Firefighters watching for hotspots from California's deadly wildfires
When the historic wildfires ignited, crews from across the U.S. and around the world descended upon the region to begin their relentless around-the-clock fight against the flames to keep them from advancing further into communities that were left devastated.
Concerns are growing in Southern California as the region remains under a critical fire threat due to dry conditions, low relative humidity and strong Santa Ana winds that have allowed deadly wildfires to continue in the Los Angeles area. FOX News Correspondent Connor Hansen was in Pacific Palisades on Wednesday morning with the latest on recovery efforts.
LOS ANGELES – It’s been a week since Southern California became a deadly inferno after several massive and destructive wildfires broke out in the Los Angeles area, sending tens of thousands of residents fleeing for safety as flames destroyed countless homes and businesses.
When the historic wildfires ignited, crews from across the U.S. and around the world descended upon the region to begin their relentless around-the-clock fight against the flames to keep them from advancing further into communities that were left devastated.
This photo from Jan. 15 shows a church that was destroyed in Pasadena as wildfires raged across the Los Angeles area.
(Brandy Campbell)
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This photo from Jan. 15 shows a church that was destroyed in Pasadena as wildfires raged across the Los Angeles area.
(Brandy Campbell)
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This photo from Jan. 15 shows a church that was destroyed in Pasadena as wildfires raged across the Los Angeles area.
(Brandy Campbell)
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This photo from Jan. 15 shows a church that was destroyed in Pasadena as wildfires raged across the Los Angeles area.
(Brandy Campbell)
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This photo from Jan. 15 shows a church that was destroyed in Pasadena as wildfires raged across the Los Angeles area.
(Brandy Campbell)
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This photo from Jan. 15 shows a church that was destroyed in Pasadena as wildfires raged across the Los Angeles area.
(Brandy Campbell)
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This photo from Jan. 15 shows a church that was destroyed in Pasadena as wildfires raged across the Los Angeles area.
(Brandy Campbell)
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This photo from Jan. 15 shows a church that was destroyed in Pasadena as wildfires raged across the Los Angeles area.
(Brandy Campbell)
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This photo from Jan. 15 shows a church that was destroyed in Pasadena as wildfires raged across the Los Angeles area.
(Brandy Campbell)
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This photo from Jan. 15 shows a church that was destroyed in Pasadena as wildfires raged across the Los Angeles area.
(Brandy Campbell)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 14: Firefighters from the Ventana Hotshots hike during the Eaton Fire above Altadena as wildfires cause damage and loss through LA region on January 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved by fire crews. (Photo by Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images)
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PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 14: Lisa Price reacts while visiting her home destroyed by the Palisades wildfire for the first time since they were evacuated on January 14, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades, California. The family has lived in their home for over 20 years. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds continue to burn across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved. According to reports, 24 people have died with over 180,000 people under evacuation order or warning. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged, while more than 35,000 acres have burned. (Photo by Alexi Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
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A cadaver dog an firefighters with the California Task Force 3 Urban Search and Rescue comb through the ruins of a beachfront house where victims of the Los Angeles fires are reportedly buried, in Malibu, California, on January 14, 2025. Powerful winds on January 14 threatened to rekindle and whip up major fires that have devastated parts of Los Angeles, killing at last 24 people and changing the face of America's second biggest city -- perhaps forever. (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP) (Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP via Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 14: Firefighters work clearing up a hot spot during the Eaton Fire above Altadena as wildfires cause damage and loss through LA region on January 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved by fire crews. (Photo by Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images)
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ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 14: A search and rescue member and police officer work in residential damage from the Eaton Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through LA region on January 14, 2025 in Altadena, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved by fire crews. (Photo by Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images)
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ALTADENA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 14: Firefighters from the Ventana Hotshots stand along a ridge during the Eaton Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through LA region on January 14, 2025 in Altadena, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved by fire crews. (Photo by Benjamin Fanjoy/Getty Images)
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PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: An aerial view of homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds continue to burn across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved. According to reports, 24 people have died with over 180,000 people under evacuation order or warning. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged, while more than 35,000 acres have burned. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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MALIBU, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: An aerial view of utility vehicles parked near beachfront homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Malibu, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds continue to burn across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved. According to reports, 24 people have died with over 180,000 people under evacuation order or warning. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged, while more than 35,000 acres have burned. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: An aerial view of homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds continue to burn across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved. According to reports, 24 people have died with over 180,000 people under evacuation order or warning. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged, while more than 35,000 acres have burned. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: An aerial view of homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds continue to burn across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved. According to reports, 24 people have died with over 180,000 people under evacuation order or warning. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged, while more than 35,000 acres have burned. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: An aerial view of homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds continue to burn across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved. According to reports, 24 people have died with over 180,000 people under evacuation order or warning. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged, while more than 35,000 acres have burned. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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A plane drops fire retardant during the Eaton Fire near Altadena, California, US, on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. Southern California faces another round of dangerous fire weather set to begin Monday night, even as crews struggle to contain wind-driven blazes that have paralyzed Los Angeles for nearly a week and killed at least 24 people. Photographer: Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Firefighters from the California Conservation Corps work to contain the Eaton Fire in Altadena, California, US, on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025. Southern California faces another round of dangerous fire weather set to begin Monday night, even as crews struggle to contain wind-driven blazes that have paralyzed Los Angeles for nearly a week and killed at least 24 people. Photographer: Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: An aerial view of a fire truck near homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds continue to burn across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved. According to reports, 24 people have died with over 180,000 people under evacuation order or warning. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged, while more than 35,000 acres have burned. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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PACIFIC PALISADES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 13: An aerial view of homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire as wildfires cause damage and loss through the LA region on January 13, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds continue to burn across Los Angeles County, with some containment achieved. According to reports, 24 people have died with over 180,000 people under evacuation order or warning. Over 12,000 structures have been destroyed or damaged, while more than 35,000 acres have burned. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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This photo shows a firefighter at the scene of the Auto Fire in Ventura, California, on Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.
