This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyxypryrnko
The article has changed 25 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 23 | Version 24 |
|---|---|
| What's the latest on the Los Angeles wildfires and what caused them? | What's the latest on the Los Angeles wildfires and what caused them? |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Watch: Doorbell camera captures moment Palisades fire burns home | Watch: Doorbell camera captures moment Palisades fire burns home |
| Eleven people are dead and 13 others are reported missing as the two largest wildfires ripping across the Los Angeles area remain mostly uncontained. | Eleven people are dead and 13 others are reported missing as the two largest wildfires ripping across the Los Angeles area remain mostly uncontained. |
| Firefighters are winning the battle against two other wildfires in the nation's second-largest city. | Firefighters are winning the battle against two other wildfires in the nation's second-largest city. |
| Cadaver dogs and search crews are scouring the scorched rubble of neighbourhoods after the most destructive wildfire in the city's history. | Cadaver dogs and search crews are scouring the scorched rubble of neighbourhoods after the most destructive wildfire in the city's history. |
| Residents have been told to stay out of the water on beaches across a swathe of the coastline because of contamination from the fires. | Residents have been told to stay out of the water on beaches across a swathe of the coastline because of contamination from the fires. |
| What's the latest? | What's the latest? |
| The largest fire in the Palisades grew by 1,000 acres overnight, although firefighters made modest progress in increasing containment. | The largest fire in the Palisades grew by 1,000 acres overnight, although firefighters made modest progress in increasing containment. |
| The fire is moving east, threatening the exclusive neighbourhood of Brentwood, home to the Getty Center, a world-famous art museum that has now been evacuated. About 3,700 firefighters are on scene. | The fire is moving east, threatening the exclusive neighbourhood of Brentwood, home to the Getty Center, a world-famous art museum that has now been evacuated. About 3,700 firefighters are on scene. |
| Students at the nearby University of California, Los Angeles are awaiting updates from officials. | Students at the nearby University of California, Los Angeles are awaiting updates from officials. |
| Eight deaths have been confirmed in the Eaton fire and another three in the Palisades fire. Officials say they are investigating reports of another 13 people missing. | Eight deaths have been confirmed in the Eaton fire and another three in the Palisades fire. Officials say they are investigating reports of another 13 people missing. |
| More than 153,000 people are under evacuation orders in Los Angeles county, according to local authorities, as of Saturday. Another 166,000 are under evacuation warnings. | More than 153,000 people are under evacuation orders in Los Angeles county, according to local authorities, as of Saturday. Another 166,000 are under evacuation warnings. |
| More than 12,000 structures have been razed by the fires. By structures, officials mean homes, outbuildings, sheds, mobile homes and cars. | More than 12,000 structures have been razed by the fires. By structures, officials mean homes, outbuildings, sheds, mobile homes and cars. |
| More than 7,000 structures have been destroyed by the Eaton fire. | More than 7,000 structures have been destroyed by the Eaton fire. |
| The Palisades fire has destroyed about 5,300 structures, including at least 426 houses. | The Palisades fire has destroyed about 5,300 structures, including at least 426 houses. |
| Authorities say a curfew that is in place from 18:00 local time (02:00 GMT) to 06:00 within the areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires after reports of looting is being "strictly enforced". | Authorities say a curfew that is in place from 18:00 local time (02:00 GMT) to 06:00 within the areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires after reports of looting is being "strictly enforced". |
| There have been 22 arrests - 19 in the Eaton fire area and three in the Palisades fire zone. Two arrests were for curfew violations and these individuals were taken into custody. | There have been 22 arrests - 19 in the Eaton fire area and three in the Palisades fire zone. Two arrests were for curfew violations and these individuals were taken into custody. |
| The others were held on suspicion of burglary, looting, ID theft, possession of narcotics. One individual was on parole and in possession of a concealed firearm. | The others were held on suspicion of burglary, looting, ID theft, possession of narcotics. One individual was on parole and in possession of a concealed firearm. |
| About 400 National Guard members are deployed around the region helping with road closures and critical infrastructure missions, say officials. | About 400 National Guard members are deployed around the region helping with road closures and critical infrastructure missions, say officials. |
| The fires could turn out to be the costliest in US history, potentially wreaking between $135bn and $150bm, according to a preliminary estimate by AccuWeather. | The fires could turn out to be the costliest in US history, potentially wreaking between $135bn and $150bm, according to a preliminary estimate by AccuWeather. |
| Insured losses are expected to be above $8bn (£6.5bn) because of the high value of the properties damaged. | Insured losses are expected to be above $8bn (£6.5bn) because of the high value of the properties damaged. |
| Celebrities who have lost their homes include Mel Gibson, Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, who attended the Golden Globes just days ago, and Paris Hilton. | Celebrities who have lost their homes include Mel Gibson, Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, who attended the Golden Globes just days ago, and Paris Hilton. |
