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7m ago
Death toll rises to at least 27 people in L.A. wildfires
The death toll in the Los Angeles-area wildfires has risen to at least 27 people, the L.A. County Medical Examiner said Thursday. Ten people were killed in the Palisades Fire and 17 people in the Eaton Fire since the destructive blazes started burning on Jan. 7.CBS News has confirmed the names of 13 of the victims, and the death toll is expected to continue to rise. The medical examiner’s office said it may take several weeks before the identification of all the victims can be confirmed. The L.A. County Sheriff’s Department said Thursday there are 24 active missing-person cases in the Eaton Fire area and seven people remain missing in the Palisades Fire area.
By Cara Tabachnick
34m ago
Billie Eilish, Green Day, others to headline FireAid benefit concert
Some of music’s biggest stars will headline the FireAid benefit concert to help Southern California recover from the devastating wildfires.Los Angeles native Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas, Dave Matthews, John Mayer, Sting and others will perform at the one-night-only concert at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 30.
Billie Eilish performs on Dec. 21, 2024 in Inglewood, California.
Kevin Mazur Getty Images for Live Nation Entertainment
The Los Angeles Clippers will be covering the expenses of the event and proceeds will go to designated beneficiaries.Tickets will go on sale on Jan. 22 at noon Pacific Time through Ticketmaster.Read more from CBS News Los Angeles.
By Matthew Rodriguez
7:14 PM
Wildfire conspiracy theories are going viral again. Why?
Posts about baseless wildfire theories — ranging from celebrity involvement to secret government weapons — have racked up millions of views. Despite fact-checking efforts, researchers say conspiracies of this kind regularly emerge after large wildfires. Several conspiracy theories emerged in days following the fire outbreak, including one suggesting governments or secret organizations use lasers or microwave systems to ignite wildfires, claims the weather is manmade, fires were started so the government could use the land for “smart cities,” and wildfires are a cover for celebrity crimes.Read more here.-Erielle Delzer and Laura Doan
6:27 PM / January 16, 2025
The mental health toll of wildfires can last longer than people realize, experts say. Here’s why
The toll on mental health from the California wildfires can last longer than people realize, experts say. Residents facing devastation are overwhelmed with uncertainties of the future and feelings of loss, grieving their homes, memories, businesses and loved ones. And many who fared better are dealing with competing emotions like gratitude of survivor’s guilt along with grief.
Talking with children about the wildfires and the mental health implications
04:44
Dr. David Eisenman, a mental health expert at UCLA specializing in research related to public health and natural disasters told CBS News some residents may not even recognize they’re dealing with mental health problems.Read more here.-Sara Moniuszko, Tracy J. Wholf
5:48 PM / January 16, 2025
Altadena man finds Eaton Fire destroyed neighbors’ houses but spared his
A resident in Altadena returned to his block and found his house was the only one still standing after the Eaton Fire tore through his neighborhood, destroying other houses on the block.”Why do I deserve this?” Enrique Balcazar asked in a social media video. “I don’t know. I don’t think I deserve it, but God bless everybody else with plenty of insurance to rebuild.”
By Danya Bacchus
4:59 PM / January 16, 2025
Some L.A. area communities reopened to residents who fled Palisades Fire
Authorities in the Los Angeles area reopened some communities Thursday that had been evacuated as the Palisades Fire raged.The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said only residents would be allowed to access the newly opened areas. People trying to access the areas need to bring a government-issued ID with them, the sheriff’s department said.”If your address on your ID has not been updated to match the evacuated zone, you will need to bring additional proof of residency,” the sheriff’s department said. “Acceptable documents in this case include a recent utility bill, mortgage documents, property deed, or any other similar proof of ownership or residency.”The sheriff’s department directed people to check an online map to see if their home is within the reopened areas. Those areas are:Zone TOP-U001: North of Topanga Canyon Boulevard and South of Mulholland DiveZone TOP-U002: North of Old Topanga Canyon Road and South of Summit to Summit MotorwayZone DRY-U026-A: North of Mulholland Highway and South of Stokes Canyon RoadZone RRC-U027-A: North of Red Rock Road and South of Calabasas Peak MotorwayThe reopening was effective as of noon local time. Other evacuation orders and road closures remain in effect.
