LA wildfires live updates: More than $100m donated to victims as winds slow giving firefighters a break – UK Times

Hundreds of families have been displaced by the fires that claimed 25 lives since breaking out in the Altadena and Pasadena areas.

The Oscar winner confirmed on his social media that he was donating $1m in partnership with his organisation Re:wild, with funds going to support “both urgent needs and post-fire recovery efforts”.

Malibu resident Dr Chester Griffiths, 62, ignored evacuation orders to keep flames from the Palisades fire at bay with the help of his son and neighbour.

He told the BBC: “We had always known that a fire would come someday – but we didn’t know when.

Sticking to a meticulous plan Dr Griffiths, his son and a neighbour positioned themselves on nearby roofs to spray water on the flames, and used dirt to put out embers on the ground until fire services could get to them.

“There were burning embers coming down on us for about 12 hours.

“[The fire department] felt that all the homes weren’t able to be saved.

“That’s why it’s so important to be trained ahead of time, to have your equipment and truly to have your community’s support.”

Staggered after one of the most destructive natural disasters in Southern California history, thousands of heartbroken families, burned-out business owners and beleaguered leaders across Los Angeles County are beginning to ponder another monumental task: rebuilding what was lost and charting a path forward. Alex Rosewood and nearly her entire family in Altadena, northeast of Los Angeles, lost their homes — her father, whom she and her husband were living with, and her aunt, uncle and cousin next door.

“We all plan to rebuild, for sure,” she said. “It’s going to be a while before we can get in there and build anything,” said Michael Hricak, an adjunct professor of architecture at the University of Southern California, referring to the dangerous chemicals and rubble left behind.

As for new construction, “it’s not being tougher than Mother Nature. It’s being somewhat respectful of Mother Nature and knowing what the challenges are.”

“Are we just inviting another problem down the road?” Hricak said.

Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order intended to clear the way for residents to rebuild quickly.

“As we prepare to make it through the rest of this emergency, we also have to start putting in place what we need to do to rebuild,” the mayor said Wednesday.

The federal government approved spending $100 million to remove paints, cleaners, asbestos, batteries and other household waste from the rubble.

The Los Angeles Zoo will reopen on Thursday after closing amid the deadly California wildfires.

“The Los Angeles Zoo will reopen to the public tomorrow, Jan. 16, and resume normal operations,” the zoo posted on X. “During these challenging times, we hope the Zoo can continue to serve as a place of peace, connection, and inspiration—a reminder of the resilience of nature and our community.”

“If you’d like to support wildfire relief efforts, the Zoo’s food and retail locations will be accepting donations that will be donated to the @calfund,” the post continued.

In a statement, Casey Wasserman said the incoming president Donald Trump shared “unwavering commitment” to LA28.

“As a lifelong Angeleno, I shared our sentiments for President-elect Trump’s continued support in Los Angeles amid the devastation in our region.

“We also addressed the 2028 Games, and we are grateful for his unwavering commitment to LA28 and his leadership in bringing the Summer Games back to the United States for the first time in more than 30 years.

“We look forward to partnering with him and his Administration to deliver a safe and successful Games our nation can be proud of.”

The Summer Games make their return to the United States for the first time in over 30 years. Los Angeles will host the Olympics for a third time in 2028, the other two times being in 1932 and 1984.

Meghan Markle volunteered with an aid organization to provide help to fire victims in southern California, Town and Country Magazine reports.

Markle volunteered with Altadena Teen Girls, an organization founded by 14-year-old Avery Colvert to help her fellow teens in the area impacted by the deadly, destructive blazes.

Markle and her husband Prince Harry have also volunteered elsewhere, including with World Central Kitchen, as the fires continue to devastate California.