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THE death toll in the apocalyptic wildfires in Los Angeles has climbed to 10 as inclement weather threatens to spread flames, which have reduced neighborhoods to rubble.

Fire responders and cadaver dogs have continued to comb through charred debris, searching for victims after the most devastating blaze in Los Angeles history left a massive 180,000 people displaced.

Firefighter examining charred remains of a rabbit statue after a fire.
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A firefighter looks at charred remains outside the destroyed Bunny Museum in the Altadena section of PasadenaCredit: AP
Aerial view of fire damage in a residential neighborhood.
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An aerial view of the devastating Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhoodCredit: AP:Associated Press
January 8, 2025. Pacific Palisades, CA. Scenes from a neighborhood in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles the day after a severe fire destroyed hundreds of homes and other structures. Credit: David Butow/Redux / eyevine For further information please contact eyevine tel: +44 (0) 20 8709 8709 e-mail: info@eyevine.com www.eyevine.com
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Firefighters are desperately battling the massive blazes but are struggling in difficult conditionsCredit: David Butow/Redux/eyevine
Chimneys stand amid debris from a wildfire in Los Angeles.
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Only a pair of chimneys remain at a home in the aftermath of the Palisades Highlands neighborhood on the west side of Los AngelesCredit: Reuters
Illustration of LA wildfire map showing mandatory evacuation and warning zones.
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The latest blaze has broken out in Kenneth, covering an area of 50 acres, and is 0% contained - with further evacuation orders issued.

The Eaton fire, meanwhile, has grown to 13,690.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said areas of the city "look like a bomb was dropped in them" and expects the death toll to rise.

"This is a crisis," he said in a conference Thursday.

Read more in The U.S. Sun

Five people died in the Eaton Fire that is burning through Altadena and Pasadena, which have completely obliterated homes and businesses.

Human remains of a sixth victim were uncovered on Wednesday evening in a home that was destroyed in the Pacific Palisades Fire, according to NBC affiliate .


It comes as...

  • Ten people have died as uncontrolled wildfires engulf Los Angeles
  • At least 179,000 have been evacuated and schools have closed
  • Nearly 400,000 homes are left without power as over 2,000 buildings destroyed and 30,000 acres burned
  • Firefighters are "maxed out" and reportedly running out of water
  • Harrowing footage shows the city up in flames
  • Celebrity homes have been torched, including A-listers like Paris Hilton, Billy Crystal, and Anthony Hopkins
  • Joe Biden slammed for announcing granddaughter's baby news during LA fire presser
  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have invited evacuated pals into their mansion


The County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner said it has received notification of 10 fire-related deaths as of Thursday evening.

President announced on Thursday that the federal government will cover 100% of the cost of the fires.

Biden said the costs will include first responders' salaries and shelters that are housing displaced residents.

Families screamed as we 'ran for our lives' from deadly LA fires - I may not have a home anymore

"We are with you. We're not going anywhere," Biden said in a message directed at residents of Southern .

"We owe you, and we're gonna make sure you get every possible resource you need."

Vice President commended everyone for "acting with urgency" and described the disaster as "apocalyptic."

"We are literally waiting to see which way the wind blows," the vice president added.

However, the vice president slammed insurance companies for adding an extra burden by canceling policies for families whose homes were destroyed in the fires.

"Sadly, many insurance companies have canceled insurance for a lot of the families who have been affected and will be affected," Harris said, speaking alongside Biden.

Insurance companies had previously warned about the widespread economic damages of wildfires.

Months before the devastating fires, insurers such as State Farm and Allstate stopped offering fire protection coverage to residents in California - the biggest home insurance market in the country.

Several insurers also dropped existing customers residing in California areas with high risk for wildfires, according to .

Last year, State Farm announced plans to non-renew 30,000 property policies in California, including 69% of those in Pacific Palisades.

'War zone' LA feels 'broken' as fires still ravage the city - but we will rebuild

The U.S. Sun's Assistant Editor for Exclusives Katy Forrester is an LA resident and she witnessed first-hand the horror as flames engulfed the city. She said the city feels like a "war zone

EVERY year Los Angeles braces itself for wildfires. It is not uncommon to see flames torching the hills and even houses burning to the ground.

But many residents have never witnessed anything as devastating as this week. And it’s nowhere near over.

I spent time near Pacific Palisades, where thick smoke filled the air, and saw desperate families fleeing the city while others begged police to give them access to their properties as roads were blocked off.

“Everything is gone” was heard many times, as thousands of people were left homeless and with few possessions.

