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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 4 hours later)
Watch: Doorbell camera captures moment Palisades fire burns homeWatch: Doorbell camera captures moment Palisades fire burns home
Out-of-control wildfires are ripping across parts of Los Angeles, leading to at least five deaths, burning down hundreds of buildings, and prompting evacuation orders for nearly 180,000 residents across the county.Out-of-control wildfires are ripping across parts of Los Angeles, leading to at least five deaths, burning down hundreds of buildings, and prompting evacuation orders for nearly 180,000 residents across the county.
Despite the efforts of firefighters, the biggest blazes remain totally uncontained - with weather conditions and the underlying impact of climate change expected to continue fanning the flames for days to come.Despite the efforts of firefighters, the biggest blazes remain totally uncontained - with weather conditions and the underlying impact of climate change expected to continue fanning the flames for days to come.
What's the latest?What's the latest?
In Los Angeles County, some 179,000 residents are under evacuation orders - many of them leaving their homes simply carrying whatever belongings they can. Another 200,000 residents are under evacuation warning, meaning they could be required to leave their homes soon.In Los Angeles County, some 179,000 residents are under evacuation orders - many of them leaving their homes simply carrying whatever belongings they can. Another 200,000 residents are under evacuation warning, meaning they could be required to leave their homes soon.
Police say at least five people have died, with their bodies found near the Eaton fire - but their cause of death is not yet known. On Thursday, officials confirmed the first two deaths from the Pacific Palisades fire, though they said the death toll from the Eaton fire was three, not five, as they stated a day earlier.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said he expected the death toll to rise, adding that a more thorough investigation needs to be done in the affected areas which, he said, "look like a bomb was dropped in them". Looting and theft has risen in some evacuated neighbourhoods, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said, leading to 20 arrests.
Looting and theft has risen in some evacuated neighbourhoods, Sheriff Luna said, leading to 20 arrests. A new blaze, the Kenneth fire, erupted on Thursday in the West Hills area of the city. Police quickly detained a man on suspicion of arson in relation to that fire.
Like the even larger Palisades fire, the Eaton fire remains totally uncontained. The cause of the other blazes is so far unknown and still under investigation.
Meanwhile, the Sunset fire that has been menacing the well-known Hollywood Hills area has started to shrink but is not yet contained. Evacuation orders for the Hollywood Hills West area have been lifted. Some 5,300 structures have been destroyed in the Pacific Palisades fire, which is the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles, and another 5,000 structures have been razed in the Eaton fire just outside the city.
Over 5,300 structures may have been destroyed - including houses and schools, and businesses on the iconic Sunset Boulevard. A fire ecologist has told the BBC that "entire neighbourhoods... have been wiped out". Among celebrities who have lost their homes are Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, who attended the Golden Globes just days ago, and Paris Hilton.
Among the celebrities who have lost their homes are Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, who attended the Golden Globes just days ago, and Paris Hilton.
The insurance industry fears this could prove to be one of the costliest wildfire outbreaks in US history, with insured losses expected above $8bn (£6.5bn) due to the high value of properties in the paths of the blazes.The insurance industry fears this could prove to be one of the costliest wildfire outbreaks in US history, with insured losses expected above $8bn (£6.5bn) due to the high value of properties in the paths of the blazes.
There is a glimmer of hope for firefighters, as the fire weather outlook for southern California has been downgraded from "extremely critical" to "critical".There is a glimmer of hope for firefighters, as the fire weather outlook for southern California has been downgraded from "extremely critical" to "critical".
But BBC weather forecaster Sarah Keith-Lucas says there is no rain forecast in the area for at least the next week, meaning conditions remain ripe for fire.But BBC weather forecaster Sarah Keith-Lucas says there is no rain forecast in the area for at least the next week, meaning conditions remain ripe for fire.
Power has been cut to swathes of the city, and traffic jams have built up. Adding to the disruption, a number of schools and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have been forced to close.Power has been cut to swathes of the city, and traffic jams have built up. Adding to the disruption, a number of schools and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have been forced to close.
A political row about the city's preparedness has erupted after it emerged that some firefighters' hoses ran dry - an issue seized upon by US President-elect Donald Trump. A political row about the city's preparedness has erupted after it emerged that some firefighters' hoses ran dry, provoking criticism from US President-elect Donald Trump.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said during a Thursday afternoon press conference that he had not received reports that firefighters ran out of water or experienced low water pressures.Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said during a Thursday afternoon press conference that he had not received reports that firefighters ran out of water or experienced low water pressures.
