9 hours ago
The day so far
About 88,000 people in Los Angeles county were under evacuation orders on Tuesday, with another 84,800 under evacuation warnings due to wildfires.
Here’s where the fires stand:
Palisades fire: More than 23,700 acres burned, 17% contained.
Eaton fire: 14,117 acres burned, 35% contained.
Hurst fire: 799 acres burned, nearly fully contained at 97%.
Auto fire: Fully contained; no evacuation orders remain in effect.
Southern California residents are bracing for new wildfire warnings and power outages as strong, fire-fueling winds sweep through the region. Some areas could see winds approaching hurricane force on Tuesday, peaking in the morning, easing briefly, and strengthening again later in the day.
Fire crews have been reinforced to tackle flare-ups or new fires. A week after the wildfires began, the flames have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.
Key events 54m ago Nearly 90,000 households without electricity in southern California 3h ago The day so far 4h ago California governor announces 'fast-track' recovery efforts for students and families 7h ago Over 66,000 without power in southern California 7h ago Over 40,000 applications received by FEMA for California fire aid 7h ago Official urges mask use as high winds expected to blow ash from Palisades fire 7h ago Winds still pose 'tremendous threat', LA officials say 7h ago 39 arrests made for burglary, curfew breaches and drone incidents 7h ago Severe fire weather conditions will continue through tomorrow, fire officials say 7h ago Eaton fire remains at 14,000 acres without increase in last two days 8h ago More than 1,850 Guard members involved in firefighting in California 8h ago Pamo fire's forward progress stopped in San Diego county, says officials 11h ago Southern California braced for 'extremely difficult fire conditions' as life threatening winds pick up pace 13h ago Red Flag weather warning issued with significant risk of rapid fire spread and life-threatening winds 13h ago Firefighters 'better prepared' to face threat of fierce new winds, officials say 13h ago Opening summary Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department announced the repopulation of communities impacted by the Eaton Fire effective on Tuesday, January 14, at 3 p.m.
Evacuation orders have been lifted south of Canyon Crest Road and west of Lincoln Avenue in the Altadena region.
The remaining areas of the community are still closed.
The Weather Service said on Tuesday afternoon that “winds are weaker than expected today, but looking for one more enhancement late tonight and Wednesday.”
“Not quite out of the woods yet,” reads a post on X.
Forecast models show that on Wednesday, winds may reach up to 70 m.p.h. in the mountains and 30 to 50 miles per hour in coastal and valley areas.
Nearly 90,000 households without electricity in southern California
Utilities have shut off power to prevent their lines from sparking new blazes in the region.
On Tuesday afternoon, the areas facing the greatest fire risk were inland areas north of Los Angeles, including densely populated Thousand Oaks, Northridge and Simi Valley, home to more than 300,000 people, forecasters said.
A new virtual map by Los Angeles county helps wildfire survivors check the status of their property and see whether their house is still standing.
The map, available on the county’s website, features photos and a color-coded key indicating the level of damage to homes affected by the Eaton fire, according to Kathryn Barger, the county’s board of supervisors chair.
These are the map’s color codes: black for no damage, green for 1–9% affected, yellow for 10–25% affected, orange for 26–50% affected, and red for more than 50% destroyed.
In Santa Monica, the evacuation warning remains unchanged north of San Vicente Boulevard and winds are expected to continue through Wednesday.
Residents may voluntarily return to this area but remain prepared with gathered essentials and be ready to leave the area if conditions worsen, according to the city’s warning.
Santa Monica restaurants and businesses “are open and here for you”, reads a post on X. “We encourage support to our local businesses if you can.”
Hollywood’s awards season has all but come to a rare halt as the wildfires continue to disrupt life and work in the Los Angeles area.
The Hollywood guilds and organizations that put on awards shows are releasing frequent updates as the industry navigates the ongoing crisis. The Oscar nominations have been delayed twice and some guilds have postponed their announcements without setting new dates.
The only major show to push ahead thus far is the Critics’ Choice awards, which will now be held 26 January.
Los Angeles and parts of Ventura county to the north are under “extreme fire risk” warnings through Wednesday.
Officials are warning there is a “significant risk of rapid fire spread” due to the Santa Ana winds, which are gusting up to 75mph, combined with low humidity.
The “particularly dangerous weather situation” designation is used very rarely and was designed by meteorologists to signal “the extreme of the extremes”.
The day so far
About 88,000 people in Los Angeles county were under evacuation orders on Tuesday, with another 84,800 under evacuation warnings due to wildfires.
Here’s where the fires stand:
Palisades fire: More than 23,700 acres burned, 17% contained.
Eaton fire: 14,117 acres burned, 35% contained.
Hurst fire: 799 acres burned, nearly fully contained at 97%.
Auto fire: Fully contained; no evacuation orders remain in effect.
Southern California residents are bracing for new wildfire warnings and power outages as strong, fire-fueling winds sweep through the region. Some areas could see winds approaching hurricane force on Tuesday, peaking in the morning, easing briefly, and strengthening again later in the day.
Fire crews have been reinforced to tackle flare-ups or new fires. A week after the wildfires began, the flames have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.
Sydney Kamlager-Dove, who represents congressional district 37, just east of Lieu’s district, said earlier: “With Angelenos grieving and LA on fire, Speaker Johnson is threatening to condition aid to CA in our time of need.
“Mr. Speaker, the real leaders are in CA addressing this crisis—not making cowardly partisan attacks. Shame on you, Speaker Johnson. We need relief, not politics.”
The devastating wildfires have already become politicized.
Republican Mike Johnson, the newly re-elected speaker of the House, said on Monday “it appears to us that state and local leaders were derelict in their duties”, adding that the aid the state receives should be conditional.
His comments were met with fierce backlash, particularly from those within California.
”It is outrageous for Speaker Johnson to try to condition disaster relief for Californians impacted by the fires,” said US congressman Ted Lieu, who represent’s the state’s 36th district, which includes areas just south of the Palisades fire like Beverly Hills and Santa Monica.
“We shouldn’t leverage the pain & suffering of Americans to try to force through a partisan policy agenda. Mother Nature doesn’t strike based on a person’s politics.”
California governor announces 'fast-track' recovery efforts for students and families
Newsom just announced he also signed an executive order to “fast-track recovery efforts for students & families displaced by LA’s firestorms.”
”We’re cutting red tape to help damaged and destroyed schools quickly set up temporary facilities, ensuring students can return to classrooms as soon as possible.”
California governor Gavin Newsom echoed Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass’s calls for expediting the rebuilding of the city.
“California is working together with @MayorofLA and local governments across SoCal to rebuild from the unprecedented wildfires,” Newsom said on X. “Days ago, the state cut red tape and cleared barriers to fast-track recovery — and LA’s efforts comprehensively build on our work to help Californians.”
Like Bass, Newsom signed his own executive order on Sunday. According to the governor’s website, this order will:
Suspend CEQA review and California Coastal Act permitting for reconstruction of properties substantially damaged or destroyed in recent Southern California wildfires.
Direct state agencies to identify additional permitting requirements, including provisions of the Building Code, that can safely be suspended or streamlined to accelerate rebuilding and make it more affordable.
Extend protections against price gouging on building materials, storage services, construction, and other essential goods and services to January 7, 2026, in Los Angeles County.
Commit to working with the Legislature to identify statutory changes that can help expedite rebuilding while enhancing wildfire resilience and safety.
