Summary

Sun rises over charred and burning LA on day three fires

Live Reporting

Edited by Sam Hancock

  1. Thousands flee Los Angeles as three fires threaten city

    Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire as it burns during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, CaliforniaReuters

    Good morning from London. If you're just joining us, here's what you need to know this morning.

    A massive fire is spreading through parts of Los Angeles. Dramatic scenes are unfolding as people flee from homes engulfed in flames and large plumes of smoke rise across the city.

    A state of emergency has been declared across the city.

    There are three wildfires burning:

    • The fire in the upscale Pacific Palisades neighbourhood - home to many celebrities - has spread to more than 3,000 acres
    • A fire above Altadena, near the Eaton Canyon, is growing
    • Fifty acres are burning in the Sylmar suburbs, where a mandatory evacuation has been ordered as firefighters said the flames are growing rapidly

    California's fire agency has warned there is an immediate threat to life in some areas. At least 30,000 people have been told to evacuate their homes and some roads have been gridlocked with traffic jams. Videos show cars abandoned in the middle of the streets being pushed aside by bulldozers so that firefighters can access the area.

    Stay with us through the day as we bring you the latest.

  2. I have never experienced a day like this in Los Angeles

    Regan Morris
    BBC News, Los Angeles

    A U.S flag flies as fire engulfs a structure while the Palisades Fire burns during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, CaliforniaReuters

    We are used to wildfires here in Los Angeles. I have been here over 20 years and I have never experienced a day quite like this. The massive fire in the Palisades is still raging completely out of control and firefighters had enough problems trying to tackle that blaze.

    There are three massive wildfires burning very close to densely populated areas.

    I have spoken to people without power, they drive in their cars until they get a signal, and they are not sure what to do. People here don't know if they should go to sleep because they won't know if they should evacuate. They can see flames - but is it too close, and when is it too close? They have pets, they have children, they don't know where to go.

    The wind is whipping through Los Angeles and that is what's fuelling all these blazes and making them burn out of control. The fire services are very strapped and have called for anyone on vacation or leave to state their availability and come back.

    It is really wild here.

    Return to the latest post

  3. How strong, dry winds are fuelling the fire

    Simon King
    BBC weather presenter and meteorologist

    Fire engulfs a structure as the Palisades Fire burns during a windstorm on the west side of Los AngelesReuters

    Winds have been steadily increasing through the night with the most recent observations showing gusts of up to 60-70mph over the higher ground towards the Angeles National Forest and Santiago Peak.

    These very dry winds coming from the mountains to the north and east and down to the coast of Los Angeles are called the "Santa Ana winds".

    And at the coast, wind gusts in the last couple of hours have been up to 40-50mph (64-80kmh). Around Pacific Palisades they have been up to 55mph (89kmh).

    These winds are forecast to remain high, perhaps reaching 80-100mph (129-160kmh) over the higher ground and fanning the flames down towards the more populated areas around Los Angeles.

  5. Third brush fire declared in San Fernando Valley

    A third brush fire has broken out in Los Angeles.

    The fire in Sylmar, a suburban neighbourhood in the San Fernando Valley, was first reported at 22:10 local time (06:10 GMT) and has already burned 100 acres of brush.

    Mandatory evacuation orders have been issued for people living north of the 210 Freeway, from Roxford Street to the Interstate 5 / 14 split.

  6. 'It looks like Mars, it looks bright red'

    Amrita Khalid, a journalist who lives in coastal city of Santa Monica, evacuated a short while ago. She tells BBC World Service's Newsday radio programme that the day began like any other.

    "I can't stress to you how normal this morning was in Santa Monica. It just seemed like another nice winter morning. But then, I was walking home from the gym and I just noticed big black billowing clouds of smoke."

    She then decided to leave her home for a safer location and says a photo of her neighbourhood that was shared with her affirmed her decision to leave.

    "It looks like Mars, it looks bright red," she said. "So I'm kind of glad I left. I think better be safe than sorry."

    Although wildfires are "a daily reality of living in California," she says this fire is unsettling because it's affecting more populated areas.

    "Just seeing it so close, it kind of unravels you. You associate wildfires, as unfortunate as they are, with remote areas, and this one is hitting very close to home."

