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New fires break out in Los Angeles as thousands forced to evacuate and officials say 'worst to come' - follow live
8 January 2025, 07:54 | Updated: 9 January 2025, 02:49
A state of emergency has been declared as wildfires rip through a residential area of Los Angeles popular among celebrities, with thousands fleeing the area following an evacuation order.
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Two new fires have started as 6 wildfires now rage in the Los Angeles area, with the 'sunset fire' spreading through the iconic Hollywood Hills neighbourhood, home to many film studios and the Hollywood sign.
The initial fire that ripped through the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday afternoon, with flames now engulfing an area measuring around 15,800 acres "and growing".
The other major fire named the Eaton fire has grown to 10,600 acres and is also still growing as emergency workers battle the 'unprecedented' blazes.
Fire officials say the blaze is gathering pace at an alarming rate, and chiefs warned late on Wednesday that the wildfires could potentially become the most destructive in the history of the state of California.
It comes as gusts reaching 100mph (160km/h) are forecast to sweep through the area in the coming hours.
More than 130,000 people in more than 30,000 households have been ordered to evacuate because of the blaze, said Kristin Crowley, fire chief of the LA Fire Department.
Two new fires have started as 6 wildfires now rage in the Los Angeles area
Two new fires have started, dubbed the Lidia fire and the Sunset fire.
The largest of the two brush fires, the Sunset fire, is in the Hollywood Hills area, near Runyon Canyon.
At a press conference, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley returned to the podium to announce the news.
“I don’t have a lot of information," she says.
"I can tell you we’re throwing all of our available resources at it as we speak.
She then walked off the podium, saying: “I am seeing active water drops as we speak.”
She didn't have many details to share as her department were made aware of the fire only minuted before, she said.
The other fire, named the Lidia fire, started in the Acton area of Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles County fire chief, Anthony Marrone said: "(It is) estimated to be between 80 and 100 acres,
"(It is) 3% contained, and thankfully, forward progress has been stopped".
Biden officially declared Los Angeles wildfires 'national emergency'
Recent hours have seen President Biden officially categorise the wildfires a "national disaster", meaning the state now has access to emergency funds.
Chiefs warned late on Wednesday that the wildfires could potentially become the most destructive in the history of the state of California.
Fire chiefs in California say there is no chance of containing the extensive wildfires, as high winds fuel the blaze across the Pacific Palisades.
Officials say that at least 1,000 buildings have been destroyed so far, with upwards of 100,000 people evacuated - including celebrities Mark Hamill, Tom Hanks, Ben Affleck, and Miles Teller.
LA fire chief said the Palisades Fire is now at '15,800 acres and growing'
Los Angeles Fire Department chief Kristin Crowley has said the Palisades Fire, west of downtown Los Angeles, now covers an area larger than 15,800 acres "and is growing".
"It continues to demand significant local, regional, state and federal resources".
"This incident is very, very dynamic as we speak," she said.
Fire chiefs in California say there is no chance of containing the extensive wildfires, as high winds fuel the blaze across the Pacific Palisades.
Adam Brody and Leighton Meester’s $6.5 million LA home burns down in Palisades fire
Gossip Girl actor Leighton Meester and her husband Nobody Wants This star Adam Brody’s house has burned down in the Pacific Palisades fire.
Leighton and Adam's home was heavily destroyed, with the roof burned almost completely off and many windows shattered.
The couple bought the massive house for $6.5million in 2019, and lived there with their two children.
The fires are spreading quicker than usual because of a lack of rainfall in the area
The fires are particularly dangerous as the affected region in Los Angeles has been particularly dry this year.
This time of year is usually California's 'wet' season, but parts of the state have seen less than half the expected rainfall between October and now.
This means the fires have been able to spread way quicker, as the ground, plants and trees have become very dry and easily flammable.
Just last week, the US drought monitor said the area is experiencing a 'moderate drought'.
Droughts occur naturally in California's climate, but they are becoming drier than because of human-induced global warming, according to the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) in California.
Biden says his administration will do 'anything and everything' to help contain fires
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President Biden spoke at a Santa Monica fire station earlier today after being briefed by fire chiefs and public safety officials.
He said the government will do "anything and everything" it can to assist in containing the four fires in Los Angeles.
He also promised government will help rebuild the destroyed buildings and structures.
Gavin Newsom, the governor for California, also addressed people at the fire station.
"It's impossible for me to express the level of appreciation, and cooperation we received in the White House and this administration," Newsom said.
Palisades fire has grown to more than 11,800 acres with 0% containment, authorities say.
The Eaton fire, meanwhile, has destroyed more than 10,600 acres and also has not been contained at all.
The four fires raging across northern California are spreading rapidly, as firefighters and emergency workers struggle to battle the fast-moving inferno.
Two people have been killed and many more have suffered 'significant injuries' in the Eaton fire, county Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said Wednesday morning.
Tens of thousands of people have been asked to evacuate as thousands of buildings have been destroyed.
Moment influencer battles to save £5m home from LA wildfire
This is the horrifying moment an LA influencer was forced to abandon his $5 million home as devastating wildfires ripped through it.
Four apocalyptic wildfires have ravaged Los Angeles this week, forcing at least 30,000 people to abandon their homes, destroying more than 1,000 structures and killing two people.
Firefighters continue to battle the “unprecedented” fires, but authorities have warned “the worst is yet to come.”
Hollywood A-listers have seen their luxury mansions turned to rubble and ash as the fire causes indiscriminate chaos across the California city’s suburbs.
And in a horrifying video shared online, influencer Orly Israel can be seen battling to save his $5million home, before being forced to abandon it by his friend.
Joe Biden tells of federal government assistance in tackling fires
Mr Biden says the US federal government is doing "anything and everything" we can to "contain the fires" in a press conference.
California governor Gavin Newsom said in response: "It's impossible for me to express the level of appreciation, and cooperation we received in the White House and this administration".
Trump speaks out to blame California governor for the fires
US president-elect Donald Trump has criticised Democrat California governor Gavin Newsom for his response to the fires.
He said on his social media platform Truth Social that water shortages in the state are hindering efforts to quell the massive blazes.
Mr Trump said that he will "demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA!"
The two previously sparred over fires in California in Mr Trump's first term.