| Follow live updates as fierce winds threaten more fire destruction | Follow live updates as fierce winds threaten more fire destruction |
| Watch: Man films escape from fires with elderly father-in-law | Watch: Man films escape from fires with elderly father-in-law |
| What's the latest on the LA fires, and why can't they be put out? | What's the latest on the LA fires, and why can't they be put out? |
| Maps and images reveal scale of wildfire devastation | Maps and images reveal scale of wildfire devastation |
| Where are the fires? | Where are the fires? |
| There are four fires raging in the wider area, according to California fire officials: | There are four fires raging in the wider area, according to California fire officials: |
| Palisades: The first fire to erupt on Tuesday and the biggest in the region, which could become the most destructive fire in state history. It has scorched more than 22,660 acres, including the upmarket Pacific Palisades neighbourhood. It was 11% contained as of midday Saturday | Palisades: The first fire to erupt on Tuesday and the biggest in the region, which could become the most destructive fire in state history. It has scorched more than 22,660 acres, including the upmarket Pacific Palisades neighbourhood. It was 11% contained as of midday Saturday |
| Eaton: It has struck the northern part of Los Angeles, blazing through areas such as Altadena. It is the second biggest fire in the area, burning nearly 14,000 acres. It is 15% contained | |
| Hurst: Located just north of San Fernando, it began burning on Tuesday night and has grown to 799 acres, and is 76% contained | Hurst: Located just north of San Fernando, it began burning on Tuesday night and has grown to 799 acres, and is 76% contained |
| Kenneth: This fire broke out on Thursday on the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. It so far covers more than 1,052 acres. Authorities say its progress has been stopped and it has been 80% contained, with no structures damaged or destroyed | Kenneth: This fire broke out on Thursday on the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. It so far covers more than 1,052 acres. Authorities say its progress has been stopped and it has been 80% contained, with no structures damaged or destroyed |
| The earlier Archer, Sunset, Lidia, Woodley and Olivas fires have been contained. | The earlier Archer, Sunset, Lidia, Woodley and Olivas fires have been contained. |
| Was LA prepared for the fires? | Was LA prepared for the fires? |
| A political row about the city's preparedness has erupted after it emerged that some fire crews' hoses ran dry. | A political row about the city's preparedness has erupted after it emerged that some fire crews' hoses ran dry. |
| California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an independent investigation into the loss of water pressure to hydrants and why the Santa Ynez Reservoir was closed for maintenance and empty when the fire broke out. | California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an independent investigation into the loss of water pressure to hydrants and why the Santa Ynez Reservoir was closed for maintenance and empty when the fire broke out. |
| "Losing supplies from fire hydrants likely impaired the effort to protect some homes and evacuation corridors," he wrote. | "Losing supplies from fire hydrants likely impaired the effort to protect some homes and evacuation corridors," he wrote. |
| Fact-checking criticism of California Democrats over fires | Fact-checking criticism of California Democrats over fires |
| Mayor Karen Bass returned to the city from a previously arranged trip to Ghana to find it on fire. She has faced intense questions about the region's preparedness, her leadership in this crisis, and the water issues. | Mayor Karen Bass returned to the city from a previously arranged trip to Ghana to find it on fire. She has faced intense questions about the region's preparedness, her leadership in this crisis, and the water issues. |
| On Saturday, she deflected questions about her handling of the emergency, telling a news conference: "Right now, our first and most important obligation to Angelenos is to get through this crisis." | On Saturday, she deflected questions about her handling of the emergency, telling a news conference: "Right now, our first and most important obligation to Angelenos is to get through this crisis." |
| Before the fires broke out, the city of LA's fire chief warned in a memo that budget cuts were hampering the department's ability to respond to emergencies. | Before the fires broke out, the city of LA's fire chief warned in a memo that budget cuts were hampering the department's ability to respond to emergencies. |
| Also on Saturday, LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone separately denied that his department had been unprepared. | Also on Saturday, LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone separately denied that his department had been unprepared. |
| "I did everything in my power to make sure that we had enough personnel and resources before the first fire started," he said. | "I did everything in my power to make sure that we had enough personnel and resources before the first fire started," he said. |
| "It wasn't for a lack of preparation or decision-making that resulted in this catastrophe. It was a natural disaster," Marrone added. | "It wasn't for a lack of preparation or decision-making that resulted in this catastrophe. It was a natural disaster," Marrone added. |
| Dismay over the fire threat was worsened by alerts mistakenly sent to every mobile phone in Los Angeles on Thursday, residents say, prompting anger from some. About 10 million people live in the county. | Dismay over the fire threat was worsened by alerts mistakenly sent to every mobile phone in Los Angeles on Thursday, residents say, prompting anger from some. About 10 million people live in the county. |