By Alex Sundby
3:57 PM / January 16, 2025
“About 30 people I know lost their homes,” 5th-generation Pasadena resident says
Maya Richard-Craven describes herself as “five generations Pasadena” because her family planted roots in the area roughly a century ago and has lived there ever since. Richard-Craven’s relatives are involved to such an extent in local organizations, social clubs and volunteer groups, that, she said, taking a walk in nearby Altadena often means being waved down by someone who recognizes her mom.”This is a history that is deep,” Richard-Craven told CBS News.Many of the families displaced by the Eaton Fire that erupted last week are people she knows personally. Her cousin’s house was burned, as was her great-aunt’s — where Richard-Craven herself also lived until recently.”About 30 people I know lost their homes,” she said. Richard-Craven only returned to Los Angeles on Wednesday after evacuating and has not been able to visit Altadena since the fire, but she fears the neighborhood centers where the city’s Black community historically thrived are now gone.”I never thought I’d see something like this in my lifetime, and I’m absolutely devastated,” she said. “So many people we know have nothing.”
By Emily Mae Czachor
2:38 PM / January 16, 2025
SoCalGas “working tirelessly to restore service”
SoCalGas, which says it is the nation’s largest natural gas distribution utility servicing over 21.1 million consumers, says it is “working tirelessly to restore service” to areas impacted by the wildfires “as quickly and safely as possible.””We will have mutual assistance arriving in the coming days to help support restoration efforts,” the company said on X.
EATON FIRE UPDATE: We understand how challenging it is to be without natural gas service and are working tirelessly to restore service as quickly and safely as possible. We will have mutual assistance arriving in the coming days to help support restoration efforts. pic.twitter.com/Fe8xJ1T4KC— SoCalGas (@socalgas) January 16, 2025
As of 8 a.m. Thursday morning, the company was reporting more than 16,000 outages related to the Eaton Fire and over 13,000 linked to the Palisades Fire.”Since Jan. 7, SoCalGas has worked around the clock in close coordination with first responders to safely secure natural gas infrastructure, assess the impacts of the fires, make necessary repairs, and begin restoring service to customers,” the company said on its website.
By Sarah Lynch Baldwin
2:08 PM / January 16, 2025
Photos show Rose Bowl converted into site for first responders
The latest photos taken on Thursday show how the Rose Bowl stadium has been converted into a makeshift city utilized by thousands of personnel battling the Eaton Fire.
A frost-covered sleeping bag is seen among first responders’ tents, early morning Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
After being on the front lines, crews come back to what looks like a mass campsite to recharge. They have barracks for sleeping and there are showers and food for first responders.
Enzo Aranda with the San Diego facilities department, looks out from his tent in the first responder’s tent sleeping area, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
By Sarah Lynch Baldwin
1:31 PM / January 16, 2025
Authorities are “holding” some fire areas due to possible deaths
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said Thursday there are “multiple reasons” why authorities cannot let people into the Palisades and Eaton fire areas as search and rescue operations continue in both areas.”We still have a variety of work and structures to go through,” he said. “But even as we’re going through some of these grids, there are areas that we are holding because we believe there may be deceased victims there.””We have to hold for the right time and the right resources to process the scene correctly, and that’s going to take a little while,” Luna said.He said authorities “know people want to get back into their neighborhoods, but we’re talking about people who have passed.”
Latest weather forecast as California winds weaken
09:32
By Sarah Lynch Baldwin
12:30 PM / January 16, 2025
California governor’s executive order aims to fast-track temporary housing
California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Thursday concerning housing for those displaced by the L.A.-area fires.”As thousands of Los Angeles residents have been faced with sudden displacement, the state is taking decisive action to help provide housing and assistance as quickly as possible,” Newsom said in a news release. “Today, we are expediting the creation of new temporary housing by removing roadblocks and strengthening protections against exploitation.”The order extends a ban on price gouging for hotel, motel and rental housing in Los Angeles County to March 8, and aims to make it easier to have temporary trailers on properties while residents rebuild, among other measures.
By Sarah Lynch Baldwin
12:06 PM / January 16, 2025
FEMA deadline to apply for assistance is March 10
The deadline for people affected by the Los Angeles-area fires to apply for FEMA assistance is March 10. People can apply after filing a claim with their insurance company. Applications can be made by phone at 800-621-3362 or by visiting DisasterAssistance.gov. “If you need additional support or would like help uploading documents, you should visit a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) to apply for assistance and learn about resources from FEMA and other state organizations to aid you in your recovery,” FEMA says.Two DRCs were open in Los Angeles County as of Tuesday and more are expected to open in the coming weeks.More information is available on FEMA’s website.
