California wildfires live updates: evacuation zones in Los Angeles and affected areas | Latest news

List of emergency shelters in Los Angeles

Nearly 100,000 people have had to evacuate in the face of rapidly spreading fires in Southern California. All of Los Angeles County is at risk from the powerful flames that have already devastated nearly 30,000 acres.

Below is a list of the shelters that have been set up so far:

- Westwood Recreation Center: 1350 S. Sepulveda, Los Angeles
- Pasadena Civic Auditorium: 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Green St, Pasadena
- El Camino Real Charter High School: 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills
- Ritchie Valens Recreation Center: 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima
- Sepulveda Recreation Center: Address: 8825 Kester Avenue, Panorama City

Satellite image show scale of Palisades and Eaton Fires in Los Angeles

The Eaton Fire in Los Angeles, California has burned 10,600 acres and the Palisadses Fire over 17,200 acres according to Cal Fire. As seen from space the destruction is on a truly unimaginable scale.

Five fires in LA have burned over 29,000 acres

- Palisades Fire    17,234 arces    0%  contained
- Eaton Fire        10,600 arces    0%  contained
- Hurst Fire        855    arces        10% contained
- Lidia Fire        348    arces        40% contained
- Sunset Fire        43    arces        0%  contained

How to prepare for fire evacuation

As fires continue to ravage Southern California, Cal Fire has released a video outlining what to do if you receive an evacuation warning. The video provides guidance on essential items to include in your go bag, such as medications, food, water, and other necessities. Additionally, it offers tips on how to prepare your evacuation route. If you live in an area with multiple entry and exit points, it's important to familiarize yourself with all of them to ensure you know your options and can choose the safest route based on where the fire may start.

Mandy Moore evacuates her home

Actress Mandy Moore reported that she, along with her family and pets, evacuated her Altadena home "before it was too late" amid spreading fires in the area. 

“Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all so many have lost, including my family. My children’s school is gone. Our favorite restaurants, leveled. So many friends and loved ones have lost everything too. Our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together,” she said in her Instagram post.

“Sending love to all affected and on the front lines trying to get this under control,” she added.

White House approves disaster declaration in California 

The President’s action makes Federal funding available to affected individuals in Los Angeles County.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding also is available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Los Angeles County.

Trump message on California wildfires

The fires in Los Angeles may go down, in dollar amount, as the worst in the History of our Country. In many circles, they’re doubting whether insurance companies will even have enough money to pay for this catastrophe. Let this serve, and be emblematic, of the gross incompetence and mismanagement of the Biden/Newscum Duo. January 20th cannot come fast enough!

Singer Grimes evacuates on Wednesday evening

Grimes took to X to inform her followers that she had evacuated her home, planning to head to a friend's house, when she received a warning. "This is a serious tragedy for LA - I feel profoundly sad for everybody," said the singer. Many houses have been lost, and the full scale of the fires burning across the area has yet to be evaluated. 

UCLA cancels undergrad classes, curtails campus operations

UCLA will curtail campus operations, cancel undergraduate classes and move graduate courses to remote instruction for the next two days," UCLA informed Wednesday evening. "PreK-12 programs — Geffen Academy, UCLA Lab School and our Early Care and Education Programs — will be closed on both Thursday and Friday. UCLA Extension will move to remote instruction on these days."

The university said that for now, there is "no immediate fire danger to our campus." However, the wind paterns are expected to change which will likely cause the air quality to worsen in Westwood.

UCLA Health facilities will remain open and fully operational but staff should be on the lookout for further communications.

Evacuation Orders in Los Angeles

On the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) web portal you can check the current fires in California, as well as their respective evacuation orders.

- Here are the current evacuation orders and warnings for the Palisades Fire.

- Here are the current evacuation orders and warnings for the Eaton Fire.

- Here are the evacuation orders and warnings in effect for the Hurst Fire.

- Here are the evacuation orders and warnings in effect for the Lidia Fire.

- Here are the evacuation orders and warnings in effect for the Sunset Fire.

Will schools be closed in LA on Thursday?

Los Angeles public schools and offices will be closed on Thursday, January 9, due to encroaching fires that have worsened air quality to dangerous levels. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said in an announcement that the district will be accessing the situation to determine whether all schools in the unified district will be closed as well on Friday. 

Boil water notice issued for 90272 zip code

The intense water demand resulting from the Palisades Fire has led Los Angeles to issue a boil water warning. The only zipcode impacted is 90272, and nearby North of Vicente. City officials have warned that the fires are leading to ash integrating into the water system and that further warnings could be issued.  

What are the Santa Ana winds and when are they expected to end?

Santa Ana winds are dangerous winds that can reach hurricane speeds in Southern California. These winds, which form in the Great Basin, are most commonly felt in the fall but can occur year-round. Recently, these strong winds have contributed to a series of rapidly spreading fires in Los Angeles County, leading to the evacuation of thousands and the destruction of an estimated 1,000 structures (with the total damage still being assessed).

The winds are expected to remain intense through Friday, prompting firefighting agencies to work around the clock to combat the fires. They are utilizing aircraft whenever possible to help reduce the fire's intensity. However, last night, the winds hindered air support, which is believed to have exacerbated the situation.

New wildfire breaks out in LA's Hollywood Hills, fire chief claims

A new wildfire broke out in scrubland in Los Angeles' Hollywood Hills, LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley told a press conference late on Wednesday, adding to five other blazes raging in Los Angeles county.

Fires that started on Tuesday have killed at least five people, destroying hundreds of homes and stretching firefighting resources and water supplies to the limit, as more than 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate.

SpaceX to provide free Starlink terminals to LA

Elon Musk said on Thursday that his company SpaceX will provide free Starlink terminals to affected areas in Los Angeles in the morning.

More than 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate as dry, hurricane-force winds hindered firefighting operations and spread the fires, which have burned parched terrain almost unimpeded since they began on Tuesday.

California Fires

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NFL looking at Wild-Card backup plans as California wildfires continue to rage

Fires prompt Biden to cancel Italy trip

President Joe Biden canceled an upcoming trip to Italy due to the wildfires in California, the White House said on Wednesday, adding that he wanted to focus on directing the full federal response to the fires.

The White House announced in December that Biden would visit Italy for three days from 9 January to meet Pope Francis, Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

“After returning this evening from Los Angeles, where earlier today he had met with police, fire and emergency personnel fighting the historic fires raging in the area and approved a Major Disaster declaration for California, President Biden made the decision to cancel his upcoming trip to Italy to remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead,” the White House said in a statement.

Welcome to our live blog covering the Southern California wildfires which have been raging across the Los Angeles area for the past few days, fueled by Santa Ana winds and dry conditions creating the perfect storm for dangerous blazes. 

We will bring you the latest on evacuation orders and the status of the fires as they are fought as firefighters endeavour to control the focal points of the blazes.