    Red flames and smoke can be seen down a suburban tree-lined street.Julian Martinez

    A photo of the neighbourhood reinforced Amrita's decision to flee

  7. Palisades fire rapidly spreads to nearly 3,000 acres

    A firefighter touches his head in front of blazing buildingsEPA

    This map gives you some perspective on how far the Palisades fire has spread.

    It covers more than 2,900 acres near Los Angeles and stretches down towards Santa Monica, a coastal city. The fire is fanned by gusty winds and dry conditions.

    Thousands of people in the wealthy Pacific Palisades community have been forced to evacuate.

    Map of Palisades fire

  8. Watch: A neighbourhood flattened by the raging inferno

    Watch: 'A total loss' - homes engulfed by flames in Pacific Palisade neighbourhood

    Watch these apocalyptic scenes from a Pacific Palisade neighbourhood, where the inferno has levelled homes while it rages on

    At the scene, CBS reporter Jonathan Vigliotti says firefighters are no longer trying to save these structures; they are just trying their best to stop the fire from spreading.

  9. Vice President Harris says California will get federal funding

    The White House has mobilised federal resources and funding to help suppress the fires and reimburse firefighting costs, according to a statement from Kamala Harris.

    California Governor Gavin Newsom also announced the state had secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help ensure the availability of vital resources to respond to the blaze in Los Angeles County.

    A California native, Harris also said she was praying for "fellow Californians who have evacuated" and thanked "the heroic first responders who are risking their own safety".

    Harris added that she is getting regular updates on the efforts to contain the fires and urged residents in affected areas to be vigilant and follow evacuation instructions.

    Kamala HarrisReuters

  10. If you're just joining us, here's what you need to know

    A building burns during the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of west Los Angeles, California, January 7, 2025Reuters

    If you're just joining us, here's what you need to know about the wildfires in Los Angeles, which have been spreading ferociously since they broke out Tuesday evening:

    • Strong winds fuelled a massive fire in southern California, flattening homes, overtaking roads and and forcing at least 30,000 to evacuate. The fire in Pacific Palisades exploded from 10 acres to more than 2,900 acres in mere hours
    • Footage shows neighbourhoods engulfed in flames and residents abandoning their cars to flee the flames. The Los Angeles Fire Department has just posted an appeal for more help from off-duty firefighters
    • A second brush fire broke out later in the evening above Altadena, near the Eaton Canyon, about 40km (26 miles) inland from the Palisades. It is also quickly growing
    • At least 200,000 customers in Los Angeles county are now without power. Some school districts have announced closures due to high winds and power outages
    • A state of emergency has been declared and President Joe Biden has approved the use of federal monies to support affected areas
    • Millions of other people in California are under a red flag warning, meaning they are at an increased risk for large fires

    Stay with us as we bring you the latest.

  11. Senior centre residents evacuated on wheelchairs and hospital beds

    Dozens of elderly people have been evacuated from a senior centre in Pasadena. Footage from the BBC's US partner, CBS News, shows hospital beds and wheelchairs lining the streets, and a huge law enforcement presence in the area.

    A supervisor told CBS that about 95 residents from The Terraces at Park Marino have been evacuated. It is unclear where they would be taken. The centre is about two miles from Eaton Canyon, where we earlier reported that a second brush fire had been spreading.

    Authorities have tried to use any available vehicles to evacuate the residents, including an armoured vehicle typically used to transport SWAT officers, CBS reported.

    People evacuated on bedsCBS / KCAL

  12. Power outages spread across LA county

    The number of people left without power across LA county is rising fast.

    According to the power outage tracking website, PowerOutage.us, some 200,000 customers are now affected.

    In neighbouring San Bernardino county, which is also seeing the impact of the Santa Ana winds, an additional 13,600 people have also lost electricity.

    It follows warnings from officials that strong winds during the night would increase the chance that trees could be knocked over, taking out power lines and blocking roadways.

  13. High school made famous in movies was in flames

    Palisades Charter High School is a famous filming location in LA and has been featured in at least 30 movies and TV shows - including Carrie, The Parent Trap and Teen Wolf.

    The school's alumni include prominent Hollywood figures like JJ Abrams and will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas.

    Multiple reports in US media have said that flames were surrounding the school property, including this video posted on X by reporter Matthew Seedorff.

    It was unclear, as darkness fell, if the school had burned down entirely.