#CaliforniaFires survivors: Once we review your disaster assistance application, you’ll receive a determination letter explaining whether you’re approved for assistance.If not approved, you have the right to file an appeal within 60 days.Learn more: https://t.co/6Oa73e7uCG pic.twitter.com/xYqkR1JBn0— FEMA (@fema) January 16, 2025
By Sarah Lynch Baldwin
11:58 AM / January 16, 2025
At least 36 people reported missing
Authorities are searching for 36 people reported missing in the fires. Five were reported missing on Wednesday, with four in the Eaton Fire area and one near the Palisades, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. That brings the total of missing individuals in the county to 31.Eight others are technically missing in the city’s territory, said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell. Three are believed to be dead, and five are unaccounted for.
By Emily Mae Czachor
11:45 AM / January 16, 2025
Fire chief warns Angelenos to prepare for possible Santa Ana winds next week
Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley urged people to “remain ready” for another round of powerful winds that could potentially move through the region early next week.”There are more extreme winds on the horizon,” Crowley said, referencing the Santa Ana winds possibly forecast to arrive Monday and Tuesday. “It is important that you protect yourselves and your family by planning, preparing and staying aware.”Addressing L.A. residents whose neighborhoods have not been impacted by the current fires, Crowley added that “flying embers from a wildfire can destroy homes over a mile away.” Taking steps to prepare ahead of time could increase the chances of a home surviving a wildfire, the fire chief said.
By Emily Mae Czachor
11:35 AM / January 16, 2025
2 additional deaths confirmed Wednesday, sheriff says
Los Angeles County authorities confirmed two additional deaths tied to the wildfires Wednesday, said Sheriff Robert Luna. Search and rescue teams discovered one of the deceased in the Eaton Fire area and the other in the Palisades Fire area.”We continue to work with multiple partners, not only in the recovery of remains, but then ultimately the identification of the deceased and then the notification to the next of kin,” Luna said at a news conference.He said crews probing the fire damage believe they will find more remains as search operations continue and are maintaining evacuation orders around sites where the remains may be.”As we’re going through some of these grids, there are areas that we are holding because we believe there are deceased victims there,” Luna said. “We have to hold for the right time and the right resources to process the scene correctly, and that’s going to take a little while. Please be patient with us.”
By Emily Mae Czachor
11:32 AM / January 16, 2025
82,400 under evacuation orders, 90,440 under warnings
There are 82,400 people under mandatory evacuation orders Thursday in Los Angeles County, said Sheriff Robert Luna at a news conference. Another 90,440 are under evacuation warnings.”Please keep up with the information we’re putting out because that could change,” said Luna. “Hopefully for the better, but we’ll see what happens.”
By Emily Mae Czachor
11:30 AM / January 16, 2025
L.A. County sheriff: 47 arrested, curfew remains in effect
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said 47 arrests have been made so far amid the fires in the areas the department covers.Most of those arrests — 36 — were made in the Eaton Fire area, while 11 were made in the Palisades Fire area, he said. Luna urged people who “don’t belong” in fires zones to “not go there,” and said a 6 p.m.-6 a.m. curfew remains in effect for the areas.
By Sarah Lynch Baldwin
11:24 AM / January 16, 2025
Last 24 hours has seen “little to no fire growth,” with Palisades as exception
The last 24 hours has seen “little to no fire growth” in the L.A.-area wildfires, although the Palisades Fire is an exception, an official said at a news conference Thursday morning. Several interior pockets in the Palisades Fire are burning. The Palisades Fire was 23,713 acres, with 22% containment as of Thursday morning.
By Sarah Lynch Baldwin
Updated 11:03 AM / January 16, 2025
Fire containment – latest numbers
Crews are steadily working to contain three wildfires in Los Angeles County and one in Ventura on Thursday. Another blaze, the Little Mountain Fire, broke out Wednesday in San Bernardino and spread over 34 acres. Cal Fire said the Little Mountain Fire stopped growing hours after it started, but none of it is contained as of Thursday morning.The Palisades Fire in western L.A. has burned 23,713 acres, and 22% is contained, according to Cal Fire. On the other side of the county, the Eaton Fire covers 14,117 acres with 55% containment. Firefighters have also contained 98% of the Hurst Fire, at 799 acres. Those blazes haven’t expanded in several days.In Ventura County, firefighters have contained 85% of the Auto Fire, which broke out Monday and covers 61 acres, Cal Fire said.
