Reporting from Los Angeles
Two lawsuits filed today against Southern California Edison allege the utility failed to de-energize its power equipment and clear brush where a blaze sparked near Pasadena, one in a cascade of wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area, driven by strong winds.
The complaints were filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on behalf of people whose homes and personal property were destroyed in the Eaton Fire. They come as investigators are continuing to determine the cause and origin of the multiple fires that began almost a week ago.
The Eaton Fire, which has burned through more than 14,110 acres and destroyed over 7,000 structures, remained about one-third contained, fire officials said today. The fire was reported at 6:18 p.m. Tuesday, when wind gusts approaching 100 mph ripped through the region.
Despite no official cause, the suits contend there is evidence pointing to Southern California Edison’s inaction. The utility, however, has told state public utilities regulators that fire officials have not suggested its electric facilities played a part in the fire’s ignition.
Netflix announced today that it will donate $10 million to provide immediate relief to families and businesses for wildfire relief.
The money will be split between multiple funds, a foundation and a nonprofit, including the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Motion Picture and Television Fund and World Central Kitchen.
“Beyond this financial contribution, we are directly assisting all of our impacted employees at this incredibly difficult time, including assistance with temporary housing needs for those who lost their homes,” Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said in a statement.
Nature is piling on in the deadly and destructive Los Angeles-area fires: Besides offshore winds that turn flames into firestorms, it has been giving the blazes plenty of dry fuel amid a historically rain-free winter.
Federal forecasters in San Diego say it’s the driest water year on record, with a tenth of an inch of rain recorded so far. The meteorological water year started Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30, with January usually among the top rain-producing months, alongside February and March.
National Weather Service forecasters in Oxnard, which covers the L.A. region, weren’t able to make a historical comparison, but meteorologist in charge Ariel Cohen said “it’s certainly one of the driest” years on record.
The L.A. County Department of Public Works has measured 0.28 inches of rain since Oct. 1, with the average water year bringing 15.44 inches to downtown L.A., according to its data.
The Los Angeles Times reported just days before the fires that the city hadn’t had measurable rain since May 5, with a federal forecaster saying it was a top 10 year for lack of rain so far.
“Regardless of how you look at it, it is extremely anomalous, and the longer we extend into the water year without any storms the more anomalous it becomes,” Julie Kalansky of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography said by email today.
The weather service office in Las Vegas, which nearly borders Southern California, today reported 184 days without rain. “It has now been over half a year since Las Vegas last saw measurable precipitation,” it said on X.
The record streak without rain is 240 days, marked on Dec. 16, 2020, it said.
The dry weather followed two consecutive winters — one during a sometimes drier La Niña weather year and one during a typically wetter El Niño year — of above-average rain and occasional inundations for much of Southern California.
The U.S. Climate Prediction Center noted Monday that 2025 is officially a La Niña weather year, albeit a mild one.
The phenomenon means average sea surface temperatures in the equatorial Pacific have consistently been below average. Consistent above-average temperatures signify El Niño. Both phenomena influence global weather, from hurricanes to drought, meteorologists say.
So far, with atmospheric river-enhanced storms veering north to the San Francisco Bay Area and the Pacific Northwest, the weather is consistent with what earth scientists say a typical La Niña does in Southern California.
After having decided to stay behind in the Altadena area despite the massive and deadly Eaton Fire, the Prata family is providing neighbors with something invaluable: information.
Vanessa Prata said the family packed up to evacuate but in the end decided not to leave. “A lot of us stayed behind to help in any way we could the night of the fire,” she said.
There are 24 known deaths from the wildfires that broke out in the Los Angeles region on Jan. 7 as winds with gusts of 80 mph or more turned fires into firestorms, officials have said. Most of the deaths are in the Eaton Fire.
The Pratas are helping to check on their neighbors’ homes and provide them with information about what is left.
“We are fortunate. The block where we live, we didn’t have any fires. The fire’s north,” Aluizio Prata said.
On the next block, they were able to put out some small fires Wednesday morning, the day after the fire began, he said. “So we kept on driving with our car, and doing whatever we could,” he said.
“Everyone does what they can to help, right? That’s how it works,” he said.
Twelve sports teams that call Southern California home announced today that they are donating a combined more than $8 million to support victims of the wildfires and those fighting the blazes.
The American Red Cross and relief funds for the fires are among those set to receive the donations.
Fanatics, a clothing company, and the Fanatics Foundation will also donate $3 million worth of merchandise to those who have had to evacuate, the teams announced.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said today it is making $5 million in disaster relief available under its California Wildfire Response & Preparedness Fund.
The money will be made available to animal welfare organizations in Los Angeles County that need help responding to the needs of pet owners affected by the fires and those helping rebuild shelter for pets, the ASPCA said in a statement.
There’s a Feb. 17 deadline to apply for disaster relief funds and a June 30 deadline to apply for rebuilding support, it said.
“These wildfires are devastating to people and animals, and we are collaborating with our partners in California to provide protections for the health and safety of owned and shelter animals,” Tim Rickey, the ASPCA’s vice president of national field response, said in the statement.
