Firefighters are still a long way away from containing the two largest wildfires in Los Angeles, though some progress has been made on the smaller fires as of Thursday evening.
Newsweek reached out to the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) by email for comment.
Why It Matters
Over the past few days, five wildfires have ignited in Los Angeles County. Combined, the flames have grown to nearly 29,000 acres.
Thousands of people have had to evacuate because of the blazes, and 424,000 are without power. At least five people have died, and there have been multiple injuries to civilians and firefighters. At times, fire hydrants have run out of water. A state of emergency for Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighborhood was declared by Governor Gavin Newsom.
What to Know
The Santa Ana winds that have contributed to the rapid spread of the flames are expected to continue into Friday. The weather conditions are making it difficult for firefighters to adequately fight the fires.
The causes behind the fires are still under investigation.
Pacific Palisades Wildfire Containment
A recent update from CAL FIRE said that at more than 17,200 acres, the Palisades fire is still 0 percent contained. Schools in the area have been canceled, and firefighting officials believe more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed.
Eaton Wildfire Containment
The second largest wildfire burning in the Los Angeles area is the Eaton Fire at 10,600 acres. A spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Fire Department told Newsweek the fire is still 0 percent contained. Containment happens when firefighters have extinguished the flames and used fire suppression tactics, as well as confirmed that there are no active hot spots or smoldering within the containment perimeter.
Sunset Wildfire Containment
Multiple agencies have reported that the Sunset Fire is "fully contained" as of Thursday.
The LAFD didn't mention containment statistics in its most recent update, which was published Wednesday night, though many evacuation orders had been lifted.
Hurst Wildfire Containment
According to the most recent update from CAL FIRE, the Hurst Fire is 10 percent contained and 671 acres large. Another smaller fire, the Lidia Fire, is 348 acres in size and 40 percent contained.
What People Are Saying
CAL FIRE in a summary of the Eaton Fire: "Firefighters are working aggressively to slow the spread and protect critical infrastructure under extreme conditions. Multiple structures have been damaged or destroyed as the wind-driven brush fire continues ... The combination of low humidity, dry fuels, and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and rapid expansion. Residents are urged to remain alert and follow instructions from local authorities as the situation evolves."
What Happens Next
The National Weather Service (NWS) has extended the red flag warning in the Los Angeles area through Friday evening.
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