    The Los Angeles Times quoted an advisor to a school board member as saying that the baseball field and tennis courts were on fire, adding that it was not confirmed if the classroom bungalows had been burned down.

    The school was also used for a celebrity charity football game in 2009Getty Images

    The school was also used for a celebrity charity football game in 2009

  14. Wind gusts, ash falls and roads packed with evacuees

    LA reporter battles heavy winds and flying ash during broadcast

    Here's a video of a local television reporter, Elise Martinez with KCBS, who is reporting live near the Pacific Coast Highway.

    "We headed down PCH and they're closing off a lot of the streets there," she says.

    Martinez speaks to a resident who is evacuating when the interview is interrupted by a gust of wind that blows over a fence, almost hitting the man.

  15. State of emergency declared to 'amplify' firefighting response - LA mayor

    Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass said in a statement on X that authorities have declared a state of emergency to "amplify our response to this devastating fire and clear a path for a rapid recovery".

    "The City is working AGGRESSIVELY to confront this emergency," she said, thanking firefighters and first responders who have been working to counter the blaze.

    "To the thousands of families impacted by this horrific fire – the City of Los Angeles is providing resources and shelter as this fire continues," she added.

  16. 'I can’t get over how quickly it all unfolded'

    Lucy Sheriff
    in Santa Monica

    This morning at 10:45am I was watching small flames in the Santa Monica mountains, and within an hour Sunset Boulevard was gridlocked. Two hours later, there was mass panic as everyone tried to evacuate at once. I can’t get over how quickly it all unfolded.

    I saw a father and his 10 year old daughter, in her school uniform, run down the street trying to get to safety. The girl was hysterical – she could see her house on the mountain being engulfed by flames, and repeatedly said her mother was in there and was going to die. I heard an elderly woman try to get a ride up to her house so she could get in her car and leave, but no-one would – or could – help her.

    I never received a message about any evacuations or fire warnings – nor did my partner. I was informed by neighbours. The evacuation process was extremely hectic – everyone trying to get out at once on the same road – and it was disconcerting having so little information available. I’m lucky I have a press pass and I could approach emergency services to find out what news I could.

  17. In pictures: Beachfront homes engulfed in flames

    Firefighters are racing to extinguish flames that have turned entire homes into blazing infernos.

    About 30,000 residents have been evacuated from 10,000 households so far, with strong winds expected to fuel the flames into the night.

    Thousands of people don't know if their houses will still be standing when this crisis ends.

    Two firefighters spraying water at a house that is being engulfed by flamesGetty Images
    A house engulfed by flamesGetty Images
    A home burns along a highwayGetty Images
    Embers flying as houses burn along a roadGetty Images
    A house engulfed by flamesGetty Images

  18. Eaton brush fire doubles in size

    The fire near Eaton Canyon, above Altadena, has doubled in size in the past hour and is now at 400 acres, according to Angeles National Forest authorities.

    High winds are driving rapid fire growth, posing a "significant threat" to nearby communities and making containment efforts challenging, according to officials from the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection.

    "Firefighters are working aggressively to slow the spread and protect critical infrastructure under extreme conditions," it said.

  19. Santa Monica orders immediate evacuations

    Smoke from the fire fills the sky as seen from Santa Monica BeachGetty Images

    Smoke from the fire fills the sky as seen from Santa Monica Beach

    Santa Monica authorities have ordered residents in all areas of the city north of the San Vicente boulevard to evacuate.

    "Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW. The area is closed to public access," authorities said in an X post.

    Santa Monica is a coastal city west of downtown Los Angeles, famous for its beaches and the iconic Santa Monica Pier.

  20. Biden 'frequently briefed' on wildfire situation, offers federal assistance

    US President Joe BidenGetty Images

    President Joe Biden has encouraged residents in fire-affected areas to remain vigilant and heed the warnings of local officials.

    In a statement from the White House, Biden said he has been "frequently briefed" on the situation and has offered federal assistance to state and local officials.

    On Tuesday night, the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a grant to support affected areas and to reimburse the state for immediate firefighting costs.

    "My administration will do everything it can to support the response," Biden said.

    Biden and first lady Jill are now in Century City, Los Angeles, just miles away from the wildfire. They had travelled on Tuesday to California's Coachella Valley to announce the creation of two national monuments.