The granddaughter of Eaton Fire victim Dalyce “Mama Dee” Curry, 95, said it was possible she wasn’t aware of evacuation orders despite having a cellphone.
Dalyce Kelley was the last person to see her grandmother alive after she dropped her off at her home the day the wildfire ignited, Kelley said.
When evacuation orders were issued the next day, Curry wasn’t able to make it out, Kelley said.
She said it was possible her grandmother didn’t receive emergency alerts or didn’t understand what they were because she wasn’t as tuned in to her cellphone as many younger people are.
“Elderly people, they just don’t get into cellphones,” Kelley said. “Not her.”
Curry was part of old Black Hollywood in the 1950s and into the 1980s and appeared as an extra in classic movies like the “Ten Commandments” and “The Blues Brothers,” her granddaughter said.
Kelley said her grandmother was mentored by Madame Sul-Te-Wan, whose real name was Nellie Crawford, a silent film mainstay said to be the first Black woman under a movie studio contract.
Curry loved Altadena and would have hated to see last week’s destruction, Kelley said.
“She loved Altadena,” she said. “She loved that city. She loved that little cottage.”
Though the Grammys will continue as planned, any related events hosted by Universal Music Group will not.
The record label announced on social media today that it was canceling all of its award show events, including its after-party. All of the resources it had allocated for the events will be redirected to wildfire relief, Universal Music Group said.
“L.A. is home to so many of us,” it said. “We are committed to helping and supporting the music community, our artists, our teams and the people of Los Angeles get through this horrific episode.”
Arson investigators from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were in the area of the Palisades Fire today.
The investigators were seen walking and driving around a neighborhood in the Pacific Palisades. The ATF earlier said that it has deployed its National Response Team to investigate the cause of the fire, which broke out last Tuesday amid powerful winds that gusted at over 80 mph.
“The NRT brings a wealth of experience and expertise to these types of investigations,” Brice McCracken, the ATF special agent in charge of the National Center for Explosives Training and Research, said in a statement.
“The NRT is committed to working closely with our partners to determine the origin and cause of the Pacific Palisades Fire,” he said.
The cause of the fire, which destroyed entire neighborhoods and an estimated thousands of homes and other structures, has not been determined.
The Weeknd postponed his Jan. 25 Rose Bowl performance in Pasadena as the region faces multiple deadly wildfires and their aftermath.
The Weeknd, 34, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, said he’s also pushing back the release of the third installment of a trilogy of albums, “Hurry Up Tomorrow,” from Jan. 24 to Jan. 31.
“The city has always been a profound source of inspiration for me, and my thoughts are with everyone impacted during this difficult time,” he said in a statement.
He said he’s focused on supporting recovery and rebuilding efforts.
The music industry publication Billboard reported that the Rose Bowl Stadium concert was scheduled as a way to celebrate the album’s release.
The venue, home to the Tournament of Roses Football Game, better known as the Rose Bowl, as well as UCLA football, is currently the site of a donation drive and a drop-off location organized by street vendors, NBC Los Angeles reported.
Reporting from Pacific Palisades, Calif.
With more than 12,000 structures destroyed by the California wildfires, many now people face the challenge of finding places to live.
There were reports of illegal price gouging on rents, with one real estate agent saying the market has exploded in an unprecedented way.
A small brush fire that broke out on the property of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, north of San Diego, has been fully contained, San Diego Fire-Rescue said tonight.
The winds were favorable and no structures were ever threatened in the fire, which was reported at around 2:22 p.m., the department said. The fire grew to 10 acres but was 100% contained shortly after 6 p.m., it said on its website.
“Miramar Fire crews will patrol all night to watch for flare ups,” the department said.
A law enforcement uncrewed aerial vehicle task force is in place at the fires and looking for drones and operators flying them over fire zones, which present a danger to firefighting aircraft, an FBI official said today.
“If you fly these drones, we’re not able to use our most sophisticated technique to contain these fires and save lives,” Akil Davis, assistant director in charge of the Los Angeles Field Office, said at a news conference.
Last week a Super Scooper water-dropping aircraft was grounded after it collided with a drone.
The FBI is investigating the drone strike and looking for incursions and operators who are violating the airspace, Davis said.
The FBI has recorded about 30 drone incursions; its numbers differ from the Los Angeles Fire Department’s numbers because the FBI has a narrower focus, Davis said. The LAFD has said there have been at least 48 unauthorized drone incidents.
“The fire department is correct. There are that many drones in the air at any given time,” Davis said. “And that’s why we continue to stress to the public: Stop flying your drones over these fires.”
Reporting from Brentwood, Calif.
Some facing the prospect of losing their homes are taking extraordinary measures to save their property.
Some are staying in their homes, trying to protect them with garden hoses, while others have turned to private firefighting companies.
Fans and team members observed a moment of silence before the divisional playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings kicked off tonight in Arizona.
The game, which will eliminate one team on the road to the Super Bowl, was moved to Glendale, Arizona, from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, as the L.A. region is experiencing disastrous wildfires and their aftermath.