I was lucky to only have the power go out in my home, but I’ll never forget what I witnessed traveling throughout the city.

It was like a war zone.

During a visit to a shelter, I spoke with a resident who has lived in his home for almost 30 years and is battling cancer. He stayed long after he was told to pack up and go.

It was only when flames began leaping around his building that he finally gathered his belongings and ran out.

I reported from Altadena, where buildings were still engulfed in flames, and few fire trucks were in sight as emergency services were overwhelmed.

Cars and school buses were completely torched, and heartbroken families stood around in shock, not being able to process what had happened.

As the sun went down, I drove back home towards the city center, which I felt was safe, until I saw orange flames leaping behind buildings just minutes from my house.

I felt sick. I’ve never known wildfires so close to Hollywood, and suddenly, phones were blaring with emergency notifications to evacuate the area.

Traffic lights and street lamps were out, and areas filled with fallen trees from the strong winds became gridlocked.

I feel extremely lucky I live minutes outside of the evacuation zone, but friends panicked and fled their homes.

Although many worldwide will merely shrug when they hear wealthy people have lost their homes, the reality is very different.

The city as a whole feels broken, everyone from single mothers to elderly people have been through hell.

And people are angry.

Dozens have spoken of their insurance policies being canceled just months before the fires, while others are reeling over alleged corruption and mismanagement.

They may be angry. But they are also hopeful. The people of Los Angeles are made of strong stuff.

We will get through this. And we will rebuild.

The rapidly burning fires will "likely result in one of the top five costliest wildfires in US history," broker Aon told the outlet.

The destructive blazes have affected every socioeconomic class, including A-listers , John Goodman, Miles Teller, Anthony Hopkins, and Billy Crystal, whose homes have been reduced to smoldering rubble.

Celebrity hubs have been deserted as gusty winds and dry conditions have caused the six major fires - Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, Sunset and Kenneth - to spread quickly.

As the fires continue to spread throughout the city, critical communications towers are also being threatened by dangerous winds and flames, which could leave residents and news outlets without cell and broadcast service.

Chief of US Forest Service Randy Moore said the strong winds are the biggest concerns for first responders.

Donald Trump and Los Angeles locals have dubbed the fires "apocalyptic," with black smoke blocking out the sky and glowing red embers blowing across the city.

Celebrities lose homes to wildfires

The wildfires haven't spared the homes of the rich and famous with Hollywood A-listers tragically seeing their houses turned to smouldering rubble.

Those who have had their homes burned down include:

  • John Goodman
  • Anthony Hopkins
  • Paris Hilton
  • Leighton Meester and Adam Brody
  • Billy Crystal
  • Miles Teller
  • Eugene Levy
  • Anna Faris
  • Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag
  • James Woods
  • Hunter Biden

Other celebrities have been forced to flee their homes after evacuation orders were issued around the Palisades fire and the Sunset fire.

They include:

  • Mark Hamill
  • Mandy Moore
  • Tom Hanks
  • Reese Witherspoon
  • Ben Affleck

MOST DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN LA HISTORY

The Palisades Fire is the most destructive in Los Angeles's history and has burned more than 17,000 acres, according to Cal Fire.

Parts of Sunset Boulevard have been torched in that blaze, leaving one of the world's most iconic streets in rubble and buildings gutted.

Hollywood Boulevard, which includes the Walk of Fame and the silver screen's most famous cinemas, is under evacuation orders.

Meanwhile, the Sunset Fire is burning in the Hollywood Hills and is beginning to threaten iconic locations like the Hollywood sign and the Hollywood Bowl.

Residents of the Hollywood Hills whose properties are at risk include , , and Quentin Tarantino. 

Some 7,500 desperate firefighters are bravely trying to contain the fires - but the biggest remains at zero percent contained.

Most of those fires started on Tuesday, but new fires continue to form, including an extinguished blaze in Studio City.

A man in a face mask carries a bucket amidst the rubble of a fire-damaged home.
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A man carries a bucket of water as people dig through the rubble of their home that was burnt by the Eaton FireCredit: Reuters
House engulfed in flames during the Eaton Fire.
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A house burns in the Eaton fireCredit: AP
Aerial view of fire damage in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
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The devastation from the Palisades Fire is seen from the airCredit: AP:Associated Press

Some 100,000 people have been forced to evacuate from the Eaton Fire - which is burning near denser suburbs than the Palisades blaze.

Two water companies have warned residents in Altadena against drinking tap water and have even asked not to treat it by boiling it because of possible contamination.

