California wildfires: At least 5 killed in Los Angeles-area fires

Wildfire
Wildfire LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 8: Flames from the Palisades Fire burn a home on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. Five people have been killed, over 25,000 acres have burned, and 30,000 people have been evacuated. (Photo by Eric Thayer/Getty Images) (Eric Thayer/Getty Images)

Firefighters are still trying to extinguish several wildfires burning parts of Southern California.

At least five people were killed by the fires and tens of thousands of people have had to leave nearly everything behind during evacuations.

Winds that had fueled the flames have died down, allowing firefighters to try to bring the fires under control, The Associated Press reported. CNN reported on air that the winds prevented aircraft from taking off to use an aerial attack to put out the fires.

The AP reported that the winds did not make embers blow through the air sideways. Instead, a light breeze made them drift upward.

So far three fires are burning uncontrollably — the Palisades fire west of Los Angeles which has burned 124.7 square miles; the Eaton fire, north of Pasadena burned 16.6 square miles and the Hurst fire in the San Fernando Valley burned 1.3 square miles, the AP reported. The Palisades and Eaton fire are 0% under control while the Hurst fire is about 10% contained, according to state officials.

A fourth fire, the Sunset fire in the Hollywood Hills, burned less than a square mile. A fifth fire, the Lidia fire, has burned 348 acres and is 40% contained.

Two men, Tanner Charles and Orly Israel, shared a now-viral video of them trying to leave Israel’s home as the fire closed in.

Israel told CNN “Every time I watch this video, I’ve got to watch myself running away from the battle of a lifetime. Every time this video plays is just crazy.”

He said that they stayed trying to battle back the flames but left when they realized they did all they could have.

“We gave it our all, and also we stayed there way longer than anyone should have and still lost,” Israel told CNN. “I feel like we fought a losing battle, but we fought it, and I’m glad we made it out alive.”

The fire has also left many without power in the state. More than 425,000 people have no electricity.

The evacuation order for the Sunset fire was lifted Thursday morning but the Los Angeles Fire Department is telling people to be careful when they return home, the AP reported.

Currently, about 130,000 people are under evacuation orders, CNN reported. To help people get out of the area, companies such as Uber are offering discounted rides to people who need to get to designated shelters. Lyft is offering a discount for the first 500 people in the area for a limited time. Airbnb is offering free temporary housing in a partnership with 211 LA.

Planet Fitness is allowing people access to the showers, locker rooms and Wi-Fi for free.

The NBA announced that the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets has been postponed due to the fires. It had been scheduled to be played Thursday night at Crypto.com Arena. The rescheduled date will be announced later.

“The entire NBA family sends its thoughts and support to the community of Los Angeles during this challenging time.  We are grateful for the thousands of local firefighters and first responders who have demonstrated enormous bravery.  Our prayers remain with those affected by the unimaginable devastation caused by the wildfires,” the league said in the announcement.


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