Grim NASA pictures show Los Angeles wildfires from space
An evacuation alert blasted to every single cell phone across Los Angeles has sent the city’s roughly 10 million residents into a frenzy.
The death toll has doubled as wildfires continue to rage across Los Angeles — claiming at least ten lives and forcing hundreds of thousands to flee.
Some 180,000 people have now been told to evacuate as at least five separate fires burn, including in the heart of historic Hollywood, just a few hundred metres from Hollywood Boulevard.
Part of the iconic Sunset Boulevard is in ruins after fire ripped through the Pacific Palisades.
Los Angeles city mayor Karen Bass stated a “perfect storm” of drought and winds combined to bring on the fires.
Nonetheless, LA officials have said they hope the “tide is turning” in the fight against the fires but the impact is the worst ever seen in the city and forecasters have predicted critical fire weather could last through until Friday night (local time).
Paris Hilton and Anna Faris are among celebrities that have lost homes.
New photos released by NASA have shown the smoke visible from space.
Meanwhile, around 20 people have been arrested for looting in what has been condemned as “shameful” actions.
Read on for the latest updates from the Los Angeles fires.
Evacuation alert accidentally sent to 10 million
An evacuation alert has mistakenly been blasted to every single cell phone across Los Angeles sending the roughly 10 million residents into a frenzy.
The message warned of an impending fire that could potentially descend upon them, leaving everyone scrambling to figure out if they were in the path of a raging inferno.
Rebecca Alvarez-Petit, a west Los Angeles resident, was on a video call with coworkers when her phone lit up with the urgent notification. Every one of her colleagues had received the same message.
“It was like a massive panic that I was watching in real-time,” she said via the BBC.
“We’re all on pins and needles and have been anxiously sitting by our phones, staring at the TV, having the radio going—trying to stay as informed as possible because there wasn’t a good system in place.
“And then this. It’s like—you have got to be kidding me.”
Death toll doubles
The death toll from the wildfires has risen to 10, authorities say - double the figure announced just hours earlier.
The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner says the remains of these people are still being identified.
“The identification may take several weeks as the Department of Medical Examiner is not able to respond to all death locations due to the fire conditions and safety concerns,” they said in a statement on Thursday night.
The process of notifying the victims’s legal next of kin is also under way.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna also confirmed the death toll was rising — as nightmarish satellite images of the fires emerge. “Even as I’m telling you that, it’s leaving my lips, I’m nervous about that number,” he said in his latest update on Thursday, local time.
Mr Luna said two of the deaths were connected to the Palisades fire, and three from the Eaton fire.
He added he’s praying the death toll does not increase, “but based on the devastation … (it looks like) an atomic bomb dropped on these areas. I don’t expect good news, and we’re not looking forward to those numbers”.
Rapper calls on LA to support firefighters, prisoners
Rapper Chris Brown has called for a “parade” to be held for the firefighters working around the clock to contain the LA wildfires. The 35-year-old also included the 400 inmates who have joined the 14,000 emergency responders working on the crisis.
Inmates are reportedly being paid less than $5 per hour to go head-to-head with the inferno. According to Business Insider, some are being handed a meagre $1 per hour.
“LA, make sure y’all throw a ceremony or parade for these firefighters and first responders after this,” he said in an Instagram post that called out the low pay.
“Also the prisoners who were out there risking they (sic) lives need time knocked off their sentences.”
Jeff Macomber, secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, explained how inmates have been used historically in times of crisis to assist the government.
“Wildfires are a constant and formidable challenge for California, and CDCR conservation fire camps remain dedicated to supporting the state’s response,” he said in a statement this week.
“The work of our incarcerated firefighters and staff is an essential part of this effort, and their commitment to protecting lives and property during these emergencies cannot be overstated.”
‘Everything’s gone’: Actor captures harrowing footage
A NYPD: Blue and Law & Order actor has captured “apocalyptic” scenes of burnt-out houses and cars as fires continue to ravage LA.