But in neighbouring Pasadena, Fire Chief Chad Augustin said the area experienced a short period of time where pressure was low on a small amount of hydrants. All issues have been resolved, he said. But in neighbouring Pasadena, Fire Chief Chad Augustin said the area experienced a short period of time where pressure was low on a small amount of hydrants. All issues had been resolved, he said.
He attributed the issue to multiple fire engines pulling water at the same time as well as a loss of power lowering pressure.He attributed the issue to multiple fire engines pulling water at the same time as well as a loss of power lowering pressure.
Follow live updatesFollow live updates
'Where do I go?' Chaos as people flee flames'Where do I go?' Chaos as people flee flames
In pictures: Dramatic scenes from west LAIn pictures: Dramatic scenes from west LA
The celebrities who have lost their homesThe celebrities who have lost their homes
Where are the fires?Where are the fires?
There are at least five fires raging in the wider area, according to California fire officials on Thursday:There are at least five fires raging in the wider area, according to California fire officials on Thursday:
Palisades: The first fire to erupt on Tuesday and the biggest fire in the region, which could become the most destructive fire in state history. It has scorched a sizable part of land, covering more than 17,000 acres, including the upscale Pacific Palisades neighbourhood Palisades: The first fire to erupt on Tuesday and the biggest fire in the region, which could become the most destructive fire in state history. It has scorched a sizable part of land, covering nearly 20,000 acres, including the upscale Pacific Palisades neighbourhood. It was 6% contained on Thursday night
Eaton: It has struck the northern part of Los Angeles, blazing through cities such as Altadena. It's the second biggest fire in the area, burning nearly 14,000 acres Eaton: It has struck the northern part of Los Angeles, blazing through cities such as Altadena. It's the second biggest fire in the area, burning nearly 14,000 acres. It is 0% contained
Hurst: Located just north of San Fernando, it began burning on Tuesday night and has grown to 670 acres, though firefighters have had some limited success in containing it Hurst: Located just north of San Fernando, it began burning on Tuesday night and has grown to 670 acres, though firefighters are beginning to contain it
Lidia: It broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the mountainous Acton area north of Los Angeles and grew to cover almost 350 acres. Authorities say it has been 60% containedLidia: It broke out on Wednesday afternoon in the mountainous Acton area north of Los Angeles and grew to cover almost 350 acres. Authorities say it has been 60% contained
Kenneth: This new fire broke out on Thursday on the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. It so far covers 50 acres. Kenneth: This new fire broke out on Thursday on the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties. It so far covers nearly 1,000 acres.
Sunset: It broke out Wednesday evening in Hollywood Hills, growing to about 20 acres in less than an hour. It has now been contained The earlier Sunset, Woodley and Olivas fires have been contained.
The earlier Woodley and Olivas fires have also been contained.
In maps: Thousands of acres on fireIn maps: Thousands of acres on fire
Watch: Fires reach Hollywood, with fears for iconic signWatch: Fires reach Hollywood, with fears for iconic sign
How did the LA fires start?
Officials have pointed to high winds and drought in the area, which has made vegetation very dry and easy to burn.
For the moment, officials have said the cause of the fires remains unknown and continues to be under investigation.
Some 95% of wildfires in the area are started by humans, according to David Acuna, a battalion chief at the Californian Fire Service, although officials are yet to state how they think the current fires started.
An important factor that has been cited in the spread of the blazes is the Santa Ana winds, which blow from inland towards the coast. With speeds of more than 60mph (97 km/h), these are believed to have fanned the flames.
What are the Santa Ana winds?What are the Santa Ana winds?
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.
US government research is unequivocal in linking climate change to larger and more severe wildfires in the western United States.US government research is unequivocal in linking climate change to larger and more severe wildfires in the western United States.
"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.
And following a very warm summer and lack of rain in recent months, California is particularly vulnerable.And following a very warm summer and lack of rain in recent months, California is particularly vulnerable.
Fire season in southern California is generally thought to stretch from May to October - but the state's governor, Gavin Newsom, 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 state's governor, Gavin Newsom, has pointed out earlier that blazes had become a perennial issue. "There's no fire season," he said. "It's fire year."
Speaking to the BBC, Mr Acuna said the Palisades Fire represented only the third occasion in the past 30 years that a major fire had broken out in January.Speaking to the BBC, Mr Acuna said the Palisades Fire represented only the third occasion in the past 30 years that a major fire had broken out in January.
How climate change is stoking the firesHow climate change is stoking the fires
A simple guide to climate changeA simple guide to climate change
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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