Santa Monica has declared a curfew from sunset to sunrise for the part of the city under mandatory evacuation.

A "high number of significant injuries" have also been caused by burns, but it is not clear what exactly that figure is yet.

Air quality has plummeted across the city to a hazardous level, with Altadena currently seeing worse air than New Delhi.

Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristen Crowley said on Thursday, "I can tell you we’re throwing all of our available resources at it as we speak. I am seeing active water drops as we speak.”

People have been pulled from burning buildings as reckless residents refuse to leave despite clear warnings from officials to do so.

Aerial bombardment of the fires restarted after winds were too strong late on Tuesday night.

However, dry conditions are continuing to push the exhausted firefighters to the limit with hurricane-force winds expected to last for days.

TV star Ricki Lake heartbroken over lost home

Talkshow host Ricki Lake has shared her heartbreak after the Palisades fire burnt down her home in Malibu.

She shared 20 touching photos of her "heaven on earth" before it had burnt down in an Instagram post.

She wrote: "It’s all gone.

"I can’t believe I am typing these words.

"After a valiant and brave effort by our friend and hero @kirbykotler_ Ross and I lost our dream home.

"This description ‘dream home’ doesn’t suffice.

"It was our heaven on earth.

"The place where we planned to grow old together.

"We never took our heavenly spot on the bluff overlooking our beloved malibu for granted, not even for one second.

"I shared our sunset views almost daily with all of you.

"This loss is immeasurable.

"It’s the spot where we got married 3 years ago.

"I grieve along with all of those suffering during this apocalyptic event.

"Praying for all of my neighbors, my friends, my community, the animals, the firefighters and first responders.

"More to share soon of how we escaped with Dolly and not much else.

"For now I grieve."

LOOTERS SHAMED

Police announced that at least 20 people have been arrested for suspected looting as thieves target homes in the wake of the Hollywood Hills and Pacific Palisades fires.

Newly elected District Attorney Nathan Hochman had a stern warning to those who continue to loot.

"These acts are despicable," he said during a Thursday morning press conference, urging thieves to stop looting, internet crimes, and any other behavior targeting victims of the fires.

"Do not expect anything [other] than maximal punishment."

City manager Miguel Marquez called the past 22 hours "brutal," adding that people had "put their own lives at risk to save others".

He said police officers have been "door-to-door," evacuating those still in their homes, which has saved lives - calling their efforts "heroic."

"We will not relent, we will heal, we will rebuild," Marquez stressed.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Luna also shamed looters, warning that they will be arrested and prosecuted if caught.

"Stay out of these areas, it's only for emergency workers and people who live there," Luna said on Wednesday.

"So if you're thinking of coming into any of these areas to steal from our residents, I'm going to tell you something - you're going to get caught, you're going to be arrested, and you're going to be prosecuted."

Fire on hills above Hollywood Boulevard.
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The Sunset fire is burning in the Hollywood HillsCredit: Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 8: Flames from the Palisades Fire burn a building on Sunset Boulevard amid a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. Fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds, the Palisades Fire has grown to over 15,000 acres and 30,000 people have been ordered to evacuate while a second major fire continues to burn near Eaton Canyon in Altadena. (Photo by Apu Gomes/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***
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Sunset Boulevard has been burnt in the Palisades fireCredit: Getty
Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles after a wildfire.
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Parts of Sunset Boulevard have been torched in the fireCredit: Getty
A man and a firefighter search for belongings amidst the rubble of a fire-damaged home.
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Robert Lara (left) looks for belongings along with his stepfather after the Eaton Fire burned their homeCredit: AP:Associated Press

Over 30,000 acres across Los Angeles have burned since the fires began on Monday.

A Cal Fire deputy said on Wednesday that the Palisades Fire, which began on Monday evening, was sparked in a backyard before strong winds fanned embers to neighboring areas.

Nevertheless, fire officials have not determined the origins of the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, which remain under investigation.

I don’t know what's left. I may have lost all of my son's baby photos from my hard drive, everything from my computer, and furniture.

Phillip Cohen, a victim of the Pacific Palisades Fire

Phillip Cohen, 68, a former educator who is battling cancer, was forced to flee his $1 million condo in the Pacific Palisades on Tuesday as flames reached the property.

Cohen has no idea if his home is still standing as he made his way to Westwood Recreation Center for shelter.

Speaking exclusively to The U.S. Sun, he said: "They had to leave their cars. Women sobbing, carrying babies, and holding on to toddlers, running down Sunset Boulevard."

