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What's the latest on Los Angeles wildfires and how did they start? What's the latest on Los Angeles wildfires and how did they start?
(32 minutes later)
Watch: Headteacher returns to school destroyed in fireWatch: Headteacher returns to school destroyed in fire
At least 24 people have died in the Los Angeles fires as two major blazes continue to burn across the sprawling Californian city.At least 24 people have died in the Los Angeles fires as two major blazes continue to burn across the sprawling Californian city.
Firefighters made progress over the weekend in containing the Palisades and Eaton fires but warn that the return of high winds - forecast until Wednesday - could see them spread again.Firefighters made progress over the weekend in containing the Palisades and Eaton fires but warn that the return of high winds - forecast until Wednesday - could see them spread again.
They are already among the most destructive in LA's history in terms of buildings destroyed.They are already among the most destructive in LA's history in terms of buildings destroyed.
What's the latest?What's the latest?
The largest fire is in the Palisades and it has burnt through more than 23,000 acres. But over the weekend thousands of firefighters made progress in containing about 14% of it.The largest fire is in the Palisades and it has burnt through more than 23,000 acres. But over the weekend thousands of firefighters made progress in containing about 14% of it.
The blaze is moving east, threatening the exclusive neighbourhood of Brentwood, home to the Getty Center, a world-famous art museum that has now evacuated its staff.The blaze is moving east, threatening the exclusive neighbourhood of Brentwood, home to the Getty Center, a world-famous art museum that has now evacuated its staff.
A red flag warning - indicating a high level of fire danger - will be in place until 18:00 (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday, with the strongest Santa Ana winds expected on Tuesday.A red flag warning - indicating a high level of fire danger - will be in place until 18:00 (02:00 GMT) on Wednesday, with the strongest Santa Ana winds expected on Tuesday.
Follow live updatesFollow live updates
What are Santa Ana winds?What are Santa Ana winds?
The other fire, Eaton, is more deadly than Palisades so far - responsible for 16 of the 24 dead, with many more still missing.The other fire, Eaton, is more deadly than Palisades so far - responsible for 16 of the 24 dead, with many more still missing.
The number of people under evacuation orders in LA County has decreased since Saturday, but the destruction is immense.The number of people under evacuation orders in LA County has decreased since Saturday, but the destruction is immense.
More than 12,000 structures - homes, outbuildings, sheds, mobile homes and cars -have been destroyed, including 7,000 in the Eaton fire.More than 12,000 structures - homes, outbuildings, sheds, mobile homes and cars -have been destroyed, including 7,000 in the Eaton fire.
The fires could turn out to be the costliest in US history, with damage projected at up to $150bn, according to a preliminary estimate by AccuWeather.The fires could turn out to be the costliest in US history, with damage projected at up to $150bn, according to a preliminary estimate by AccuWeather.
Celebrities who have lost their homes include Mel Gibson, Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, who attended the Golden Globes last week, and Paris Hilton.Celebrities who have lost their homes include Mel Gibson, Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, who attended the Golden Globes last week, and Paris Hilton.
Tens of thousands of homes are also without power.Tens of thousands of homes are also without power.
Where are the fires?Where are the fires?
There are two active fires in the wider area, while a smaller fire is nearly contained, say California fire officials:There are two active fires in the wider area, while a smaller fire is nearly contained, say California fire officials:
Palisades: The first fire to erupt a week ago and the biggest in the region. It has scorched 23,713 acres as of Monday, including the upmarket Pacific Palisades neighbourhood. It was 14% contained as of MondayPalisades: The first fire to erupt a week ago and the biggest in the region. It has scorched 23,713 acres as of Monday, including the upmarket Pacific Palisades neighbourhood. It was 14% contained as of Monday
Eaton: Affecting the northern part of LA, blazing through areas such as Altadena. It is the second biggest fire in the area, burning more than 14,000 acres. It is 33% containedEaton: Affecting the northern part of LA, blazing through areas such as Altadena. It is the second biggest fire in the area, burning more than 14,000 acres. It is 33% contained
Hurst: Located just north of San Fernando, it began burning last Tuesday night. It has grown to 799 acres, and is almost fully containedHurst: Located just north of San Fernando, it began burning last Tuesday night. It has grown to 799 acres, and is almost fully contained
The earlier Kenneth, Archer, Sunset, Lidia, Woodley and Olivas fires have been contained.The earlier Kenneth, Archer, Sunset, Lidia, Woodley and Olivas fires have been contained.
What does it mean for a fire to be contained?What does it mean for a fire to be contained?
Containment describes the progress firefighters make in controlling the spread of flames.Containment describes the progress firefighters make in controlling the spread of flames.
It's often listed as a percentage - for example the most recent update on the massive Palisades fire has it as 14% contained.It's often listed as a percentage - for example the most recent update on the massive Palisades fire has it as 14% contained.