William McNamara has been sharing videos of the destruction on social media, while risking his life to find animals left behind in the disaster.
“The smoke is unbelievable. I tried to get in to help evacuate some pets because I got a text about it,” he said in one video shared on Instagram.
Panning the camera to a burnt-out car he said: “They’re all gone, everything’s gone.”
“It’s amazing, so many homes are gone. It’s apocalyptic, it really is.”
Separate harrowing footage, streamed live on Fox News, showed the moment a house in Studio City collapsed to the ground as flames engulfed the structure.
The four-storey home caught alight just before 9pm on Wednesday, local time, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.
“Taken off the map”
Director Jon Turteltaub has shared a grim prediction as the Palisades fire – the most destructive fire in LA history – continues to rip through the suburb uncontained.
“We spend our lives in the Palisades. There are no Palisades. It’s done,” Mr Turteltaub, who lives in Malibu, told ABC News. “I don’t know what you do.”
The Cool Runnings and The Meg director suggested the affluent suburb could be completely wiped out.
“Pacific Palisades, right now, could just be taken off the map,” he said. “There is no Pacific Palisades.”
Like Palisades, the Eaton fire also remains uncontained.
Talks of curfew to prevent looting
Authorities are looking to implant a curfew on Thursday evening around the areas of the Palisades and Eaton fires in an effort to combat looting.
The curfew would run from 6pm to 6am local time, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said.
“As we work through the legal process to get that done, the goal is to try and implement it tonight,” he said.
At least 20 people in LA have been arrested for alleged looting during the fires.
“Over last night and this morning, we are up to 20 individuals who chose to go into our areas and deprive these poor people who have been through so much of their property,” Luna said earlier on Thursday.
Kathryn Barger, the Chair of Los Angeles County – effectively the mayor of the greater LA area – echoed the sheriff’s comments.
“This is simply unacceptable. I promise you, you will be held accountable.
“Shame on those who are preying on our residents during this time of crisis.”
Harris describes “apocalyptic” scenes as government offers disaster response
Vice President Kamala Harris has described the “apocalyptic” scenes as the fires continue to devastate communities, leaving an “impact for months and years to come”.
Providing an update during a briefing with President Joe Biden on Thursday, Ms Harris said: “What we have seen in California, and in particular in Southern California is apocalyptic in terms of the nature of it and the unprecedented nature of it as well.”
“What we are seeing is a situation that is extremely dynamic. It is very much in play, and to some degree unpredictable, because we are literally waiting to see which way the wind blows,” she added.
Ms Harris, former Senator for California, also noted many insurance companies have cancelled insurance “for a lot of the families who have been affected, which is only going to delay or place an added burden on their ability to recover.”
During the briefing, Mr Biden announced the federal government will cover 100 per cent of the disaster response to the fires for 180 days – an increase to the 75 to 90 cent which is normally covered.
“It’s going to pay for things like debris and hazard material removal, temporary shelters, first responders, salaries and all necessary measures to protect life and property and folks,” he said.
Mandy Moore shares devastating update
Mandy Moore has revealed her family’s home in Altadena has been partially destroyed in the Eaton fire, which remains uncontained.
The actor and singer returned to the neighbourhood on Thursday, writing she was able to walk up her street and “bear witness to all the loss”.
“Miraculously, the main part of our house is still standing. For now. It’s not liveable but mostly intact,” Moore wrote alongside photos of the rubble.
The 40-year-old, who lives in the home with her husband Taylor Goldsmith and their three kids, said their garage, back house and Goldsmith’s music studio were destroyed in the blaze.
“Everyone we know lost everything. Every house on our street is gone. My in laws. My brother and sister in law – six weeks from welcoming their first baby. Our best friends.
She added she was “feeling weird survivors (sic) guilt”.
“We love this community and will do everything we can to help rebuild and support. Thanks for everyone for checking on us and offering us help. Altadena strong.”
MORE: Celeb homes destroyed in LA fires revealed
Cause of fires revealed
Last year’s El Nino weather system brought heavy rains that fuelled excessive vegetation growth in the first half of 2024.