As the fire spread, Cohen had to eventually evacuate himself after flames reached his building.

He said: "This is the worst I’ve seen [in Los Angeles]. The spread is so crazy.

"I don’t know what's left. I may have lost all of my son's baby photos from my hard drive, everything from my computer, and furniture. I can't go back for four or five days."

Firefighter opening a door to a burning auditorium.
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A firefighter opens the door to a burning auditorium inside Eliot Arts Magnet Middle SchoolCredit: AFP
A house engulfed in flames during a wildfire.
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At least six are dead in fires that have hit Los AngelesCredit: AFP
Mandatory Credit: Photo by MediaPunch/REX/Shutterstock (15087806a) Sunset Fire erupts in Runyon Canyon Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA - 08 Jan 2025
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The Sunset Fire in Runyon CanyonCredit: Rex Features
Satellite images comparing a residential area before and after a wildfire.
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Before and after pictures of homes and buildings on East Altadena Drive in AltadenaCredit: AFP
Satellite image of neighborhood in Altadena, California, damaged by the Eaton Fire.
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A satellite showing part of the Altadena neighborhood turned to rubbleCredit: AFP

'ARMAGEDDON'

Canyon Bakery owner Patrice Winter told the Los Angeles Times the fires were like "Armageddon."

He said: "That’s all I can say. What they’re showing on the news is really real; they’re not sensationalizing any of this.

"It’s what I saw with my own eyes. It rocks your world."

President Biden has canceled a trip to and approved a major disaster declaration.

He also said on Wednesday that his son 's $15,800 home "is probably burned to the ground," but that they were still unsure.

., President-elect 's pick to be his next secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, told that his home in Brentwood was evacuated.

"Yeah, we've been evacuated. I'm hoping it's still standing," Kennedy Jr. said.

Schools in the area are to remain closed for the rest of the week and five campuses have been damaged by the flames, school district Dr Blanco confirmed.

On Tuesday night, a crowd of out-of-touch influencers were seen entering an evacuation zone to snap selfies in front of the blazing carnage.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Luna told sightseers to stay away.

A large house engulfed in flames during a wildfire.
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A palatial home on a hillside continues to burn in Pacific Palisades, Los AngelesCredit: Cover Images
Homes burning in wildfire at night.
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The Palisades fire burns dozens of homes on the Pacific Coast HighwayCredit: Getty
A police officer evacuates an elderly woman from her home during a wildfire.
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Cops remove an elderly resident from her home during the Eaton fireCredit: AFP
Couple embracing amidst fire-ravaged neighborhood.
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Claudio and Kathleen Boltiansky embrace in their fire-ravaged neighborhood in Pacific PalisadesCredit: AP
Firefighters battling a house fire.
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Firefighters stand inside a burnt-out building battling a fireCredit: AP

WATER FIGHT

Politicians have begun to argue about water and the preparedness of the LAFD to deal with the situation.

Trump slammed California Governor 's policy decisions, which he said are responsible for the "apocalyptic" burning in Los Angeles.

He slammed Newsom for not signing a deal to provide more water to California over concerns about an endangered fish.

Trump said, "He wanted to protect an essentially worthless fish called a smelt, by giving it less water (it didn't work!), but didn't care about the people of California.

"Now, the ultimate price is being paid. I will demand that this incompetent governor allow beautiful, clean, fresh water to FLOW INTO CALIFORNIA!"

Newsom hit back by telling CNN's Anderson Cooper that “one can’t even respond” to Trump’s attacks.

The governor said, “People are literally fleeing, people have lost their lives, kids lost their schools, families completely torn asunder, churches burned down – this guy wanted to politicize it.”

The Hollywood Sign on a hillside, with smoke in the air.
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The Hollywood sign is seen with smoke from the multiple wildfiresCredit: Getty
Car engulfed in flames during a wildfire.
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A car burns in AltadenaCredit: Getty
Firefighter battling a large wildfire.
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A firefighter stands on top of a fire truck to battle the Palisades FireCredit: Getty
Firefighters battling a wildfire engulfing a building.
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Firefighters work the scene of an apartment building burning during the Eaton FireCredit: AFP or licensors
Remains of a fire-destroyed home in Los Angeles.
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The remains of a home destroyed in the Palisades FireCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Mayor Karen Bass is also under fire after she was in Ghana for the inauguration of its new president when the fires broke out.

Bass did not return to Los Angeles until Wednesday, by which time 1,000 homes had burned to the ground, and 100,000 people had been forced to flee.