| During a news conference on Saturday morning, city authorities blamed a software glitch, which they said was "frustrating, unacceptable". They said they were changing their alerts system to partner with the California state emergency notification system. | During a news conference on Saturday morning, city authorities blamed a software glitch, which they said was "frustrating, unacceptable". They said they were changing their alerts system to partner with the California state emergency notification system. |
| What caused the fires? | What caused the fires? |
| Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said detectives are continuing to investigate the possible causes. | Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said detectives are continuing to investigate the possible causes. |
| "Everything is absolutely on the table," he said. | "Everything is absolutely on the table," he said. |
| Lightning - the most common source of fires in the US - has been ruled out as a cause for the Palisades and Eaton fires. | Lightning - the most common source of fires in the US - has been ruled out as a cause for the Palisades and Eaton fires. |
| Nor has there been any official indication so far that arson or utility lines - the next two biggest culprits in sparking fires - caused any of the conflagrations. | Nor has there been any official indication so far that arson or utility lines - the next two biggest culprits in sparking fires - caused any of the conflagrations. |
| California's very wet years of 2022-23 brought about a huge growth of vegetation, which dried out in the drought of last year, creating abundant kindling. | California's very wet years of 2022-23 brought about a huge growth of vegetation, which dried out in the drought of last year, creating abundant kindling. |
| A combination of an exceptionally dry period - downtown Los Angeles has only received 0.16 inches (0.4cm) of rain since October - and powerful offshore gusts known as the Santa Ana winds have also created ripe conditions for wildfires. | A combination of an exceptionally dry period - downtown Los Angeles has only received 0.16 inches (0.4cm) of rain since October - and powerful offshore gusts known as the Santa Ana winds have also created ripe conditions for wildfires. |
| BBC weather forecaster Sarah Keith-Lucas says there is no rain forecast in the area for at least the next week. | BBC weather forecaster Sarah Keith-Lucas says there is no rain forecast in the area for at least the next week. |
| Although winds were expected to ease slightly later Friday into Saturday, forecasters warned that they would pick up again on Sunday into Monday. | Although winds were expected to ease slightly later Friday into Saturday, forecasters warned that they would pick up again on Sunday into Monday. |
| 'Where do I go?' Chaos as people flee flames | 'Where do I go?' Chaos as people flee flames |
| What are the Santa Ana winds? | What are the Santa Ana winds? |
| Before and after: How wildfires tore through LA | Before and after: How wildfires tore through LA |
| Malibu seafront left devastated after wildfires | Malibu seafront left devastated after wildfires |
| What role has climate change played? | What role has climate change played? |
| Although strong winds and lack of rain are driving the blazes, experts say climate change is altering the background conditions and increasing the likelihood of such fires. | Although strong winds and lack of rain are driving the blazes, experts say climate change is altering the background conditions and increasing the likelihood of such fires. |
| Much of the western United States including California experienced a decades-long drought that ended just two years ago, making the region vulnerable. | Much of the western United States including California experienced a decades-long drought that ended just two years ago, making the region vulnerable. |
| "Whiplash" swings between dry and wet periods in recent years created a massive amount of tinder-dry vegetation that was ready to burn. | "Whiplash" swings between dry and wet periods in recent years created a massive amount of tinder-dry vegetation that was ready to burn. |
| US government research is unequivocal in linking climate change to larger and more severe wildfires in the western US. | US government research is unequivocal in linking climate change to larger and more severe wildfires in the western US. |
| "Climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says. | "Climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says. |
| Fire season in southern California is generally thought to stretch from May to October - but the governor has pointed out earlier that blazes had become a perennial issue. "There's no fire season," he said. "It's fire year." | Fire season in southern California is generally thought to stretch from May to October - but the governor has pointed out earlier that blazes had become a perennial issue. "There's no fire season," he said. "It's fire year." |
| A simple guide to climate change | A simple guide to climate change |
| Stuck in traffic as flames approached: Why LA is hard to evacuate | Stuck in traffic as flames approached: Why LA is hard to evacuate |
| Have you been affected by the fires in California? Get in touch here. | Have you been affected by the fires in California? Get in touch here. |
| Get in touch | Get in touch |
| Have you been affected by the fires in California? | Have you been affected by the fires in California? |
| Sign up for our Future Earth newsletter to get exclusive insight on the latest climate and environment news from the BBC's Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt, delivered to your inbox every week. Outside the UK? Sign up to our international newsletter here. | Sign up for our Future Earth newsletter to get exclusive insight on the latest climate and environment news from the BBC's Climate Editor Justin Rowlatt, delivered to your inbox every week. Outside the UK? Sign up to our international newsletter here. |