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By James Bickerton and Peter Aitken
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California fire authorities have started to get a handle on the various wildfires burning across around Los Angeles, but much work remains.
The Context
The Palisades fire, the Eaton fire and the Hurst fire all started on Tuesday, followed by the Lidia fire on Wednesday and the Kenneth fire on Thursday. Another fire, the Sunset fire, may have also broken out in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday afternoon. The Archer fire started on Friday morning but was fully contained by Saturday morning.
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Many residents in Los Angeles have received an evacuation order Level 3, and the bulk of other nearby areas have a Level 2 warning to be ready for evacuation as the fires keep burning due to difficult conditions. Over 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate affected areas, and at least 16 people have died in connection with the fires.
Why are the California wildfires still burning?
Strong Santa Ana winds that hit Southern California earlier this week may have helped spread already strong fires.
Four wildfires continue to burn as of Sunday morning local time, with the Palisades and Eaton blazes still at a relatively low level of containment.
Where are the wildfires in California?
The wildfires started outside the city of Los Angeles, but some have spread into the city, burning homes and buildings as the winds push the fires to rapidly spread. The major fires all started within areas of "severe drought" that have not had rain since the middle of March 2024.
Weather reports have shown no signs of rain that might help relieve the intensity of the fires.
Palisades fire
Acres Impacted: 23,713
Containment: 13%
The Palisades fire, which is west of Los Angeles, is about 13 percent contained due to ongoing challenges for firefighters including high winds and dry conditions. The fire has already consumed around 23,713 acres, as of Monday morning.
The fire started at around 10:30 a.m. local time last Tuesday, with the cause of the fire under investigation.
The Palisades fire, along with the Eaton fire, is the closest to downtown Los Angeles. Those two fires now rank among the most destructive in California history, at third-most and fourth-most, respectively.
The area is known as an affluent residential neighborhood, with the likes of Tom Hanks, Reese Witherspoon and Michael Keaton calling it home.
Evacuation shelters have been set up at the Westwood Recreation Center on 1350 South Sepulveda Boulevard, the El Camino Real Charter High School at 5440 Valley Circle Boulevard and the Pasadena Convention Center on 300 E Green Street.
Eaton fire
Acres Impacted: 14,117
Containment: 27%
The Eaton fire remains among the least-contained fires currently burning in California – a significant concern as it is also the second-most destructive at the moment and fourth-most destructive in the state's history.
The fire started north of the city, quickly spreading into the Altadena, Pasadena and Glendale areas, destroying a number of landmarks in addition to homes.
However, fire officials on Friday told reporters that even at three percent containment, the wildfire's growth has been significantly stopped.
Kenneth fire
Acres Impacted: 1,052
Containment: 100%
The Kenneth fire hit its peak on Thursday, having only minorly spread over the following day due to the more substantial containment authorities have managed to establish.
The Kenneth fire, however, is one fire that authorities have suspected may have been started intentionally. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) had a suspect in custody as of Friday morning.
Around 60 fire companies deployed to handle the Kenneth fire.
Hurst fire
Acres Impacted: 799
Containment: 89%
The Hurst fire has burned through the San Fernando Valley, prompting evacuation orders for some parts of the area, although the order was lifted on Thursday afternoon after authorities established substantial containment for the fire.
Ritchie Valens Recreation Center, on 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd., has been turned into an evacuation shelter for those impacted by the Hurst fire. Large animal shelters are also available at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center, Industry Hills Expo, Pomona Fairplex and Castaic Animal Care Center.
Lidia fire
Acres Impacted: 395
Containment: 100%
The Lidia fire is the smallest of the ongoing major wildfires, having burned around 395 acres. Authorities have managed to also get the best handle on this fire, containing around 98 percent of the fire.
The fire started on Wednesday afternoon local time, with the cause of the fire remaining under investigation.
Archer fire
Acres Impacted: 19
Containment: 100%
The newest fire to appear is the Archer fire, which started at 11:24 a.m. local time in the area northwest of the city. The fire has been reported as fully contained less than 24 hours after it started.
Why can't ocean water be used to fight the wildfires in California?
While California Governor Gavin Newsom has bemoaned the lack of available water to help fight the fire, experts have warned against looking to seawater as a possible solution.
Ocean water with its high salt content can prove corrosive, leading to damage to metal equipment such as fire pumps and water dumping planes, according to Technology.org.
The salty water could also harm wildlife, destroying an ecosystem for "many years" if used.
Salt also can reduce the cooling effect of water, making it less efficient at lowering the temperature of the fire.
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Update, 1/10/25 at 5:46 p.m. ET: This file has updated to show the Palisades Fire has consumed 21,317 acres and to include a live map of fire spread.
Update, 1/10/25 at 6:05 p.m. ET: This file has been updated to note six fires now burn around Los Angeles.
Update, 1/10/25 at 7:49 p.m. ET: This file has been updated to show that the Hurst fire is now 70 percent contained.
Update, 1/10/25 at 8:32 p.m. ET: This file has been updated to revise the Hurst fire down to 37 percent after Cal Fire revised its estimate.
Update, 1/10/25 at 9:30 p.m. ET: This file has been updated with revised numbers for the Kenneth fire.
Update, 1/11/25 at 12:01 a.m. ET: This file has been updated with revised numbers for Lidia file containment.
Update, 1/11/25 at 8:56 a.m. ET: This file has been updated to show the Palisades fire has now consumed 21,596 acres.
Update, 1/11/25 at 9:40 a.m. ET: This file has been updated with the latest containment numbers.
Update, 1/11/25 at 11:15 a.m. ET: This file has been updated to reflect that the Lidia fire is 100 percent contained.
Update, 1/11/25 at 12:30 a.m. ET: This file has been updated to reflect that the Archer fire is 100 percent contained.
Update, 1/12/25 at 9:19 a.m. ET: This file has been updated to reflect the most recent numbers on the four uncontained fires.
Update, 1/12/25 at 12:01 p.m. ET: This file has been updated to reflect most recent numbers and note the Kenneth fire is 100 percent contained.
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