Michael Gonzales, 47, a lawyer told the New York Times there was "zero preparation" with the mayor being away despite extreme weather warnings last week.

He said, "It was an utter breakdown in leadership and it starts with the mayor’s office."

Bass pinned the horror situation on months of little rain and the gusty, dry winds and said she took the first plane back to the city.

HISTORIC DISASTER

Kevin McGowan, the director of emergency management of Los Angeles County, described the wildfires as a "historical natural disaster."

Los Angeles County remains under a red flag weather warning as strong winds and low humidity will remain in the region.

The powerful gusts grounded firefighting aircraft on Tuesday evening.

Firefighters battling a fire at a McDonald's restaurant.
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Firefighters work to extinguish flames at a McDonald's in PasadenaCredit: Reuters
Helicopter fighting a wildfire at night.
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A helicopter making a water drop on the Sunset fireCredit: Getty
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 08: A firefighting helicopter drops water as the Sunset Fire burns in the Hollywood Hills with evacuations ordered on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Over 1,000 structures have burned, with two people dead, in wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds across L.A. County. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***
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A firefighting helicopter drops water on the Sunset fireCredit: Getty
Firefighters battling a fire inside a school auditorium.
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Firefighters battle a blaze inside Eliot Arts Magnet Middle School auditoriumCredit: AFP
A resident is evacuated from a senior living facility as the Eaton Fire approaches Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025 in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)
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A resident is evacuated from a senior living facility as the Eaton fire approachesCredit: AP

Crowley said the blazes were "stretching the capacity of our emergency services to their maximum limits."

Fire Chief Marrone said the county and its 29 fire departments "are not prepared for this type of widespread disaster."

"The LA County Fire Department was prepared for one or two major brush fires, but more four, especially given these sustained winds and low humidities," Marrone said.

"This is not a normal red flag alert. People were calling for help. We tried to get them the help that they needed.

Read More on The Sun

"LA County right now, like the LA City Fire Department, is prioritizing life safety, but we are also engaging in structure defense, perimeter control, and aerial operations.

"We're doing the very best we can, but we don't have enough fire personnel in LA County between all of the departments to handle this."

LA wildfires by the numbers

There are five main fires that have hit LA over the last two days and are now threatening the lives of hundreds of thousands of residents.

Here's a list of the key facts for each of the blazes:

Palisades fire:

  • Started: 10.30am Tuesday near Palisades Drive
  • Size: 17,000 acres
  • Containment: Zero percent
  • Injuries: One dead and an unknown number of “significant” injuries
  • Damage: At least, 1000 buildings burned with 13,000 more threatened
  • Evacuations: Some 30,000 people under evacuation orders
  • Summary: The Palisades fire spread quickly in the gusty, dry winds and dry brush and ran into celebrity enclave neighborhoods filled with multimillion-dollar homes. The fire has burned some of the most iconic LA real estate including Sunset Boulevard.

Eaton fire:

  • Started: 6.18pm on Tuesday in Altadena near Eaton Canyon
  • Size: 13,690 acres
  • Containment: Zero percent
  • Injuries: Five dead, unknown number of injuries
  • Evacuations: Some 100,000 people under evacuation orders
  • Summary: The Eaton fire spread rapidly and quickly threatened homes in the area more densely populated than Palisades.

Sunset fire:

  • Started: 6.00pm Wednesday
  • Size: 60 acres
  • Containment: Zero percent
  • Injuries: Unknown
  • Evacuations: Orders issued for parts of Hollywood, but since lifted
  • Summary:  The Sunset fire has threatened Hollywood Boulevard and the iconic Hollywood sign and Hollywood Bowl as it spreads through the Runyon Canyon. The LA Times now reports the blaze is receding after a valiant battle by firefighters.

Hurst fire:

  • Started: 10.29pm on Tuesday in Sylmar
  • Size: 850 acres
  • Containment: 10 percent
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Summary: The blaze broke out near the interstate on the fringe of the city of San Fernando. It is not thought to have damaged any homes so far.

Lidia fire:

  • Started: 2pm on Wednesday
  • Size: 350 acres
  • Containment: 40 percent
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Summary: The Lidia fire is away from the city on the northern side of the Magic Mountain Wilderness Area. It is mostly burning through bush and does not threaten homes.

Kenneth fire:

  • Started: 2.39pm on Thursday
  • Size: 50 acres
  • Containment: 0 per cent
  • Injuries: None reported
  • Summary: The Kenneth fire is in the north west, with evacuation orders issued.
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