What is the status of the wildfires affecting the Los Angeles region?
Several wind-driven fires are raging across large areas of Los Angeles, forcing residents to evacuate as firefighters struggle to bring them under control. As of Thursday, five significant wildfires were posing threats to lives and properties.
The two most severe fires—the Palisades and Eaton fires—had not been contained at all since they began on Tuesday, and new fires continued to emerge throughout the county. Strong winds and low humidity contributed to the rapid spread of flames, incinerating homes, businesses, and landscapes.
Weather experts predicted that Santa Ana winds and a high fire risk would persist on Thursday, creating additional challenges for firefighting efforts.
This report outlines the area affected by each wildfire and the current containment efforts:
Palisades Fire
The Palisades Fire has ravaged sections of the coastal Pacific Palisades area between Santa Monica and Malibu, burning over 17,000 acres by Thursday morning and is currently 0% contained, as per CalFire reports.
Eaton Fire
Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire has engulfed approximately 10,600 acres in the San Gabriel Mountains foothills and is also 0% contained as of Thursday morning. This fire has obliterated entire neighborhoods in Altadena and Pasadena and has resulted in at least five fatalities.
Hurst Fire
The Hurst Fire ignited on Tuesday night near the Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in the Sylmar area of Los Angeles. By Thursday morning, it had scorched 855 acres and was reported to be 10% contained, according to CalFire.
“Firefighters have successfully contained the blaze north of the I-210 Foothill Freeway,” stated the fire agency.
Lidia Fire
The Lidia Fire, which began on Wednesday in Acton near Antelope Valley in northern Los Angeles County, has burned 348 acres and boasts 40% containment as of Thursday morning.
“The spread of this brush fire has been halted. Firefighters are diligently working to improve containment,” CalFire noted in a status update.
Sunset Fire
The Sunset Fire erupted in the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday evening, burning between 60 and 100 acres, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department West Hollywood Station. CalFire also reported it as 0% contained.
Some evacuation orders have been lifted, with exceptions for areas adjacent to the active fire in Hollywood.
Later that night, officials indicated that fire activity had diminished and was “primarily within the controlled perimeter (developed by the Los Angeles Fire Department),” according to the report.
Woodley Fire
The Woodley Fire, detected early Wednesday morning in the Sepulveda Basin northwest of Los Angeles, was fully contained by later that night, as reported by officials in a Thursday news conference. It burned a total of 30 acres.
“The fire has been designated a knock-down, and there are currently no threats present,” announced Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin M. Crowley.