“At this time, please stand and join us,” an announcer at State Farm Stadium said, “for a moment of silent reflection.”
Former Rams tackle Andrew Whitworth said in a video the NFL posted on X that Angelenos affected by the fires have his empathy.
“We love you,” he said. “We’re here in this thing with you. We will be back and rebuild L.A.”
Ten people have been arrested on allegations of burglary in fire evacuation zones in the coastal Los Angeles-area city of Santa Monica, police there said today.
The 10 arrests on suspicion of burglary are among more than 40 arrests made in parts of the city where residents were under evacuation orders due to the nearby Palisades Fire, which has destroyed thousands of homes, police said in a statement.
None of the 10 people arrested since last Tuesday live in Santa Monica, police said. Six were caught with burglary tools like window breakers, the police department said. Some tried to conceal their identities by removing license plates and wearing ski masks, it said.
Residents can pick up free N95 masks from any Los Angeles Public Library branch to help protect against the poor air caused by the fires ravaging the county.
South Coast Air Quality Management issued an advisory that extends into tomorrow warning that smoke and ash could be blown around with another wave of heavy Santa Ana winds hitting the area.
Reporting from Los Angeles
A man who was separated for days from one of his two dogs, Oreo, was reunited with Oreo along with the firefighter who saved the dogs from his burning home.
Reporting from Los Angeles
There have been at least 48 unauthorized drone incidents in the L.A. County fire zones, a fire department spokesman said today.
The most serious was a drone strike that ripped a hole in a Super Scooper on Thursday morning as the water-dropping aircraft was involved in a drop over the Palisades Fire. That incident also temporarily grounded other firefighting aircraft.
The Canadair firefighting plane that was struck was out of commission from Thursday to today, when officials announced it had been repaired and would be back in the fire fight.
There have been no arrests or charges in any of the cases as the investigations continue. The FBI and partner agencies have recovered and were examining pieces of the drone.
Officials have not detailed the location ground intercept teams or the specific equipment they use.
Law enforcement officials have said drone operators who run afoul of the rules typically fall into one of three categories — the “clueless, criminal and careless.”
Drones are illegal to fly in areas where there are temporary flight restrictions instituted by the Federal Aviation Administration, which included the fire zones, and operators can be cited. But in cases like the done strike, the investigation could lead to federal charges.
In 2021, a Hollywood man pleaded guilty to a federal charge that he recklessly operated a drone that crashed into and damaged the fuselage of a Los Angeles police helicopter. He said he flew the drone because he was curious about what was going on, according to court document.
He was sentenced to probation and a $500 fine, the local City News Service reported at the time.
Michael Geller, a lifetime Palisades resident, lost his home and business to the Palisades Fire.
“This is an absolute nightmare; this is an apocalyptic movie. There’s no way to assess, really, the magnitude of this situation,” Geller said.
Now, he vows to rebuild — but he’s frustrated at the lack of access for families and business owners who want to assess the damage to their properties.
“I hope that they remove a lot of the red tape,” he said. “I hope that they allow us to receive building permits right away, allow us to get started.”
The L.A. Rams have moved their game against the Minnesota Vikings out of California and into the Arizona Cardinals’ State Farm Stadium in Glendale for tonight’s matchup.
Follow here for live coverage of the game.
Five people were found dead today as the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department worked on searches and rescues in the area of the Palisades Fire.
A spokesperson for the fire department said the operations were part of a “phased” approach to the response to ensure every resident is account for. No additional information about the victims was provided.
The Los Angeles County district attorney said today 10 people have been arrested on allegations related to looting and other crimes in the wake of the deadly wildfires.
“People are trying to profit from the tragedy of the people who have suffered from these various fires,” DA Nathan Hochman said at an afternoon news conference.
The allegations include burglary, including the theft of an Emmy Award from a home in the Eaton Fire area in the Altadena area, officials said at the news conference. Four people face burglary charges in that case, Hochman said.
A duo accused of looted two homes in Altadena during the Eaton Fire on Wednesday night are also charged with burglary, he said.
Officials said that overnight Saturday a person wearing firefighter gear in the Palisades Fire area was arrested. Police would not elaborate on the allegations, citing an ongoing investigation.
“This behavior is despicable,” L.A. County Board of Supervisors member Lindsey Horvath said. “We cannot tolerate it.”
Police said they have made arrests for curfew violations, as well as grand theft.
A 39-year-old man is also accused of arson after, the district attorney alleged, he tried to set a tree on fire Friday in Pioneer Park in Azusa, within walking distance of Angeles National Forest and about 20 miles east of the Eaton Fire.
A brush fire of around 3 to 4 acres has broken out north of San Diego, south of the airfield at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, fire officials said.
The fire is in light fuels with a moderate rate of spread, incident command said. It was reported around 2:22 p.m., San Diego Fire-Rescue said.
“The wind is favorable and no structures are threatened,” the fire department said on a website about the incident. The fire is on the property of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, known as MCAS Miramar.
By around 3:20 p.m. the fire was about 10 acres but with no structures threatened, the fire department said.