This means fire crews have established barriers around 14% of the fire's perimeter.This means fire crews have established barriers around 14% of the fire's perimeter.
Natural barriers include roads, rivers and oceans. Firefighters can also create barriers using equipment such as bulldozers, hoses and shovels to remove vegetation down to the bare soil, meaning there is nothing for the fire to burn.Natural barriers include roads, rivers and oceans. Firefighters can also create barriers using equipment such as bulldozers, hoses and shovels to remove vegetation down to the bare soil, meaning there is nothing for the fire to burn.
A fire being 100% contained doesn't mean it has been extinguished, but rather that the flames have been fully encircled and the spread has been effectively stopped.A fire being 100% contained doesn't mean it has been extinguished, but rather that the flames have been fully encircled and the spread has been effectively stopped.
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 some fire crews' hoses ran dry.A political row about the city's preparedness has erupted after it emerged 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 firesFact-checking criticism of California Democrats over fires
Mayor Karen Bass, who was on a previously arranged trip to Ghana when the fires began, has faced intense questions about the region's preparedness and the water issues.Mayor Karen Bass, who was on a previously arranged trip to Ghana when the fires began, has faced intense questions about the region's preparedness 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.
But LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone has denied that his department had been unprepared.But LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone has 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.
What caused the fires?What caused the fires?
LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said detectives are continuing to investigate the possible causes.LA 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.
'I have nothing to go back to' - heartbreak in LA'I have nothing to go back to' - heartbreak in LA
How one street went up in flamesHow one street went up in flames
There has been no official indication so far that arson or utility lines - the next two biggest culprits in sparking fires - caused any of the conflagrations.There has been no official indication so far that arson or utility lines - the next two biggest culprits in sparking fires - caused any of the conflagrations.
However, in the Eaton Fire's case, a law firm filed a complaint on Monday against the electrical company, Southern California Edison Company (SCE), claiming there is "evidence" that the blaze - one of the largest - was ignited due to negligence.However, in the Eaton Fire's case, a law firm filed a complaint on Monday against the electrical company, Southern California Edison Company (SCE), claiming there is "evidence" that the blaze - one of the largest - was ignited due to negligence.
A statement from law firm Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian said it believed the Eaton Fire was ignited because of SCE's "failure to de-energize its overhead wires which traverse Eaton Canyon - despite a red flag PDS wind warning issued by the national weather service the day before the ignition of the fire".A statement from law firm Bridgford, Gleason & Artinian said it believed the Eaton Fire was ignited because of SCE's "failure to de-energize its overhead wires which traverse Eaton Canyon - despite a red flag PDS wind warning issued by the national weather service the day before the ignition of the fire".
The law firm said it bases its claim on its own investigation, discussions with various consultants, the public statements of SCE, and video evidence of the fire's origin.The law firm said it bases its claim on its own investigation, discussions with various consultants, the public statements of SCE, and video evidence of the fire's origin.
The origins of the wildfires are currently under investigation and no cause has been officially determined. The BBC has reached out to SCE for comment. The origins of the wildfires are currently under investigation and no cause has been officially determined.
SCE said in a statement it "understands that a lawsuit related to the Eaton fire has been filed but has not yet been served with a complaint."
Spokeswoman Gabriela Ornelas told the BBC it will review the complaint once received, and added the company "remains committed" to supporting communities affected by the fires.
On Friday, SCE said LA fire authorities were investigating whether its infrastructure was involved in the ignition of the Hurst Fire.On Friday, SCE said LA fire authorities were investigating whether its infrastructure was involved in the ignition of the Hurst Fire.
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 LA 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 LA 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.
Malibu seafront left devastated after wildfiresMalibu 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 changeA simple guide to climate change
Stuck in traffic as flames approached: Why LA is hard to evacuateStuck in traffic as flames approached: Why LA is hard to evacuate
How long will the fires last?How long will the fires last?
No one can say when the Los Angeles fires will finally go out.No one can say when the Los Angeles fires will finally go out.
In the next few days, the city is bracing for continued burning and a possible spread.In the next few days, the city is bracing for continued burning and a possible spread.
The Santa Ana winds that fanned the flames are set to strengthen, with strong gusts on Tuesday, with the severity then decreasing. There are now new red flag warnings for dangerous wind storms.The Santa Ana winds that fanned the flames are set to strengthen, with strong gusts on Tuesday, with the severity then decreasing. There are now new red flag warnings for dangerous wind storms.
The other conditions that fed the fire - dry brush and lack of precipitation - continue, as well.The other conditions that fed the fire - dry brush and lack of precipitation - continue, as well.
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 touchGet in touch
Have you been affected by the fires in California?Have you been affected by the fires in California?
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