Death Toll Rises, 10K+ Structures Burn, 34K+ Acres Burn: SoCal Fires

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — Fast-moving wildfires, fueled by dry, gusty winds, have killed 10 people and forced evacuation orders for 179,783 throughout Los Angeles County, officials said.

The fires have collectively destroyed at least 10,000 structures throughout LA County, officials announced Thursday afternoon. The numbers, authorities said, are preliminary and are expected to grow. They reflect an unparalleled level of devastation in SoCal fire history.

As the county grapples with the two most destructive fires in Los Angeles history, yet another explosive fire broke out in West Hills, blackening nearly 1,000 acres in three hours. The Kenneth Fire, which spread rapidly, was arson, according to reports.

Santa Ana Winds picked up Thursday evening, bedeviling firefighting efforts.

However, firefighting and National Guard resources flooded in to Los Angeles County Thursday to help battle the flames.

"The number of resources assigned to this fire event has increased significantly, and we are in much better position than we were earlier in the week," said Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Deputy Jon F. O'Brien

Hundreds of members of the California National Guard were deployed to the Los Angeles area Thursday to assist with law enforcement duties around the array of wildfires burning in the region.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said roughly 400 members of the Guard would be stationed around the region to help with traffic control and to restrict entry into the fire zones. He announced earlier in the day that 20 people had been arrested on suspicion of looting in the various burn areas.

What to know as of 9:30 p.m.

• At least 10 people have been killed in the region's wildfires, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner announced.
• Palisades Fire expands to 19,978 acres and destroys an estimated at 5,316 structures. Two people are confirmed dead in the blaze, which was 6% contained as of 6:45 p.m. Thursday. READ THE LATEST HERE.
• Eaton Fire expands to 13,690 acres and destroys 4,000 to 5,000 structures, Pasadena fire officials said at a 3 p.m. news conference. READ THE LATEST HERE.
• Kenneth Fire grows to 960 acres burned as of 5:35 p.m., evacuation order issued. The fire was arson, according to reports. READ LATEST HERE.
• Mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted for the Hurst Fire, which was mapped at 771 acres, with 37% containment as of Thursday evening, according to Cal Fire. READ LATEST HERE.
• An emergency evacuation alert that was sent countywide on Thursday afternoon was sent in error, officials confirmed. READ THE LATEST.
• Some 400 National Guard personnel will assist with the Eaton and Palisades fires as soon as tonight.
• A firefighter was significantly injured after a fall while fighting the Eaton Fire. He is in stable condition at a hospital.
• Sheriff Robert Luna says it will take time to determine the death toll.
• A curfew may be put in place for wildfires burning in LA County to keep people out of evacuation and active burn zones, Luna said. Road closures will be published as soon as they are available.
• More than 20 suspected looters have been arrested.
• Relatives paid tribute to their lost loved ones who died in the Eaton Fire. READ THE LATEST.
• People affected by smoke from the Eaton Fire were advised Thursday by the Pasadena Public Health Department to remain indoors and avoid outside activities to prevent smoke and ash inhalation. READ THE LATEST.

"When people ask us for numbers of fatalities, we want to give them to you, but we have to wait until it's safe for our personnel to be able to go in there and do this right. Because to some people, the death toll may just be a number. To us, on our side of the fence and public safety, Each one of those numbers is a family member," Sheriff Robert Luna said.

SEE ALSO: 70MPH Gusts Return To Menace Cities Already Ablaze

As of 3:40 p.m., here's the latest on each fire burning:

