LOS ANGELES – Firefighters made significant strides on Friday against the deadly wildfires that have devastated entire communities in coastal Southern California. However, officials warned that strong winds were expected to return, increasing the risk of further destruction as the death toll climbed to 11.

There were five wildfires still burning in Los Angeles County, consuming over 36,000 acres, an area comparable to Miami, reports Cal Fire. The most extensive fire, the Palisades Fire, has become the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles, burning over 20,000 acres and affecting beautiful coastal neighborhoods between Santa Monica and Malibu.

Evacuations due to the Palisades Fire were ongoing on Friday, with residents departing through narrow, winding routes while emergency teams took action in the affected areas, said Cal Fire Battalion Chief David Acuña. Predicting the fire’s path remains a constant struggle, he noted.

“One of the problems we’re facing is the uncertainty of where the fire might be in just 30 minutes,” Acuña told YSL News.

The Eaton Fire near Altadena and Pasadena is only 3% contained and has expanded over 13,600 acres. Additional wildfires have ignited across the county due to strong winds, including the Kenneth Fire, which started Thursday near Woodland Hills and prompted temporary evacuation orders that have since been lifted.

The fires have reduced entire neighborhoods to ashes, destroyed over 12,300 buildings, and led to the evacuation of more than 150,000 residents. The death toll from the two largest fires stands at 11, with six fatalities linked to the Eaton fire and five to the Palisades fire, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner.

On Friday, the conflict against the LA wildfires escalated into an international response, with Mexico and Canada agreeing to send firefighters and resources to aid California. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that Mexican firefighters were headed to the Eaton fire, joining over 10,000 personnel already on the ground. The National Guard and neighboring states have also dispatched help as California confronts rapidly increasing destruction.

In the meantime, the California governor revealed an independent investigation will be launched into water access issues that reportedly hindered firefighting efforts. Newsom’s revelation follows accusations from political figures, including President-elect Donald Trump, who claim that California’s leaders were unprepared for the wildfires.

Additionally, Newsom extended an invitation to Trump to visit California and meet with those impacted by the wildfires.

“Hundreds of thousands of Americans – displaced and anxious about the future – deserve to see us all working for their best interests to ensure a quick recovery and rebuild,” Newsom emphasized in a letter to the incoming president on Friday.

Recent Updates:

◾ WATER ALERTS: Residents in Altadena, Malibu, Pasadena, Pacific Palisades, and parts of the northern San Fernando Valley, including Sylmar, were advised to boil water on Friday, with authorities recommending bottled water usage.

◾ NIGHT CURFEW: Mandatory curfew has been put in place for evacuation zones linked to the Palisades and Eaton wildfires, lasting from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna stated that noncompliance would result in arrest.

◾ FEDERAL ASSISTANCE: President Joe Biden affirmed that the federal government would shoulder the entire cost related to the wildfire response in Southern California for the next 180 days. Additionally, he announced that immediate funding assistance is available and encouraged those affected by the fires to visit disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 for help.

◾ POWER OUTAGES: On Friday evening, more than 175,000 homes and businesses across California were without electricity, according to PowerOutage.us.

◾ SCHOOL CLOSURES: The Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest in the nation, canceled all classes on Friday due to the wildfires and poor air quality. The University of California, Los Angeles, also suspended in-person classes on the same day.

Strong Santa Ana winds expected next week

Forecasts indicate that gusty Santa Ana winds will intermittently affect southern California over the next few days, potentially worsening the deadly wildfires in the area.

The highest gusts are predicted for early next week, especially overnight from Monday to Tuesday, according to meteorologists. As intense as these winds are projected to be, they pose a significant threat to the fire-affected regions.

Next week, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Heather Zehr informed YSL News on Friday that “we are not predicting winds similar to those from earlier this week.”

The strong winds, reaching near 100 mph, contributed to the extreme firestorms that followed.

On Friday evening, a red flag warning in Los Angeles was lifted as the winds decreased to 15 to 25 mph, but the National Weather Service cautioned that the wind speeds would begin to rise again on Saturday.

– Doyle Rice

Governor initiates investigation into water supply issues

On Friday, the governor of California announced an independent investigation concerning water supply problems that may have hindered firefighting efforts during the unprecedented wildfires affecting the Los Angeles area.

Concerns arose about the decline in water pressure in local hydrants and the lack of water from the Santa Ynez Reservoir, which Governor Newsom described as “deeply troubling” in a letter to the leaders of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and Los Angeles County Public Works. He indicated that state water and firefighting officials will conduct an independent assessment of the causes of these malfunctions.

The governor acknowledged that while local fire hydrants are not meant to combat large-scale wildfires, the unexpected loss in expected water supply likely hampered efforts to protect homes and evacuation routes.