Reporting from Los Angeles
Multiple law enforcement sources familiar with the situation told NBC News that an early focus of the investigation into how the Palisades Fire started is a possible human cause.
The sources said potential lines of inquiry involve fireworks or unauthorized people camping in the area, which is parkland also frequented by hikers.
Stressing that it’s still early in the investigation, the sources cautioned that some key investigators had yet to visit the point of origin and that no conclusions have been reached. No possibilities have been ruled out, including accidental or intentional ignitions
Nearly a week after they in Southern California began, the causes of the fires — Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Kenneth and Hollywood Hills — remain designated as “under investigation” officially. Investigations can take weeks or months; the inquiry into the 2023 fires in Maui, Hawaii, for example, took nearly a year.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is leading a joint task force that includes local, state and federal officials to examine all the fires that broke out last week.
Fire officials are investigating a previous Palisades fire reported just after New Year’s Day, which burned at least 9 acres before the fire department was able to extinguish it.
Most schools in the Los Angeles area have reopened today.
Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Debra Duardo said the No. 1 priority in reopening schools was to make sure that they are safe for students and staff.
“We know that students need to be in school, we learned that from the pandemic,” Duardo said. “We want students back, we want to minimize loss of instruction.”
Duardo also said that students’ mental health and well-being is also a priority in reopening schools.
“Many students have been evacuated, many have lost their homes or have family members who have,” Duardo said. “So, we’ve been providing information on trauma to all of our teachers, helping them to prepare on how to answer questions and speak to children who have experienced the fire directly or simply from hearing it all over the news.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency reminded people to keep their eyes peeled for fraud, noting that scam artists often taken advantage of disaster survivors.
The agency posted a notice to its social media with a link to its information page on disaster relief scams. Among the red flags it listed, FEMA reminded people its housing inspectors should already have registration numbers on file and have a government-issued ID with them at all times.
“Don’t trust someone who asks for money,” the agency said. “DHS, FEMA, SBA, and other federal agencies will never charge applicants for disaster assistance or help in filling out applications.”
When flames from the Eaton Fire threatened his Altadena home, Felipe Carillo fought back with what he had available to him: his garden hose.
“I caught on fire a couple of times,” Carillo told NBC Bay Area’s Bigad Shaban. “And so what I started doing is every once in a while I would just spray myself with the garden hose, just soak myself with the garden hose, and continue to fight.”
Carillo was able to save his home and a neighbor’s, and plans on continuing the fight. He’s gathered fire extinguishers, gardening tools and water from his pool to help extinguish any future flames.
“So, if by chance, an amber hits the house and starts, I’m going to give it my best,” he said.
Carillo said he’s not only doing this to protect his home, but also his family’s memories. He became emotional while pointing to a picture of an ultrasound image of his daughter.
“The very first time I saw my daughter,” he said. “So, how do you replace that? You can’t, you just can’t.”
The FBI is seeking information in an incident that occurred on Thursday where an unauthorized drone collided with a Super Scooper firefighting aircraft that was helping extinguish the Palisades Fire.
The collision left a 3 by 6 inch hole in the left wing of the aircraft, which was able to land safely following the incident, according to the FBI.
The FBI is asking anyone with information, photos or videos that can help them identify the operator of the drone to contact them through their tipline.
As flames still span tens of thousands of acres in Los Angeles County, the National Weather Service is warning that another wave of heavy winds will put people at an extreme fire risk.
The service’s Los Angeles branch shared its “particularly dangerous situation” designation, reserved for the most extreme situations, that will begin at 4 a.m. tomorrow morning.
“In other words, this setup is about as bad as it gets. Stay aware of your surroundings,” the branch said. “Be prepared to evacuate. Avoid anything that can spark a fire.”
A veteran FedEx worker living in Altadena, whose home was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, filed a civil lawsuit this morning against Southern California Edison. It alleges the utility company failed to de-energize power equipment and clear brush in the area where the fire began.
Attorneys for Evangeline Iglesias alleged negligence, premises liability and violations of the public utilities code, among other allegations in the 23-page civil complaint filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.
A single mother, Iglesias had had a decades-long career with FedEx and saved to buy and maintain a single-family home, “which has now — along with a lifetime of possessions — been destroyed in the fire.” The suit seeks unspecified punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages.
The suit alleges that the utility should have been well aware of the dangers based on forecasts of potentially catastrophic Santa Ana winds for several days before they ripped through Los Angeles, fanning multiple blazes that include the Palisades Fire.
A fire truck drives down Lake Street as the Eaton Fire moves through the area on Jan. 8 in Altadena, Calif.Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
“There is clear evidence from video footage, photographs, and witness accounts that the fire was caused by electrical equipment operated by Defendants Edison International and Southern California Edison (collectively “SCE”)” the complaint alleges. “SCE had a duty to properly maintain and operate its electrical infrastructure, yet it failed to do so.”
Moreover, the suit alleges that despite “repeated and clear warnings, and thought it appears that SCE de-energized certain electrical equipment in and around Eaton Canyon, SCE failed to de-energize all of its electrical equipment in the area that day.”
