Los Angeles wildfires killed at least 5 and more than 100,000 ordered to evacuate from the area, including the Hollywood Hills

Los Angeles experienced its worst wildfires on Wednesday this week and has now spread to the Hollywood Hills. Unfortunately, Los Angeles wildfires caused severe damage, killing at least five people and destroying hundreds of homes, including buildings in the hills between Santa Monica and Malibu. 

The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon and spread quickly due to strong winds and dry weather. It started at 300 acres but grew to 1,200 in just 90 minutes. Governor of California Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency as the blaze burned over 16,000 acres within hours.

Scope of the Disaster

A new wildfire started in the dry Hollywood Hills on Wednesday evening, Fire Chief Kristin Crowley announced. This fire triggered more trouble and increased the total number of active wildfires in Los Angeles County to six. Also, state officials reported that three of the fires remained completely uncontained, and one was completely contained. 

Six Major Wildfires in Los Angeles

According to the Cal Fire Report, the Sunset Fire burned 60 acres (24 hectares) in the Hollywood Hills on Thursday. Helicopters and ground crews made progress in slowing its advance. The Los Angeles Fire Department issued evacuation orders for people in an area bordered by Hollywood Boulevard to the south, Mulholland Drive to the north, the 101 Freeway to the east, and Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the west. This zone includes the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are held. 

Organizers postponed next week’s Oscar nominations announcement by two days due to the fire. For the fire to threaten landmarks like the Hollywood sign and Griffith Observatory, it must cross the 101 Freeway.

Meanwhile, the Palisades Fire on the west side of Los Angeles consumed 17,234 acres (6,974 hectares) and destroyed hundreds of structures. The fire spread rapidly from Topanga Canyon to the Pacific Ocean, impacting areas between Santa Monica and Malibu. Among the destroyed properties was a home reportedly owned by actors Leighton Meester and Adam Brody. Aerial footage showed smoldering neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades, with some houses still engulfed in flames.

To the east, the Eaton Fire burned 10,600 acres (4,289 hectares), destroyed 1,000 structures, and claimed at least five lives. Moreover, authorities arrested three individuals for looting in fire-affected areas.

According to the Latest update from the Los Angeles Fire Department, the Hurst Fire has burned approximately 700 acres (283 hectares) and damaged two mobile homes, with no reported injuries. A mandatory evacuation order for people is in place for areas north of the 210 Freeway from Roxford to the I-5/14 Freeway split. Also, an evacuation warning is issued for areas between the 5 Freeway, Woodley/Balboa, Lahey Street, and Zelzah Avenue.

The Lidia Fire near Acton burned about 348 acres (140 hectares) before firefighters halted its spread around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. According to the Cal Fire, the fire is now 40% contained.

The Woodley Fire began on January 8, 2025, and was initially reported at 75 acres. However, Incident Command has revised the size to 30 acres (12 hectares). Fortunately, now firefighters completely contained the fire and protected structures in the area.

Human Impact

Wildfires across Los Angeles destroyed over 1,000 buildings, including homes reportedly owned by actors Leighton Meester, Adam Brody, and Billy Crystal. Also, the fire in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday contributed this increasingly to the devastation. 

Celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis, Mandy Moore, and Maria Shriver were among the 100,000+ people forced to evacuate as fires raged through the Los Angeles area. Panicked residents evacuated to give up their homes and sought safe places like hotels and shelters. They anxiously waited to learn if their homes had survived. Many houses had already burned down overnight, and at least five people have died so far.

Emergency services, already overwhelmed, handled nearly 4,000 calls to 911 while fighting six active fires across the county. Power outages affected almost 300,000 homes and businesses in Los Angeles County, a decrease of nearly 1 million earlier on Wednesday, according to PowerOutage.us. Schools across the county remained closed through at least Thursday. The fires, spreading rapidly, overwhelmed already exhausted firefighting crews. AccuWeather estimated that the fires caused over $50 billion in initial damage and economic losses.

Water Alert for Pacific Palisades and Surrounding Areas

As Los Angeles wildfires continue to ravage, residents of Pacific Palisades and nearby areas are advised to be cautious with their water supply. The Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (LADWP) issued a safety alert on January 8, urging people to boil tap water or use bottled water for drinking and cooking. This warning is due to low water pressure caused by high water demand during firefighting efforts in the area.

The LADWP has recommended the following precautions:

• Boil tap water for at least one minute before using it, then let it cool.
• Follow this for drinking, brushing teeth, food preparation, and making ice cubes.

The advisory will remain in place until the water pressure is restored and water quality tests confirm its safety. Testing will take at least 48 hours. Residents should stay vigilant and follow these guidelines to stay safe during this time.

Factors Driving the Fires

Researchers have found that a warming climate increases the number of “fire weather” days, where conditions favor wildfire outbreaks.

California is especially vulnerable due to months of low rainfall and a hot summer. The naturally occurring Santa Ana winds, which reach 60-70 mph during this season, combine with the dry conditions to create fast-moving and dangerous fires. This month’s winds have been the strongest in over a decade, drying out the land and setting the stage for fires that may persist for weeks. The fires, driven by high winds, have shifted from mountains to densely populated valleys, increasing their impact more and more.

Emergency Response

According to reports, California firefighters and six other U.S. states firefighting crews were sent to California to assist. Also, firefighters from 250 engine companies and 1,000 personnel were transferred from Northern California to Southern California, according to Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone during a press conference.

President Joe Biden, who declared the fires a major disaster, visited a fire station in Santa Monica to receive a briefing on the firefighting efforts from California Governor Gavin Newsom. Also, the federal government has paid attention to supporting victims of this devastation. The assistance includes:

• Grants for temporary housing and home repairs.
• Low-interest loans to help with uninsured property losses.
• Programs to assist individuals and businesses in recovering from the disaster.

As his final days as president approached, Biden canceled a planned trip to Italy to focus on managing the federal response to the fires, according to the White House. 

Additionally, federal funding will be provided to state, tribal, and eligible local governments and private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Los Angeles County. 

Federal funding is now available statewide to support hazard mitigation efforts on a cost-sharing basis. FEMA has appointed Curtis Brown to oversee and coordinate federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

Damage assessments are still ongoing in other regions. Once evaluations are complete, additional counties and types of assistance may be included in the relief efforts.

Conclusion

The Los Angeles wildfires have caused widespread destruction, killing at least five people and displacing over 100,000. Emergency response teams are working tirelessly to contain six regional active fires. The damage from the Los Angeles wildfires is estimated at over $50 billion, affecting homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Continued support from local, state, and federal governments is an active psychological relief for the victims of this disaster.