• Palisades Fire: 19,978 acres burned as of 2:30 p.m., 0% containment. Evacuations in place. Wind gusts are up to 60 mph and are expected to continue throughout the day. According to Cal Fire, the number of structures destroyed is estimated at 5,316. The first death associated with the Palisades Fire was reported on Thursday afternoon. READ THE LATEST HERE.
• Eaton Fire: 13,690 acres burned, 0% containment, between 4,000 and 5,000 structures burned. Evacuations in place. Growth significantly stopped. 1,527 firefighting personnel assigned. One Firefighter reported injured but in stable condition. The fire has also reached the top of Mount Wilson. READ THE LATEST HERE.
• Kenneth Fire: 50 acres burned, evacuation order issued. READ LATEST HERE.
• Hurst Fire: 855 acres burned, 10% containment. Evacuation orders in place.
• Woodley Fire: 30 Acres, fully contained.
• Lidia Fire: 348 acres burned, 60% containment. Forward progress has been stopped.
• Sunset Fire: 42.8 acres burned, forward progress stopped. Evacuation orders are expected to be lifted at 7:30 a.m., check here for updates. READ THE LATEST HERE.

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President Joe Biden declared a Major Disaster Declaration Thursday afternoon and said that the federal government will cover "100%" of the cost to help Southern California recover from wildfire damage for 180 days. That includes immediate cash assistance on everything from groceries to prescriptions, he said.

"Spare no expense," Biden said in an afternoon news briefing.

"You're living through a nightmare...I promise to help you get through this," he added.

While fire officials say the Eaton Fire has killed at least five people, the first death in the Palisades Fire was reported on Thursday morning when human remains were found in a burned Malibu home.

The news came just hours after LA Sheriff Robert Luna warned that a more thorough search of the rubble could produce a higher death toll.

By Thursday afternoon, fire crews were still struggling to gain any amount of containment over the largest and most devastating fires burning, particularly the Palisades Fire.

"It is safe to say that the Palisades Fire is one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles," said Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley at a Thursday morning news briefing.

Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire climbed atop Mount Wilson and had reached LA radio and TV transmitters just before 1 p.m., KTLA reported.

READ MORE:

• LA Mayor Karen Bass Faces Scrutiny Over Fire Response, Trip Abroad
• As Wildfires Rage In LA, Trump Casts Blame But Offers Little Sympathy
• How To Help Those Affected By CA Wildfires
• These LA Landmarks From Film And TV Are Damaged By Wildfires

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"What we have seen in California, and particularly in Southern California is apocalyptic," Vice President Kamala Harris said at a news conference.

PREVIOUS UPDATES BELOW:

Amid more chaos and harrowing stories of residents fleeing homes overnight, at least 2o people were arrested on suspicion of looting burned homes, according to LA Sheriff Robert Luna on Thursday morning. Read more about that here.

"Today has turned into a day of mourning for more reasons than the one. As we mourn the loss of lives and property across our county, we are still facing significant threats," said 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger on Thursday morning. "I'm hopeful that the tide is turning."

While at least five people are known to have been killed in the Eaton Fire, Sheriff Luna says a more thorough search of the scorched areas will determine an official death toll.

"At one point, we'll be able to do a more thorough search of these impacted areas — some of them look like a bomb was dropped in them — where we will be able to bring in canines and other things to help us, hopefully not discover too many fatalities," Luna said. "That's our prayer. But this is a crisis, and we don't know what to expect, but we're ready for everything."

While the death toll from the various wildfires ravaging parts of the Los Angeles area remained unclear Thursday, relatives identified four people Thursday who died in the Eaton Fire. The victims include Rodney Nickerson, 82, Victor Shaw, 66, and Anthony Mitchell, 67, and his son Justin, who was in his 20s.

READ MORE:

• Relatives Identify Some Eaton Fire Victims
• SoCal Restaurants Lost In Eaton, Palisades Wildfires: A Running List
• 'The Devastation Is Staggering' Eaton Fire Claims 5K Structures
• Palisades Fire Grows To 19,978 Acres; 5,316 Structures Destroyed
• Sunset Fire Evacuation Orders Lifted In The Hollywood Hills
• 70MPH Gusts Return To Menace Cities Already Ablaze
• Queen Mary Offering Discounted Lodging For Those Impacted By LA Fires

What to know as of 2 p.m.

