12,000 structures destroyed, 11 dead, thousands displaced in devastating LA blaze
According to the LA County medical examiner's office, at least 11 fatalities have been confirmed, with five victims from the Palisades Fire along the coast and six from the Eaton Fire inland
Wildfires raging across the Los Angeles area have obliterated approximately 12,000 buildings, claiming at least 11 lives, displacing thousands, and spreading over an area larger than San Francisco.
The fires began on Tuesday, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, which weakened on Thursday, though forecasters caution that the winds could pick up again later this weekend. City and county officials reported on Friday that the fires in the Palisades were 8% contained, while the Altadena fire was just 3% contained.
According to the LA County medical examiner's office, at least 11 fatalities have been confirmed, with five victims from the Palisades Fire along the coast and six from the Eaton Fire inland.
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While the exact financial impact is still unknown, private firm AccuWeather has estimated the damages at $135 billion to $150 billion, though government officials have not yet provided an official estimate.
Key details of the fires
Historic destruction in neighborhoods
More than 5,300 buildings have been damaged or destroyed in Pacific Palisades, a coastal neighborhood, making it the most devastating fire in Los Angeles history. Several blocks were completely reduced to charred rubble, with only home foundations and chimneys left standing. Among the affected were celebrities like Jamie Lee Curtis and Billy Crystal.
This destruction surpasses the Sayre Fire of November 2008, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, according to the Wildfire Alliance.
Further inland, the Eaton Fire in Altadena has burned over 7,000 structures, including homes, businesses, and vehicles, and has damaged five school campuses. The fire has scorched more than 21 square miles (54 square kilometers).
A newer fire, the Kenneth Fire, was 50% contained as of Friday, a day after evacuation orders were issued. It ignited near West Hills, a densely populated San Fernando Valley neighborhood.
Flames that threatened the Hollywood Hills on Wednesday evening are now under control, and evacuation orders were lifted by Thursday morning.
In total, the fires have consumed about 56 square miles (142 square kilometers), an area larger than San Francisco.
Damage to houses of worship
The wildfires have destroyed several religious institutions, including a mosque, a synagogue, a Catholic church, and multiple Protestant churches.
At the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, only sacred Torah scrolls remain after the fire. Cantor Ruth Berman Harris and others rushed to save them as the fire closed in.
The Masjid Al-Taqwa mosque, originally an African American place of worship, was also burned. The church buildings include the Altadena Community Church, famous for its stained glass windows and popular choir, as well as Altadena United Methodist Church and St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
In Pacific Palisades, Corpus Christi Catholic Church and Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church were destroyed.
National guard deployed for property protection
California National Guard troops were deployed to Altadena early on Friday to safeguard property in evacuation zones. At least 20 people have been arrested for looting, and officials have vowed to prosecute those exploiting the crisis.
"This is simply unacceptable," said Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. "You will be held accountable."
National Guard personnel will also be dispatched to manage traffic in the Palisades Fire area.
Evacuations and displacement
Over 150,000 people were under evacuation orders as of Friday. The fires have threatened densely populated, wealthy neighborhoods, including Calabasas and Santa Monica, where many of California's rich and famous reside. Hollywood stars such as Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore, and James Woods were among those forced to evacuate. Moore later confirmed that her home in Altadena was destroyed.
Air quality crisis
A thick cloud of smoke has blanketed Southern California, triggering air quality warnings for 17 million people, according to the South Coast Air Quality Management District. In East Los Angeles, the air quality index hit 173, a level considered unhealthy.
Dr. Puneet Gupta, Assistant Medical Director for the LA County Fire Department, warned that wildfire smoke can trigger heart attacks and worsen asthma, while burning homes can release harmful chemicals like cyanide and carbon dioxide.
Event cancellations and postponements
Several events have been canceled or rescheduled. The Critics Choice Awards, originally set for Sunday in Santa Monica, will now take place on January 26. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences extended the voting window for Oscar nominations and delayed the announcement of nominees. Film studios canceled two premieres, and Universal Studios halted production on several series. Disneyland, farther from the fires, remained open, while Universal Studios Hollywood closed for the day.
Schools across the Los Angeles Unified School District were closed on Friday. The NFL relocated the Los Angeles Rams' playoff game to Arizona, and the NBA postponed a Lakers game against the Hornets.
Power and water disruptions
More than 175,000 people were without power in Southern California, with nearly half of the outages in Los Angeles County, according to PowerOutage.us. Water, sewer, and power infrastructure in the region have been severely damaged.
