California Wildfires Containment: Latest on LA and Ventura Fires

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After a week of fires sweeping across LA County, fueled by high winds and low humidity, some blazes have been contained, while others are still continuing to burn at less than 50 percent containment.

Californians are bracing for "extreme fire conditions" over the next two days, as winds are expected to pick up again potentially exacerbating the blazes that are burning in LA and Ventura counties.

Palisades Fire

Stop sign in Palisades
A stop sign is damaged in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. The Palisades fire is still burning a week on at 14... John Locher/Associated Press

The first fire to burst out in LA County, on January 7, was the Palisades fire, which is still burning across 23,713 acres at 14 percent containment, per the latest updates from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE).

The Palisades fire has claimed 8 lives, and destroyed 1,280 structures including homes, businesses, and iconic landmarks such as the Topanga Ranch Motel, and Will Rodgers' Ranch House.

There are currently 5,200 firefighters, 44 helicopters and 550 fire engines in the Pacific Palisades and Malibu fighting the blaze.

The cause of the Palisades fire is under investigation, with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) urging people to come forward with any information they may have on how the blaze started.

Eaton Fire

The Eaton fire is also still burning a week on from when it began, and is currently at 33 percent containment, stretching across 14,117 acres.

This fire has burned down 2,722 structures in Altadena/Pasadena, a largely middle-class neighborhood of LA with a historically Black population. The fire has also killed 15 people.

There are currently 3,235 firefighters, 16 helicopters and 316 fire engines fighting the Eaton fires.

Altadena community church
Damage is seen to the Altadena Community Church in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire, in Altadena, California. The Eaton fire is still burning across the Altadena area at 33 percent containment. Carolyn Kaster/Associated Press

Hurst Fire

The Hurst fire, which broke out in the Cascades area of Los Angeles late on Tuesday January 7, is now at 97 percent containment. The fire reached 799 acres at its peak.

CAL FIRE's latest report on the Hurst fire said: "Firefighting efforts continue to concentrate on building and improving containment lines with a focus on public safety and structure protection. Residents returning home are advised to use extreme caution."

Auto Fire

The Auto Fire in Ventura County, north of Los Angeles, is the latest fire to break out in California. It began on January 13, and has risen to 56 acres as of January 14.

The Ventura County Fire Department has said that although the fire is currently burning at 0 percent containment, its forward progress has been stopped and, as of right now, no structures were threatened.

#autofire; Forward progress on the Auto fire has been stopped. The fire has been mapped at 55.7 acres with 0% containment.

Firefighters from #VCFD, Ventura City Fire, Oxnard Fire and Federal Fire Ventura County remain on scene mopping up hotspots and working to increase… pic.twitter.com/S3foYVhu9A

— VCFD PIO (@VCFD_PIO) January 14, 2025

News of another bout of extreme winds over the next few days has brought concern that other new fires may erupt that are as hard to tackle, and as destructive, as the Palisades and Eaton fires.

The LAPD has also arrested one person for arson, and is investigating others, in order to prevent future man-made blazes across the county.

Which Areas Have Been Evacuated?

While some Angelenos have been able to return home, or to where their home used to be, several mandatory evacuation orders are still in place across the county.

For the Palisades fire orders spread across Topanga State Park, a large amount of Malibu, and Tuna Canyon Park.

For the Eaton fire there are mandatory orders across parts of northern Altadena, Mount Wilson, and the Sierra Madre Historical Wilderness Area.

A mandatory evacuation order means the fire poses an "immediate threat to life."

Due to incoming winds, more emergency personnel have been stationed across LA County in preparation to fight potential new fires.

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