By Emily Mae Czachor
10:36 AM / January 16, 2025
Burn zones face landslide threats
Los Angeles burn zones are facing a new threat: landslides. One Pacific Palisades home that survived the Palisades Fire was later split in half by a landslide, CBS News Los Angeles’ Rick Montanez reported. Video of the damage shows the structure of the ranch-style house cracked vertically from the roof to its base, with one side sliding down the hill where the home stood.It was unclear when exactly the landslide occurred.The one-bedroom home had been listed as a 1,000-square-foot rental on Zillow just over two months ago, going for $14,000 a month.While no rain is in the forecast, mudslides and debris flows are among the concerns for fire-stricken communities when rain eventually does arrive.
California burn zones now facing landslide threats
02:40
By Emily Mae Czachor
10:28 AM / January 16, 2025
Wind siege ends for L.A. fire areas, cooler temperatures ahead
The National Weather Service said Thursday that the “nine-day wind siege has finally ended,” offering relief to the fire-torn Los Angeles region. This comes after a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red flag warning expired Wednesday evening. The region will now see a “significant cooling trend through the weekend,” according to the weather service. Humidity levels will rise, alleviating the dry conditions that helped fuel the spread of wildfires over the past week. “By Thursday afternoon, a solid onshore flow will be arriving along the coast and working its way inland through the rest of the day, finally bringing this long offshore stretch to an end.” For Friday and the weekend, much cooler temperatures are expected.
L.A. area winds weaken as wildfires burn
02:18
By Julie Sharp
Updated 10:06 AM / January 16, 2025
Map shows fires today
A map from Cal Fire shows the wildfires burning in Southern California as of the department’s latest update.The map shows the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Auto and Little Mountain fires.
Cal Fire
Updated 10:06 AM / January 16, 2025
L.A. Clippers owner donates $15 million for wildfire recovery
Steve Ballmer, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team, donated $15 million to wildfire recovery efforts and organizations currently supporting the communities impacted. The funds are particularly focused on providing assistance in Altadena, where the deadly Eaton Fire originated and caused significant damage.”We love L.A. and are committed to supporting the communities affected by the devastating wildfires,” Steve and Connie Ballmer said in a statement released Wednesday through the Ballmer Group, a philanthropic organization. “In coordination with our local partners, Ballmer Group will contribute to addressing immediate food and shelter needs in the community and supporting our first responders.”Ballmer Group shared a list of organizations and relief initiatives that will receive portions of the donation.
By Emily Mae Czachor
Updated 10:06 AM / January 16, 2025
Some red flag warnings still in effect until 3 p.m.
While most red flag warnings that were issued for parts of Southern California have expired, red flag warnings for the Santa Susana Mountains, western San Gabriel Mountains and the I-5 Corridor remain in effect until 3 p.m. local time Thursday.”Offshore Santa Ana winds will continue to diminish for the majority of the area, however winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph will continue into Thursday afternoon for the Western San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Susana Mountains, and I-5 Corridor,” the National Weather Service said.The weather service says “things are starting to look better in terms of the forecast across California and the areas that have been devastated by the ongoing wildfires.””Even though no rain is in the forecast, the winds are expected to switch to a more onshore flow late Thursday and into Friday, bringing higher relative humidities and less chaotic wind flow, thus helping to mitigate the wildfire threat compared to recent days,” it says.
By Sarah Lynch Baldwin
Updated 10:06 AM / January 16, 2025
Safety concerns linger as some evacuees begin returning home
As some evacuees from the Eaton and Palisades fires began returning home this week after their neighborhoods were decimated by wildfires, health officials warned there was still plenty cause for concern. Air quality and safety are top-of-mind for returnees. “Our house is standing,” said Zoe Kahn, who had to flee from her Pasadena home. “But, there’s significant smoke damage.””We are having our house professionally cleaned, and then hiring an industrial hygienist to assess any toxins that are in the home still so that we can make sure it’s safe for us to move back in,” she said. The Kahns are among many families concerned about what they can’t see and dangerous chemicals that may remain. “We do not emphasize enough that you are breathing in particles that you cannot see,” said Jane Williams, the Executive Director of the California Communities Against Toxics during a webinar with air quality and public health experts on Wednesday. “The air quality index does not tell you they’re there. But when you breathe them in, even for relatively short periods of time, they get lodged inside your lungs and have enormous public health impacts.”Read more here.
