LA fires live updates: ‘Particularly dangerous’ winds warning in Southern California
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Bruising Santa Ana winds have returned to Los Angeles County early Wednesday, as the death toll from the still-raging wildfires sits at 25.
Forecasters again declared a “particularly dangerous situation” – the most extreme advance warning also used when violent tornadoes are possible – with local wind gusts expected to reach up to 60mph in the mountains.
The Palisades and Eaton fires are now among the most destructive in Southern California’s history, and progress on containing the blazes has been slow in the windy weather.
The Palisades Fire has torn across nearly 24,000 acres and was 18 percent contained. The Eaton Fire is 45 percent contained after burning more than 14,000 acres.
While Wednesday is expected to be “the last really windy day,” Red Flag conditions continue until 6 p.m. PST due to very low humidity.
While tens of thousands still are unable to return to their homes, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order on Tuesday to start the rebuilding process.
Speaking at a morning press conference on Wednesday, Supervisor Kathryn Barger stressed to residents that the “health concerns are serious.”
“It is important for residents to take health guidance seriously when you’re near impacted areas and debris,” she stressed.
City asks people not to bring donations to Disaster Recovery Centers
Julia Musto15 January 2025 19:59
Federal and local law enforcement authorities form task force to combat crimes related to Los Angeles wildfires
Julia Musto15 January 2025 19:55
Energy Secretary nominee Chris Wright says climate change is real – but stands by comments on wildfire hype
Oil CEO Chris Wright, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Energy, doubled down on past comments about wildfire “hype” at his confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.
California Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla had asked the Liberty Energy CEO if he stood by prior remarks on social media claiming that the hype over wildfires is just hype to justify more impoverishment from bad government policies.
“Given the devastation that we’re currently experiencing in Los Angeles, do you still believe that wildfires are just hype?” the senator asked.
“Climate change is a real and global phenomenon,” Wright replied, noting that he was watching the fires with “great sorrow and fear.”
“I stand by my past comments,” he added.
Previously, in a video posted on YouTube in 2023, Wright said: “There is no climate crisis, and we’re not in the midst of an energy transition either.”
Julia Musto15 January 2025 19:52
‘The Hills’ stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt on losing their home: ‘It’s a place that you love’
Julia Musto15 January 2025 19:31
Air quality could be worse than sensors indicate, health official warns
But, officials have warned that measurements could be deceiving.
“Wind-blown ash particles may be too large to be picked up by our regular instruments and will not influence the AQI measures that we pointed folks to look at for air quality,” Dr. Nichole Quick, chief medical adviser for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, told reporters at a morning news briefing.
Julia Musto15 January 2025 19:28
Actor Danny Trejo calls out Kim Kardashian over using wildfires to promote incarcerated firefighter pay raise
“Kim, worry about the people who lost everything. You’ve still got everything,” actor Danny Trejo told TMZ on Wednesday.
Julia Musto15 January 2025 19:17
YouTube and Google are contributing $15 million to organizations providing immediate relief in Los Angeles
Google and YouTube announced Wednesday that they would contribute $15 million to organizations providing immediate relief during the Los Angeles wildfires.
“Los Angeles is the heart of entertainment and storytelling and has an impact on culture all over the world. It’s also where many YouTube creators, artists, partners and our employees call home. Like so many, we’ve been heartbroken by the devastation from the wildfires and want to do our part to support the community as it rebuilds,” YouTube said in a statement.
Julia Musto15 January 2025 18:58
