuation orders have been extended to Brentwood as the Palisades Fire continues to grow.
The area is home to the world famous J Paul Getty Museum.
Looters posing as firefighters
Police have made a number of arrests as looters continue to head into evacuated areas and steal from abandoned homes.
"We even made arrests of two individuals that were actually posing as firefighters coming in and out of houses," an LAPD spokesperson said.
Death toll rise to 16
The Los Angeles County medical examiner's office confirmed the death toll from the wildfires ravaging the area has risen to 16.
Five of the deaths were attributed to the Palisades Fire, and 11 resulted from the Eaton Fire, the coroner's office said in a statement on Saturday evening.