In the hours “preceding the first report of a fire in the Eaton Canyon at approximately 6:15 p.m.,” the court filing alleges “data shows that there were more than 300 faults on SCE’s lines in the vicinity of the fire’s origin.”
Authorities so far say the cause of the Eaton Fire remains under investigation. On Sunday the utility company issued a news release in which they said SCE had filed two Electric Safety Incident Reports (ESIR) with California Public Utilities Commission related to current wildfires — one for the Eaton Fire and another for the Hurst Fire.
The reports contain preliminary information and are provided “within two to four hours after a triggering event,” and are often submitted “before SCE can determine whether its electric facilities are associated with an ignition.”
Additionally, the utility company said it had received evidence preservation notices from counsel representing insurance companies in connection with the fire, according to preliminary analysis of electrical circuit information for the four energized transmission lines in the Eaton Canyon area. That analysis shows no interruptions, or operational or electrical anomalies, in the 12 hours prior to the fire’s reported start time until more than one hour after the reported start time of the fire.
The plaintiff’s suit said Southern California Edison had a “history of causing catastrophic damage in Southern California” and that its electrical equipment was responsible for the 2017 Thomas Fire and the 2018 Woolsey Fire, “both of which destroyed thousands of homes, caused billions of dollars in damage, and displaced thousands of families.”
Financial analysts at Wells Fargo Securities say they are now estimating insured losses of about $30 billion from the Los Angeles County wildfires.
Of that amount, 85% of losses are expected to be homeowners’ losses, 13.5% commercial property and 1.5% personal auto losses.
A building that once housed restaurants, coffee shops and other businesses destroyed by the Palisades Fire.Frederic J. Brown / AFP – Getty Images
Los Angeles Rams fans boarded charter buses outside SoFi Stadium early this morning to head to Glendale, Arizona, for the playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings.
The game was moved to the Cardinals’ State Farm Stadium because of the burning wildfires in Los Angeles County.
The Oscar nominations announcement has been delayed for a second time as wildfires continue to ravage Los Angeles, and the nominations voting period has been extended until Friday.
The nominations announcement is now slated to take place Jan. 23 at 5:30 a.m. PT. It will be a virtual event without in-person media coverage, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Monday.
The academy said it still plans to hold the Oscars ceremony on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
The wildfires, fueled by exceptionally dry conditions and strong Santa Ana winds, have killed at least 24 people and swept through 40,000 acres in the Greater Los Angeles area. This weekend, evacuation orders for the largest blaze, the Palisades Fire, expanded. It was 14% contained as of Monday morning and threatens Brentwood, Encino and Westwood.
President Joe Biden said his “heart aches for the 24 innocent souls we have lost in the wildfires across Los Angeles,” in a statement today, reiterating his support in covering costs and sending resources while firefighters continue to battle the flames.
Biden said he has been “frequently briefed” on the recovery efforts in Southern California and has “directed our team to respond promptly to any request for additional federal firefighting assistance.”
The statement added that under Biden’s direction, “hundreds of federal personnel and unique federal aerial and ground support” have been sent to help firefighting efforts and communities suffering from the fires.
“My Administration remains laser-focused on helping survivors and we will continue to use every tool available to support the urgent firefight as the winds are projected to increase,” the statement continued.
Biden said that he and first lady Jill Biden “pray” for the victims who have died and for their loved ones. The president also saluted “the brave firefighters and first responders working day and night to suppress these fires and save lives.”
“You represent the best of America and we are in your debt,” the statement said.
Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin described the devastation caused by the Eaton Fire in the city as “apocalyptic.”
“Especially that first night,” Augustin told Joe Scarborough on “Morning Joe” today. “You know, we had ember casts spotting — making spot fires 2-plus miles ahead of a fire and 70 mile an hour wind gusts, and trees coming down. It was just something I’ve never seen in my life.”
Augustin said none of the cities have enough resources to fight the fires burning in Los Angeles County by themselves.
“Which is why you’re seeing thousands of firefighters coming in from all over the Western United States to help us,” he said.
The Trump team is engaged in active conversations about President-elect Donald Trump visiting Los Angeles to view the wildfire damage, according to two sources familiar with the discussions.
Trump has routinely criticized local and state officials for their response to the fire. But Gov. Gavin Newsom during his appearance on NBC News’ “Meet the Press” invited Trump to visit, and Rep. Judy Chu, a Democrat who represents L.A. County, said Sunday on CBS she intended to invite both Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson as well.
Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt declined to comment. On Fox News this weekend, Vice President-elect JD Vance said he knew Trump “wants to visit California,” but offered no further details.
During the campaign, Trump made a point of visiting disaster sites before President Joe Biden or Vice President Kamala Harris — including, notably, the site of the East Palestine train derailment and the disaster zones for Hurricane Milton and Hurricane Helene in the fall.
When asked if the cause of any of the fires that broke out across Los Angeles County last week has been determined, officials said they remain under investigation.