“We need to find answers to guarantee this does not happen again so we can use all available resources to battle these devastating fires,” Newsom stated on a post on X.

This announcement by the governor comes amid rising criticism regarding a significant shortage of water during the initial phases of the fires.

President Biden noted on Thursday that local utilities shut down power due to concerns about power lines being “blown down and igniting more fires,” which he stated affected “the capacity to pump water.” California Congresswoman Judy Chu, representing the Los Angeles area impacted by the fires, echoed Biden’s comments in an interview with CNN on Friday.

However, this situation may not be isolated, according to Janisse Quiñones, CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, who addressed the issues on Wednesday. During a news briefing, she stated that by 3 a.m. Wednesday, the city’s three one-million-gallon water storage tanks in the Palisades area “ran dry,” which decreased water flow from hydrants in elevated regions.

“We pushed the system to its limits. For 15 hours straight, we experienced demand four times the normal levels, which critically lowered our water pressure,” Quiñones explained. “It was a worst-case scenario, but we must prepare for such scenarios in the future.”

– Terry Collins

Community members lend support

Chester Griffiths spent Friday morning dragging long hoses alongside his father, continuing efforts to protect their neighbors’ homes in smoke-filled Malibu.

The 24-year-old shared that his family’s home had survived the Palisades fire with minimal damage. Unfortunately, neighboring houses suffered total loss, leaving behind a view of the Pacific Ocean framed by burnt remnants.

The hillside across from their residence on Pacific Coast Highway burned fiercely, leaving only scorched earth and patches of singed bushes. Sparks from the blaze crossed the busy highway, igniting homes on both sides.

“Firefighters did their best, but much of the damage is irreparable. It’s devastating,” Griffiths remarked.

It wasn’t just residences; several businesses, including Willie’s Fish & Tackle, were completely destroyed, with debris marking where they once stood.

– Dave Mason, Ventura County Star

Family sifts through debris: ‘We’ve been in tears for days’

Sarah and Ben Treger rode borrowed electric bikes through their neighborhood, located north of Pacific Palisades city center, checking on addresses listed in a local group chat. Toward the end of their route, they arrived at their own home, which lay in ruins.

With gloved hands, Ben Treger began to sift through the rubble, searching for a box that housed his collection of family watches. The family had evacuated quickly, taking their two young children—6 months and 21 months old—to safety in Santa Monica, where Ben’s parents reside.

The young family is uncertain about where they will stay next. Sarah Treger mentioned she has been trying to secure a nearby Airbnb, but they are getting booked swiftly, causing the website’s calendars to lag. “We’ve been crying for days,” she expressed while observing her husband dig.

Among the debris, Ben unearthed a corner of a watch strap. He pulled it gently, revealing the remains of his grandfather’s 60-year-old watch.

“I bet it still keeps time,” he chuckled, looking at the charred metal remnants of the strap and watch case.

– Isaiah Murtaugh, Ventura County Star

Incorrect evacuation alerts are ‘top priority,’ say LA county officials

Los Angeles County officials have stated they are taking steps to rectify the incorrect evacuation alerts that have caused anxiety and frustration among residents this week.

Kevin McGowan, the director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, issued an apology on Friday for the inaccurate alerts, saying, “I cannot emphasize enough how sorry I am for this experience.”

He mentioned that “all technical specialists are devoted to fixing this problem” and advised the public against disabling alert notifications on their devices.

McGowan highlighted the “life and death” importance of receiving critical alerts.

‘Hazardous’ air quality levels recorded in LA as wildfires persist

In Pasadena, unhealthy and hazardous air quality levels have been reported as wildfires continue to rage across Southern California.

At Jefferson Park in Pasadena, a quality monitor noted an index of 526, which falls into the “hazardous” Code Maroon category, the highest possible rating on the U.S. Air Quality Index. This index includes categories ranging from good to hazardous.

“Under these severe conditions, there is a health advisory indicating an emergency,” stated IQAir. “The health of the entire population is likely to be greatly impacted.”

In Pasadena and San Marino, air quality reached Code Purple levels, meaning it is considered hazardous for everyone, particularly for at-risk groups.

Insurance Commissioner Takes Action Amid LA Wildfires

California’s insurance commissioner has implemented a one-year freeze to stop homeowner insurance companies from cancelling or refusing to renew policies in regions severely affected by the wildfires in Los Angeles.

This moratorium, set by Commissioner Ricardo Lara, is designed to assist those impacted by the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County, as noted on a state website. The department may release “a supplemental bulletin” if more areas require assistance.

