L.A. fires live updates: Death toll rises to 25 as winds return, fears increase over 'explosive fire growth'

Newsom says the L.A. wildfires could be the worst natural disaster in U.S. history

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Firefighters are bracing for the return of fierce Santa Ana winds that are expected to fan the flames of massive wildfires across Southern California, with the death toll rising to at least 25 people.

The National Weather Service warned of a “particularly dangerous situation,” with critical to extreme fire weather conditions expected through midweek.

Although peak winds will be weaker than last week, the agency said Monday that the combination of low relative humidity and offshore wind speeds of 20 to 40 miles per hour “will promote rapid fire growth and the possibility of extreme fire behavior.”

The agency’s Los Angeles office said gusts of up to 70 miles per hour were expected in the mountainous regions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said firefighters and firefighters were pre-deployed to the area and urged residents to evacuate the area if ordered to do so. He signed executive orders to help the city rebuild faster, clear debris and prepare for mudslides and floods.

As of Monday morning, the fires have scorched more than 40,000 hectares. Only 13 percent of the more than 23,000-acre Palisades fire has been contained. The Eaton Fire has burned more than 14,000 acres in Altadena and Pasadena and is 27 percent contained.

Forecasters warn that the weather situation will be “as bad as possible” in the coming days

Julia MustoJanuary 13, 2025 8:41 p.m

Wildfires in California impact mail delivery. Affected residents can pick up their mail here

Julia MustoJanuary 13, 2025 8:35 p.m

Power outages are occurring again across Southern California

A firefighter sets up a hose while battling the Palisades Fire in Southern California's Mandeville Canyon on Saturday. The fire did not get any bigger from Sunday to Monday — A firefighter sets up a hose while battling the Palisades Fire in Southern California’s Mandeville Canyon on Saturday. The fire did not get any bigger from Sunday to Monday (AP)

More than 92,000 California customers were without power as of Monday afternoon, according to the tracker PowerOutage.US.

Most of them were in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

Julia MustoJanuary 13, 2025 8:33 p.m

The map shows the range of the warnings

Julia MustoJanuary 13, 2025 8:20 p.m

The disaster relief centers will open to the public on Tuesday

Julia MustoJanuary 13, 2025 8:18 p.m

N95 masks are available at LA public libraries

Julia MustoJanuary 13, 2025 8:16 p.m

House Speaker Mike Johnson says he believes there should be “conditions” on wildfire relief in California

Julia MustoJanuary 13, 2025 8:13 p.m

Southern California residents distribute supplies as first responders and officials prepare for further weather impacts

A home destroyed by the Eaton fire stands in front of another that survived Monday in Altadena, California. More than 12,000 buildings burned down in the recent fires (AP)

National Guard members block a road on the border of Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades on Monday in Los Angeles, California. Thousands of members are deployed across the region (AFP via Getty Images)

A firefighter takes weather measurements while standing on a burned ridge above the Eaton Fire in California's Angeles National Forest. Meteorologists warned that conditions would deteriorate rapidly by Tuesday — A firefighter takes weather measurements while standing on a burned ridge above the Eaton Fire in California’s Angeles National Forest. Meteorologists warned that conditions would deteriorate rapidly by Tuesday (AP)

Items are laid out at a relief center for people affected by wildfires at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, on Monday. Several centers were open for people to donate and collect supplies (AP)

Julia MustoJanuary 13, 2025 8:12 p.m

Newsom sparked conspiracy theories by suggesting he would launch a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild “LA 2.0.” But what does he mean?

Julia MustoJanuary 13, 2025 7:56 p.m

Bottled water distribution point opens in Pasadena

Julia MustoJanuary 13, 2025 7:55 p.m

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L.A. fires live updates: Death toll rises to 25 as winds return, fears increase over ‘explosive fire growth’