• At least 5,316 structures have been destroyed in the Palisades Fire, according to the latest update from CalFire.
• 300,000+ without power across LA County, NBC4 reports.
• Nearly 20,000 acres burned in the Palisades Fire, according to Cal Fire.
• President Joe Biden raises federal assistance from 75 to 100% in federal disaster assistance, which will pay for everything from first responders' salaries to groceries for residents in need.
• Biden says those affected by the wildfires are urged to visit Disasasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362.
• Vice President Kamala Harris calls out insurance companies: "Sadly, many insurance companies have canceled insurance for a lot of the families who have been affected and will be affected, which is only going to delay or place an added burden on their ability to recover. I think that is an important point that must be raised," she said at a Thursday afternoon conference.
• CalFire notes that “structures” destroyed can include residential and commercial properties, RVs, sheds or other “minor buildings.”

What to know as of noon:

• Eaton Fire climbs atop Mount Wilson, the peak of the San Gabriel Mountains.
• The Eaton Fire reached broadcast TV and radio transmitters just before 1 p.m., which could severely impact communications across the county.
• Hollywood Hills evacuation order lifted for Sunset Fire
• The Angeles National Forest will remain closed through Jan. 15
• Human remains found in Malibu home amid Palisades Fire.

LA Mayor Karen Bass also addressed the public at the Thursday morning news briefing.

"Historic winds and extensive drought have created a perfect storm that has driven people from their homes and have taken people's homes, and that has taken people's lives," Bass said.

Bass has come under scrutiny this week for her silence on the multiple fires following a recent reduction in budgeting for fire resources in the city.

LA Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said she was also impacted by the wildfires.

"I personally received an alert from Nixle that I too was under an evacuation warning, and I was put in the shoes of tens of thousands of Angelinos who have been facing this from the moment the fires broke out," Horvath said.

Officials urged residents to heed all evacuation orders and to be prepared throughout the city and county.

"Stay informed with trusted news and official updates. Be prepared to evacuate if you live near the wildland area. Follow all evacuation warnings and orders without delay. We also ask the public to stay off the roadways and away from any impacted areas," Crowley said.

What to know as of 8 a.m.:

• The Angeles National Forest is closed.
• 20 arrested by Los Angeles Sheriff's Department on suspicion of looting, according to officials.
• Sheriff Robert Luna says those who remain in evacuation areas will be subject to arrest and a possible misdemeanor amid looting reports.
• Airbnb is offering free temporary housing, call 211 for more information.
• A boil water advisory remains in effect for the Sunset Mesa community and surrounding areas.
• Officials expect winds to subside somewhat on Thursday, according to LAFD Fire Chief Kristin Crowley.
• 400 LA County Sheriff's personnel patrolling and helping residents evacuate. The California National Guard is on standby.

"Not since the 1990s when Los Angeles was hit with the fires, the flood, the earthquake and the riots have I seen such disaster in our city. But like back then, Los Angeles has true grit, it has resilience," said newly elected District Attorney Nathan Hochman.

Thousands of people have fled harrowing scenes across the LA metropolitan area as wind-driven fires created a hellscape that turned idyllic neighborhoods into rubble.

“You realize that the wind is picking up the embers and dropping them in different spots, that there’s no way that those firemen could fight this fire,” said Teddy Leonard, owner of the landmark seafood eatery Reel Inn in Malibu.

As of 7:15 a.m., firefighters had not gained any amount of containment over the largest blazes — the Eaton and Palisades. And of the now five blazes burning in the LA metropolitan area — from the Pacific Coast inland to Pasadena, home of the famed Rose Parade — the Palisades fire has already been dubbed the most destructive fire in LA history.

What to know as of 7:30 a.m.:

• Most school districts across Los Angeles, remain closed on Thursday. All Los Angeles Unified schools are closed.
• Red Flag Warnings and Wind Advisories remain in place for most of Los Angeles through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
• UCLA will "curtail campus operations, cancel undergraduate classes and move graduate courses to remote instruction" on Thursday and Friday.
• A do-not-drink water notification has been issued in evacuated areas in Pasadena.