Closing summary
Thanks for joining our live coverage of the Los Angeles wildfires so far today. It’s 4pm in California and this blog is closing. These are the top headlines we followed this afternoon:
There are four wildfires currently raging in Los Angeles county. They include:
The Palisades fire, at 23,713 acres and 22% containment.
The Eaton fire, at 14,117 acres and 55% containment.
The Hurst fire, at 799 acres and 98% containment.
The Auto fire, at 61 acres and 85% containment.
The Los Angeles county sheriff’s department has announced the repopulation of communities affected by the Palisades fire, effective at 12.00pm on Thursday, 16 January. The department also announced the repopulation of areas impacted by the Eaton Fire effective 3.00 pm on Thursday, 16 January.
Firefighters are still battling the two largest fires, which have killed 25 people and destroyed more than 12,000 structures. At the same time, government officials are starting an epic job that will unfold over years: clearing Altadena, Pacific Palisades and other ravaged communities of toxic ash and debris. That will be followed by the rebuilding of homes, restaurants, schools, boutiques, banks and houses of worship – all while finding financing for the work.
Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order today to provide temporary housing for those displaced by the Los Angeles firestorms. “We are expediting the creation of new temporary housing by removing roadblocks and strengthening protections against exploitation,” said Newsom in a statement.
Thirty-eight people are still missing across Palisades and Eaton areas. Sheriff Robert Luna said that 31 people remain missing, 24 in the Eaton area, which represents an increase of four from Wednesday. A total of 47 people have been arrested since the fires started. Luna said officials have arrested 36 people at the Eaton incident and 11 at Palisades.
More than 1,600 State Farm customers in the Palisades neighborhood did not have their fire insurance renewed at the end of 2024, according to California’s insurance office. They represented about 70% of State Farm’s market share in Pacific Palisades, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The extreme winds behind the disastrous fires in Los Angeles are forecast to calm the rest of the week into the weekend, making it easier for firefighters to further efforts to put out the massive Palisades and Eaton fires that have been ablaze for over a week.
Updated
The Los Angeles county sheriff’s department announced the repopulation of communities impacted by the Eaton Fire effective 3.00pm on Thursday, 16 January.
The zones along Canyon Crest Road into The Meadows east of El Prieto Road will be reopened to residents.
Updated