“Right now we have the task force that is robust, they’re identifying cause and origin for each of these separate fires. None of them have been ruled out as arson. They are ongoing investigations,” Dominic Choi, with the LAPD, told reporters today.
“The Palisades Fire specifically, there’s been no definitive determination that it’s arson at this point, but we’re looking at every angle,” he added.
L.A. County 3rd District Supervisor Lindsay P. Horvath shared an update on the Palisades Fire, saying firefighters continue to hold the blaze along the Mandeville Canyon.
“We’ve also made significant progress in Topanga Oaks, Sylvia Park, Temescal Ridge to Mulholland, all of these areas have been under threat and we are continuing to hold,” she told reporters today.
Santa Monica has lifted its evacuation orders, and an evacuation warning has been updated to all areas north of San Vicente Boulevard.
An air quality smoke advisory continues into next week, and she urged locals to wear N95 masks, close windows and doors, and use air filters.
“Fine particulates are airborne, even in areas not impacted by the fires. Especially children and older adults, especially those with serious health complications, are particularly at risk,” Horvath said.
A firefighter sets up a hose Saturday while fighting the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon.Eric Thayer / AP
Almost 57,000 utility customers are still without power in California as of this morning amid the burning wildfires in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us.
According to Southern California Edison, which serves around 15 million people in central, coastal and Southern California, 41,700 customers are without power in the area.
Yesterday morning, over 65,000 utility customers in the state were without power.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced today that the state will extend its sales and use tax filing deadline from Jan. 31 to April 30 as a result of the Los Angeles wildfires.
“California is taking greater action to continue supporting businesses that have been devastated by the Southern California wildfires,” Newsom said in a statement. “We are strong because of the diversity of our businesses, and we stand by them — providing relief to aid them through this difficult time.”
On Saturday, the Governor also announced that taxpayers have until Oct. 25 to file their California tax returns on their 2024 income.
A Super Scooper water-dropping plane that was damaged by a civilian drone Thursday is expected to return to firefighting tomorrow morning, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said this morning.
“We’re waiting for the (Federal Aviation Administration) to give us approval to fly again,” he said.
That aircraft, on contract from Canada, was flying over the Palisades Fire zone when it was hit by the drone, leaving a hole in the plane.
Drones are illegal to fly in areas where the FAA has imposed a temporary flight restriction over fire zones. Drone operators can be cited, but a strike could lead to federal charges.
A Super Scooper drops ocean water on a hillside as the Palisades Fire burns Jan. 7.Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Sheriff Robert Luna said evacuation numbers are less than in previous days, with 92,000 people under evacuation orders and 89,000 people under evacuation warnings, meaning they may need to leave at a moment’s notice.
Luna said that while he understands residents want to return to see the state of their homes, he said that the Altadena area is under the third day of grid searching — which he described as “a very grim task.”
“Unfortunately, every day we’re doing this we’re running across the remains of individual community members. That is not easy work. Very sad to report … I believe we’ll continue to find remains.”
There are 23 actively missing persons — 17 in the Eaton Fire area and six in the Malibu area, all adults, Luna said.
Luna said thus far there have been 34 arrests under the sheriff’s jurisdiction — 30 from the Eaton Fire area and four in the Palisades area. Yesterday, four were arrested: two over alleged curfew violations and two in connection with a drone incident. Luna said there have been arrests thus far in connection with two specific drone incidents.
L.A. City Fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley said engine strike teams and task forces are strategically prepositioned for rapid response to any new fires that break out in the city as the region is under red flag warnings through Wednesday.
She said at today’s news conference that the LAFD has “maximized our resource capabilities and response capabilities.”
“We are not in the clear. … We must not let our guard down. We have right now extreme fire behavior and we need to make sure that the community is staying updated with information as well as follow all evacuation warnings and orders without delay,” Crowley said. “And please, please stay safe.”
She noted the Palisades Fire spans 23,713 acres and is 14% contained. The Hurst Fire is held to 799 acres with 95% containment.
The Eaton Fire remains at 14,117 acres after gaining no acreage yesterday and is at 33% containment, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said this morning.
Over 7,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed in the blaze and 26% of damage inspections for dwellings have been completed.
Residents affected by the blaze can visit recovery.lacounty.gov/eaton-fire to view preliminary maps showing damage assessments.
Homes destroyed in the Eaton Fire in Altadena yesterday.David McNew / Getty Images
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the country has offered its assistance in combating the Los Angeles wildfires, despite being in the midst of their war with Russia.
“Today, I instructed Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs and our diplomats to prepare for the possible participation of our rescuers in combating the wildfires in California,” Zelenskyy wrote in a post on X.
He said that the effort is already being coordinated, as Ukrainian officials have “offered our assistance to the American side through the relevant channels.”
“The situation there is extremely difficult, and Ukrainians can help Americans save lives,” Zelenskyy said, adding that 150 of the country’s firefighters “are already prepared.”
Zelenskyy’s offer comes as the U.S. is providing assistance to Ukraine in support of its defense against Russia, having given almost $61.4 billion in military assistance.