“I sympathize with my fellow Angelenos. Our primary goal is to safeguard Californians during this crisis and help us recover,” Lara stated. “I am working diligently to ensure wildfire victims receive their rightful benefits as soon as possible.”

False Evacuation Alert in Beverly Hills

Beverly Hills residents received incorrect evacuation messages that were sent out mistakenly early Friday morning, according to a city announcement.

The false alert from the Los Angeles County Fire Department reached residents around 4 a.m. on Friday, as detailed in a statement from the city’s official X account.

“The County’s Office of Emergency Management confirmed that this was another mistake,” the statement said. “Currently, there are no evacuation orders affecting Beverly Hills.”

Earlier on Thursday, Los Angeles County residents received a countywide evacuation warning that was “mistakenly issued due to a technical glitch,” as stated by county supervisor Janice Hahn in a post on X.

Drone Incident with Firefighting Aircraft

A firefighting aircraft had to be grounded on Thursday after colliding with a drone while addressing the Palisades Fire, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

Erik Scott, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department, reported that the incident took place Thursday afternoon when a Super Scooper plane, known as Quebec 1, was struck by a civilian drone not affiliated with firefighting efforts. “Quebec 1 sustained damage to its wing and is currently grounded,” Scott elaborated on X. “No injuries were reported.”

These “Super Scooper” aircraft can refill by lowering to calm waters of lakes and bays, skimming the surface to fill their tanks, before returning to release water on the blaze and repeating the process as needed.

– Thao Nguyen

Police: Insufficient Cause to Charge Arson Suspect

The Los Angeles Police Department apprehended a potential arson suspect Thursday afternoon near the Kenneth Fire in Woodland Hills, but ultimately lacked sufficient evidence to proceed with charges.

Domnic Choi, assistant chief of the Los Angeles Police Department, stated during a news briefing Friday that residents detained the man, claiming he was “trying to ignite a fire in the neighborhood.”

After interviewing the individual and examining evidence, officers concluded they did not possess probable cause to link the man to any fires. Instead, he was arrested for a felony probation violation.

Choi indicated that the inquiry is ongoing.

President Biden: ‘No Limit on Spending’ for Firefighting

On Thursday, President Biden declared the destructive wildfires in Southern California “a major disaster” and instructed state and local officials to “spare no expense to combat” the fires, asserting that the federal government would fully fund disaster assistance.

Biden announced the prompt availability of funding assistance and encouraged affected individuals to visit disasterassistance.gov or call 1-800-621-3362 for aid.

In a briefing at the White House, Biden mentioned that Governor Gavin Newsom of California had requested increased funding to assist in combating the lethal wildfires that have consumed thousands of acres.

“Given the scale of the disaster, I spoke with the governor about increasing federal support from 75% to 90%,” Biden stated. “We are now increasing it to fully cover 100% of all expenses for both fire management assistance and what is termed disaster declaration.”

“I am announcing that the federal government will cover all costs for a period of 180 days,” Biden continued. “This will include removing debris and hazardous materials, providing temporary housing, funding for first responders’ salaries, and all necessary actions to safeguard lives and property.”

Palisades Fire Evacuees: ‘Everyone is Just Numb’

As some residents of Pacific Palisades temporarily returned home on Thursday, they found many of their houses and belongings reduced to ashes.

Jimmy Dunne, a long-standing resident who raised his children in the area, considered himself fortunate. He walked and hitchhiked back to his neighborhood and then rode his bike from his untouched home to assess the damage.

Many familiar establishments were lost. Two of his children also lost their homes.

“Everyone is just numb at this point,” he told the Ventura County Star, part of the YSL News Network, while standing before the charred ruins of his grocery store, Gelson’s Market. Staff there recognized Dunne, his family, and his dogs by name.

Police escorted some Palisades residents back to their homes for 15 minutes to sift through debris for essential documents and electronics, as reported by local news outlets. Many were seen waiting in line, wearing KN95 masks and ski goggles to protect against the smoke.

– Isaiah Murtaugh, Ventura County Star; Michael Loria, YSL News

Map of LA Wildfires

Ways to Support Fire-Affected Communities

As multiple fast-spreading wildfires continue to pose a threat to communities, various organizations are accepting donations to aid the victims of the fires.

∎ The crowdfunding site GoFundMe has set up a page featuring verified fundraisers aimed at helping individuals impacted by the fires.

∎ The GlobalGiving California Wildfire Relief Fund is currently accepting donations that will be used directly for assisting in wildfire recovery and relief operations throughout the state.

∎ The California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund focuses on providing support to marginalized communities severely affected by the catastrophic fires.

∎ The California Fire Foundation offers support to the firefighters who are fighting the fires, along with assistance to their families and the communities they serve.

− Anthony Robledo