LA Fires: 10 Dead, 10K Structures Lost as Neighborhoods Burn – Live Updates

Devastating Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles: Over 10,000 Structures Destroyed

Los Angeles, CA – Fierce wildfires continue to wreak havoc across the greater Los Angeles area, leaving communities in ruins. As of Friday, more than 10,000 homes, businesses, and other structures have been destroyed, with residents grappling with the widespread devastation.

According to Cal Fire, five major fires are still active in Los Angeles County, collectively scorching over 35,000 acres—an area larger than San Francisco. The most destructive, the Palisades Fire, has burned nearly 20,000 acres and remains only 6% contained.

Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire near Altadena and Pasadena, which has grown to over 13,000 acres, is 0% contained. Other fires, including the Kenneth Fire near Woodland Hills, have ignited amidst strong winds, prompting initial evacuation orders, though some have since been lifted.

Tragic Losses and Widespread Displacement

The fires have turned entire neighborhoods to ash, forcing approximately 180,000 residents to evacuate their homes. The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office has confirmed at least 10 fatalities, and officials warn that the death toll may rise.

President Joe Biden has pledged federal support for the wildfire response, covering costs such as debris removal, shelter, and first responders’ salaries for the next 180 days.

Key Updates:

• Water Advisories: Residents in Altadena, Malibu, Pasadena, Pacific Palisades, and parts of the San Fernando Valley, including Sylmar, are under boil water advisories. Authorities recommend using bottled water for safety.
• Fire Spread: The fires have collectively burned more than 54 square miles across Los Angeles County, highlighting the unprecedented scale of destruction.
• Power Outages: Over 260,000 homes and businesses across California are without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us.
• School Closures: The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest in the U.S., has closed all campuses, affecting nearly 436,000 students.

Mistaken Evacuation Alerts Create Confusion

In a troubling turn of events, some Beverly Hills residents received erroneous evacuation alerts early Friday morning. The Los Angeles County Fire Department mistakenly issued the warnings, prompting a statement from city officials assuring residents there were no evacuation orders in place.

This followed another false alert on Thursday, when a technical error triggered a countywide evacuation warning, according to County Supervisor Janice Hahn.

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Community Faces Long Road to Recovery

As firefighters battle to contain the blazes, affected communities face an uphill struggle to rebuild. The combination of powerful winds, dry conditions, and widespread destruction has made this wildfire season one of the most devastating in Los Angeles history.

Residents are urged to remain vigilant, follow official updates, and heed evacuation orders to ensure safety.