Cal Fire this morning warned against a post circulating on social media claiming that people can come to California to join a cleanup crew in areas affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
“Please be advised: An inaccurate social media post is currently circulating on Facebook,” Cal Fire said in its 6 a.m. PT fire update for the Palisades Fire.
“This information is false, and we would like to clarify that there is no such opportunity available. We kindly ask that you refrain from calling to inquire about this.”
The Palisades Fire now spans 23,713 acres and is 14% contained, up 1% from yesterday, according to new numbers from Cal Fire this morning.
There is still active fire within the perimeter and islands or unburned land “can pose a threat to containment lines,” according to the 6 a.m. local time situation summary.
Aerial imagery has shown that 5,000 structures may have been damaged or destroyed in the deadly blaze.
The smoldering rubble of houses and businesses in the Pacific Palisades on Friday.David Swanson / AFP – Getty Images
The State Department of Forestry and Fire Protection warned Californians to stay away from their homes in neighborhoods still under evacuation orders even if the fire on their street is out.
“We have downed power lines, which are potentially live, unknown status of gas lines, and every bit of that ash that is out there is toxic with petroleum products from the houses that burned, so it is an unsafe place for families to be,” Cal Fire Battalion Chief David Acuña told CNN.
With the National Weather Service warning of “extremely critical” conditions that could spread the fires, Acuña added that no one should let their guard down.
“The entire region needs to be prepared to evacuate,” he said.
Santa Ana winds are set to cause critical fire conditions over the next three days across parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, as the region continues to battle historic and deadly blazes. Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park joins “Morning Joe” to discuss.
A rapid attribution study for the California wildfires by ClimaMeter found that human-driven climate change played role in the devastating fires still burning across Los Angeles County.
The report found that meteorological conditions are up 5°C warmer, 15% drier & 20% windier compared the past in the area impacted by the fires.
“We ascribe the strengthened winds, higher temperature, and drier conditions triggering January 2025 California wildfires to human-driven climate change, and natural climate variability likely played a minor role,” the report said.
Overall, 15 out of the 20 most-destructive California wildfires have unfolded in the last 10 years, and include the Palisades and Eaton fires.
A firefighter searches for hotspots in a burned home yesterday in the Pacific Palisades.Apu Gomes / Getty Images
A particularly dangerous situation (PDS) red flag warning is in effect through Wednesday — the second such warning in a week and the third one in a month to be issued by the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office.
The peak timing of highest winds are expected to be from 4 a.m. local time (7 a.m. ET) tomorrow morning through noon Wednesday. Areas to watch for highest fire danger: Santa Clarita, San Fernando, Simi Valley, Ventura, Malibu, Pepperdine.
The total damage and economic loss from the Southern California wildfires is now estimated to be between $250 billion and $275 billion, according to AccuWeather.
The preliminary estimate surpasses the total damage and loss accrued during the 2020 wildfire season, according to AccuWeather chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter, who warned today that the wildfires may become “the worst in modern California history” should more additional structures burn down in the coming days and the impact increases.
Malibu to Santa Monica has some of the most expensive real estate in the country, with some homes costing several million dollars.
If these figures are confirmed the damage and economic loss in L.A. has exceeded Hurricane Helene in 2024, which cost between $225 billion to $250 billion, as well as the deadly Maui wildfires in 2023, which cost an estimated $13 billion to $16 billion.
A fireplace and chimney stand amid the rubble of a destroyed home yesterday in the Pacific Palisades.David Swanson / AFP – Getty Images
The City of Angels is living up to its name in the wake of the devastating wildfires, with volunteers and donations pouring into shelters to help fire-stricken communities.
A woman who lost her home to the Eaton Fire volunteered to help other victims this weekend at the Santa Anita racetrack.
“We feel isolated like, ‘Oh, no one cares,’ but at the end of the day when tragedy happens, all over the town they come and support,” she said.
Ruth Judkins, a 89-year-old grandmother who lost her home of 48 years in Altadena, recalled how her community supported one another during the blaze.
“Everybody on our street communicated and just made sure — ‘Are you out? Are you out? Are you safe?'” she recalled to NBC’s Morgan Chesky.
“I don’t worry. I’m at the age where you can look back and actually know what’s important: people,” she added.
Powerful Santa Ana winds are expected to return this week with 10 million people at risk of Santa Ana winds gusting 50 to 70 mph amid low humidity levels between 8 to 15%.
A red flag warning is in effect from 10 p.m. today to noon Wednesday. Wind gusts are forecast to rise up to 50 mph in some areas by tonight.
A particularly dangerous situation red flag warning — meaning extremely critical fire weather conditions with a high risk for large fires with explosive growth — is in place from 4 a.m. tomorrow through noon Wednesday in the I-5 corridor, San Fernando Valley and western Santa Monica Mountains.
“Because it’s been so dry, because there is low humidity, and with fires already burning, whatever vegetation is left is super dry now, and so it will really kick off,” NBC’s Al Roker said in his morning forecast.
Reporting from LOS ANGELES
NBC News’ Ellison Barber reports on the frustration growing for families who want to return home amid the Los Angeles wildfires.