Then in the second half of the year there was drought across southern California, with only 4mm of rain in central LA.
Those dry conditions combined with the strong winds have spread the fires quickly.
The winds blow from inland towards the coast and reach speeds of more than 160km/h.
Experts have also pointed to the unusually high winter temperatures in LA which are currently about 20C when 13C is more usual.
Officials are yet to state what spark started the fires but David Acuna, a battalion chief at the Californian Fire Service, said 95 per cent of wildfires in the area are started by humans.
What are the different fires burning?
There are currently five active fires in the Los Angeles area, with two completely uncontained.
The Palisades fire, the most destructive fire in LA history, covers 19,978 acres and is 0 per cent contained, fire officials said on Thursday.
About 5,316 structures are estimated to have been destroyed in the fire.
The Eaton fire covers 10,600 acres and is 0 per cent contained, and the Hurst fire, which covers at least 855 acres, is 10 per cent contained.
The Sunset fire, close to Hollywood, which covers 43 acres is now fully contained, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass confirmed on Thursday afternoon, local time.
There were fears the Sunset fire could threaten landmarks like the historic TCL Chinese and Dolby theatres and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Firefighters have had more success with the Hurst (855 acres) and Lidia (348 acres) fires which are 10 per cent and 40 per cent contained respectively.
Two additional fires broke out on Wednesday but have both been 100 per cent contained.
Residents say firefighters are running out of water and don’t have enough engines.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said his crews were struggling with the scale and speed of the unfolding disasters.
“We’re doing the very best we can. But no, we don’t have enough fire personnel in LA County between all the departments to handle this,” he said.
Wildfires cost $50 billion
The flames have destroyed a hundred luxury residences costing millions of dollars, which means it the fire could be the costliest ever recorded: damage was estimated at $57 billion ($A92bn) by AccuWeather.
US investment bank JP Morgan also estimates the economic losses from the fires could amount to $50 billion.
Actor Jamie Lee Curtis, who evacuated her home due to the Palisades fire, announced her family have pledged $1 million to support relief efforts.
“My husband and I and our children have pledged $1 million from our Family Foundation to start a fund of support for our great city and state and the great people who live and love there,” she wrote on Instagram on Thursday.
Disruption
On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden was in Los Angeles, where he had been expected to announce the creation of two new national monuments.
Strong winds forced the cancellation of that announcement, and several other scheduled events were either cancelled or postponed due to the wildfires.
These included the annual Critics Choice Awards gala, a televised Hollywood ceremony that had been set for the weekend normally attended by many A-list stars.
Next week’s unveiling of the Oscar nominations was also pushed back, to January 19.
Filming of LA-based shows such as Grey’s Anatomy, Hacks and Jimmy Kimmel Live has also been paused, and the Universal Studios theme park has closed.
Mr Biden cancelled his upcoming trip to Italy, which would probably have been his final overseas trip as president, to focus instead on the federal response to the fires.
The Los Angeles Lakers have also postponed their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday, the NBA announced.
“We’re heartbroken for Los Angeles. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this unimaginable situation,” the Lakers said in a post on X.
Tragic detail in fire victim’s death
Among those who died was 66-year-old Victor Shaw, whose sister told local broadcaster KTLA he had ignored pleas to leave as the fire swept through his Altendena area neighbourhood because he wanted to stay and protect their home.
“When I went back in and yelled out his name, he didn’t reply back,” Shari Shaw said.
“I had to get out because the embers were so big and flying like a firestorm that I had to save myself.”
Family friend Al Tanner found Victor’s burnt body on the side of the road the next morning — still with the garden hose in his hands.
“It looks like he was trying to save the home that his parents had for almost 55 years,” Mr Tanner told the outlet.
Ms Shaw said she “fell to the ground” when she learned the horrible news — and couldn’t bring herself to look at her dead brother.
“They just told me that he was lying on the ground and that he looked serene, as if he was at peace,” she said.
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