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 9 Version 10
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 5 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 10 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 10 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 thousands 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. Firefighters are still battling to control the blazes that are causing widespread devastation in Los Angeles.
Authorities say at least 10 people have died and their remains are still being identified. Ten people are confirmed dead, but the death toll is expected to rise.
Earlier on Thursday, officials confirmed the first two deaths from the Pacific Palisades fire, although they said the death toll from the Eaton fire was three, not five, as they had stated a day earlier. In LA county, some 179,000 people are under evacuation orders - many of them fleeing their homes with just the belongings they could carry.
Looting and theft has risen in some evacuated neighbourhoods, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said, leading to 20 arrests. Another 200,000 residents are under evacuation warning, meaning they could be required to leave their homes soon.
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. More than 10,000 structures have been razed by the fires, which are the most destructive in the history of LA. A further 60,000 buildings are also at risk. Insured losses are expected to be above $8bn (£6.5bn) because of the high value of properties in the paths of the blazes.
The cause of the other blazes is so far unknown and still under investigation. A man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a new blaze on Thursday. National Guard troops have been deployed in some areas of the city to prevent looting in evacuated areas and there have been 20 arrests, according to police.
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. Celebrities who have lost their homes include Leighton Meester and Adam Brody, who attended the Golden Globes just days ago, actor James Woods and Paris Hilton.
Among 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.
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.
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, 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.
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.
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 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 nearly 20,000 acres, including the upscale Pacific Palisades neighbourhood. It was 6% contained on Thursday nightPalisades: 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. It is 0% containedEaton: 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 are beginning to contain itHurst: 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 nearly 1,000 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.
The earlier Sunset, Woodley and Olivas fires have been contained.The earlier Sunset, Woodley and Olivas fires have been contained.
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 news 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 had been resolved, he said.
He attributed the issue to multiple fire engines drawing water at the same time, as well as a loss of power lowering pressure.
Mayor Karen Bass returned to the city from a previously arranged trip to Africa to find it on fire. She faced intense questions about the region's preparedness, her leadership in this crisis and the water issues that faced firefighters.
And before the fires broke out, LA's fire chief warned in a memo that budget cuts were hampering the department's ability to respond to emergencies, external, the BBC's US partner CBS News reports.
An alert was mistakenly sent to every mobile phone in Los Angeles on Thursday, residents say, prompting anger from some residents. About 10 million people live in the county.
What caused the fires?
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 created ripe conditions for wildfires.
Santa Ana winds flow east to west through southern California's mountains, according to the National Weather Service, external.
The winds can also be responsible for the scale of destruction that follows.
Blowing across the deserts further inland, they create conditions where humidity drops, which dries out vegetation. If a fire does start, the winds can fan smouldering embers into an inferno in minutes.
Speeds of 60 to 80mph (95-130km/h) are common, but gusts of up to 100mph (160km/h) can occur.
Although the strongest wind gusts have passed through the region, forecasters have warned another "traditional Santa Ana wind event" will move in on Thursday night local time, according to CBS News, external.
Investigations into the cause of the fire are just beginning, but California fire chief David Acuna told the BBC there was a lack of "any conclusive evidence" that the fires were deliberately lit.
"Now that the life safety is primarily taken care of, and that we have sufficient resources to assist with that, now they're able to start digging into the investigation and see what they can discover," he told the Radio 4 Today programme.
However, power lines and other utility equipment have sparked some of the most destructive wildfires in California's history. In 2018, the so-called Camp Fire destroyed the town of Paradise and killed 85 people, many of whom died in their cars trying to flee.
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, so conditions remain ripe for fire.
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
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. 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.
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.
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.
How 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?
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.