Los Angeles County Fire Capt. Sheila Kelliher spoke of the threat from unburned areas across the Greater L.A. area, with much of SLA and Ventura counties under red flag warnings through Wednesday, meaning conditions are ripe for fire spread.
“It is really challenging because everything is so dry, our humidity is super low, and when those winds start gusting up to 45 miles an hour again, then it really has a chance to push that [fire],” she said.
“We really feel like we’ve got our situation at the Palisades Fire. We know what’s expected in the next couple of ridges, we’re really protected, but anything can happen and a lot of those unburned areas are really a concern,” she added.
When asked when the fires will get under control, she said “Mother Nature just has to cooperate.”
Kelliher noted that there are more than 5,000 personnel working on the Palisades Fire, with help pouring in from across Western states and internationally.
“We’ve got a ton of resources there. Everybody’s in place. The plan is set. It’s just going to take a bit and with the next couple of days of the wind, we just have to get over that hump,” she said.
The remains of Dalyce Curry, a 95-year-old grandmother, were discovered at her home in Altadena, California, yesterday, after the devastating Eaton Fire, her family said.
Dalyce Kelley, Curry’s granddaughter, said in a Facebook post yesterday that her “beloved grandmother” had been missing after the Eaton Fire spread across L.A. and that a coroner had confirmed her remains were found at her property.
“We had a great run. She impacted my life in so many ways. This loss is devastating.,” Kelley said.
‘The Hills’ stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt lost their home just days ago in the Palisades Fire, but Montag’s album ‘Superficial’ is now No. 1 on iTunes after the reality star couple encouraged their social media followers to support them by streaming and downloading her music.
“Anyone that hasn’t gone to iTunes, just do it now. Let’s go to No. 1,” Pratt said in a video posted on TikTok last week. And it looks like their fans followed through.
Heidi thanked fans for their support in the couple’s “darkest hour” in a video posted on social media.
“Thank you for giving us such light in the dark… really taking such a hard, life-altering, destructive thing and using it and shedding a light,” she said.
Heidi and Spencer, dubbed ‘Speidi’ by reality TV fans, became household names after appearing on MTV’s ‘The Hills’ alongside Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge and Brody Jenner.
Spencer Pratt poked fun at his sharp uptick in TikTok followers since losing his home to the deadly wildfires last week, posting in a video on the app: “Who would’ve thought all I needed was our house to burn down to finally hit a million. Can’t believe I didn’t think of that sooner.”
David Gray / AFP – Getty Images
Tennis star Coco Gauff sent a message of support to Los Angeles amid the fierce wildfires after her first round victory at the Australian Open.
The No. 3-seeded American wrote, “Stay strong L.A. Thank you firefighters!,” on the camera lens after she beat Sofia Kenin 6-3 6-3 in Melbourne.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said the large number ofg donations arriving at their fire stations is affecting their operations and called on people to instead send items to donation centers and nonprofits.
“Trying to manage scores of donations impacts our critical operations,” the fire department said in a Facebook post. “We understand wanting to help, we are helpers too. We fully and completely understand…believe us.”
The Palisades Fire has burned through more than 23,000 acres and is 13% contained while the Eaton Fire has reduced to 14,000 acres and is 27% contained, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said in an early morning update.
Meanwhile, the Hurst Fire has grown to more than 770 acres, with 95% containment.
Over 47,000 energy customers are without power in California as wildfires continue early this morning, according to online outage tracker PowerOutage.us.
More than 32,000 of those severed connections are in Los Angeles County alone, the site said.
The Los Angeles Unified School District said most of its schools and offices will reopen today, except for those in the areas still impacted by the bush fires.
“Conditions have improved for a majority of areas across the Los Angeles region and the district is confident it is safe for students and employees to return to campuses,” the school district said in a news release.
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
Los Angeles county’s top prosecutor, Nathan Hochman, is expected to announce charges against a group of group people accused of residential looting in the Pacific Palisades, in a news conference scheduled for Monday afternoon.
The district attorney will also announce charges against a man in Azusa, the LA county sheriff’s department said.
Strong winds will again bring extremely dangerous fire conditions to Southern California early this week, the National Weather Service warned this morning.
A persistent dry spell continues across the region and Santa Ana winds of 40 to 50 mph could fan the wildfires still burning across Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. Winds could peak at 70 mph on Tuesday morning, the service said.
A “Particularly Dangerous Situation” red flag warning has been issued for Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles Counties from Monday night through to Wednesday morning as a result of the ongoing threat.
“These locations will be under a high risk for large fires with potential for very rapid spreading of any fires that may develop,” the NWS said.
William West / AFP – Getty Images
William West / AFP – Getty Images
Poland’s Iga Swiatek writes a message of solidatiry to victims of the LA fires following her victory over Czech Republic’s Katerina Siniakova at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne today.
Officials said there is “significant fire weather ahead of us” as high winds are expected to fuel through Wednesday. The wind-fed wildfires have killed at least 24 people and swept through 40,000 acres in the greater Los Angeles area.
