At least 10 people have been killed by the fast-moving wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, while a suspected arsonist, allegedly armed with a “flamethrower,” has been arrested.
The Department of Medical Examiner announced it received notification of 10 fire-related fatalities on Thursday evening with the death toll expected to climb. It came hours after the Kenneth fire broke out north of the Palisades fire on Thursday, threatening homes near Calabasas and Hidden Hills.
The Los Angeles Police Department said it believed the blaze was started intentionally. Later on Thursday, a man was restrained by citizens using zip ties after allegedly attempting to light a fire in Woodland Hills, before being detained, Sean Dinse of the LAPD’s Topanga Division told KTLA 5.
The suspect, believed to be in his mid-20s, was armed with a “propane tank” or “flamethrower,” according to a witness.
The Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive the city has seen, is now at six percent containment. The fire has scorched almost 20,000 acres, while the Altadena and Pasadena-based Eaton fire has burned 13,690 acres. At least 180,000 residents have been forced to evacuate and 10,000 structures feared burned down.
Firefighters have made significant progress on the Kenneth, Hurst, and Lidia Fires
Firefighters have made significant progress on the Kenneth, Hurst, and Lidia Fires.
The Kenneth Fire is 35 percent contained. The Hurst Fire is 37 percent contained. And, the Lidia Fire is 75 percent contained.
Julia Musto10 January 2025 16:01
As the first home in Pacific Palisades was set ablaze on Tuesday morning, Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass was absent from the city.
Neither was she there when a second brush fire broke out in the Altadena area that evening, nor a third in Sylmar.
Instead, Bass, a 71-year-old former physician and congresswoman, was in Ghana.
James Liddell reports on why the LA mayor was visiting the African nation.
James Liddell10 January 2025 16:00
It’s too soon to know how Southern California’s wildlife have been affected by destructive wildfires
Officials say it’s too soon to know how Southern California’s wildlife have been affected by destructive wildfire.
“The acute effect of the fire is you’re going to lose some wildlife,” said Tim Dillingham, environmental program manager with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, told The New York Times. “I’ve seen birds that have ended up on the ground from smoke inhalation. The same kind of things that affect a person affect wildlife too.”
Julia Musto10 January 2025 15:56
‘We raised our children here’: The Hollywood stars whose homes have burnt down in California wildfires
Julia Musto10 January 2025 15:50
The Palisades Fire is now more than 20,000 acres
The Palisades Fire has now torn over more than 20,000 acres, according to Cal Fire.
With that update, the total acreage from the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, Hurst, and Lidia Fires is 36,253 acres.
Julia Musto10 January 2025 15:40
National Guard arrives in Los Angeles
“The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has officially requested the support of the California National Guard for both fires,” Sheriff Robert Luna said Thursday. “They will be assisting us with traffic control and critical infrastructure protection.”
Julia Musto10 January 2025 15:27
Palisades, Eaton Fires are now some of the most destructive in California’s history
The Palisades and Eaton Fires are now some of the state’s most destructive blazes.
Julia Musto10 January 2025 15:19
Arson suspect arrested by citizens near Kenneth fire armed with a ‘propane tank or flamethrower’
Julia Musto10 January 2025 15:12
Mel Gibson says house burnt down while recording controversial Joe Rogan interview
Mel Gibson has revealed that his house burnt down while he was recording a controversial podcast interview with Joe Rogan.
The Braveheart actor-director said that he was “kind of ill at ease” while talking to Rogan because he knew his neighbourhood of Malibu “was on fire” due to the devastating blazes raging through the Los Angeles area.
“I thought ‘I wonder if my place is still there’, but when I got home, sure enough, it wasn’t there,” he told NewsNation’s Elizabeth Vargas Reports.
“I’ve never seen such a complete burn. It is obviously devastating, it’s emotional. You live there for a long time, and you had all your stuff. I lived there for about 14, 15 years so it was home to me.”
Jacob Stolworthy has the full report.
James Liddell10 January 2025 15:12
Satellite image shows wildfire smoke and flames visible from space
James Liddell10 January 2025 15:00