(@VCFD_PIO/X)
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Utah firefighters responding to the Palisades Fire near Los Angeles, California on Jan. 11, 2024.
(Utah Unified Fire)
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An Arizona fire crew on scene at the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, California on Jan. 8, 2025.
(Rich Jones/Arizona Forestry Battalion Chief assigned to Task Force 1 )
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Fire personnel respond to homes destroyed while a helicopter drops water as the Palisades Fire grows in Pacific Palisades, California on January 7, 2025. A fast-moving wildfire in a Los Angeles suburb burned buildings and sparked panic, with thousands ordered to evacuate January 7, 2025 as "life threatening" winds whipped the region.
(DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)
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A fire fighting helicopter drops water as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on January 11, 2025.
(PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
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A helicopter makes a water drop on fire that encroaches on a home in the Mandeville Canyon area where homes were evacuated on Saturday, January 11, 2025.
(Mindy Schauer/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
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Palm trees are bent from the wind as a helicopter flies above homes threatened by the wind-driven Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California, January 7, 2025.
(DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images)
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A firefighter works on a hillside during the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, California, US, on Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025. At least two rounds of vicious, dry Santa Ana winds are expected to blast through Southern California early this week, bringing powerful gusts that will challenge fire crews struggling to contain two destructive blazes and likely force thousands more residents to evacuate. Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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A cadaver dog, from the Los Angeles County Sheriff, sniffs through the rubble of beachfront properties destroyed by the Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, on January 12, 2025. US officials warned "dangerous and strong" winds were set to push deadly wildfires further through Los Angeles residential areas January 12 as firefighters struggled to make progress against the flames. At least 24 people have been confirmed dead from blazes that have ripped through the city, reducing whole neighborhoods to ashes and leaving thousands without homes. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP) (Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
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ALTADENA CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 12: A sign reading 'Looters will be shot' stands in a mandatory evacuation zone at the Eaton Fire on January 12, 2025 in Altadena, California. The death toll from the Eaton Fire rose to 16 today as search and rescue teams go through the ruins of thousands of homes. More than 7,000 structures, mostly homes, were damaged or destroyed as a powerful Santa Ana wind event pushed flames farther into the city than even many fire experts expected. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
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Firefighters work while smoke rises because of the growing Palisades fire in Los Angeles, California, on January 11, 2025. The Palisades Fire, the largest among the Los Angeles wildfires, pushed into new neighborhoods on January 11, prompting additional evacuations and diminishing optimism for containment. Since January 7, several fires have ravaged residential areas across the city, leaving at least 16 people dead and reducing thousands of homes to rubble. US President Joe Biden compared the destruction to a "war zone." (Photo by Ali Matin / Middle East Images / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by ALI MATIN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)
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Structures have been left in ruins, stunned residents are still awaiting word from officials as to when they will be allowed back into their neighborhoods to see what’s left, and investigators have started the heartbreaking task of searching for victims among the numerous piles of ash and rubble. So far, officials say at least 24 people are confirmed dead, and that number is expected to rise.
Several smaller fires have ignited since the firestorm began a week ago, but firefighters' heroic efforts have prevented them from growing to the size of the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have claimed the most lives and caused the most destruction.
Fire investigators said Wednesday they are looking to talk to all hikers who were near the ignition site of the Palisades on Jan. 7 to help determine what or who caused the inferno.
Southern California faces a historic wildfire crisis, with over 8,000 first responders, including the National Guard, battling relentless flames. These brave men and women endure exhaustion, extreme heat, choking smoke and unpredictable fire behavior as they stand on the front lines, protecting communities from this devastating disaster.
California wildfire death toll revised to 24, dozens missing
Shifting winds have caused the Palisades Fire in Southern California to spread eastward, threatening homes in the neighborhood of Mandeville Canyon.
Officials had said at least 25 people were killed as a result of the wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area, but on Tuesday evening, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner revised its total back to 24 after a set of remains that were found were determined to not be human.
The death toll is expected to rise as investigators continue to search the rubble of burned structures with K9s and cadaver dogs.
"It is a very grim task. And unfortunately, every day we're doing this, we're running across the remains of individual community members," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. "That is not easy work."
Drones, crime impact Palisades Fire response
A firefighter monitors the spread of the Auto Fire in Oxnard, North West of Los Angeles, California, on January 13, 2025.
(ETIENNE LAURENT/AFP / Getty Images)
Size: 23,713 acres
Containment: 18%
Cause: Under investigation
Tuesday marked one week since the deadly fires broke out in the Los Angeles area in Southern California and the fight is far from over.
According to CAL FIRE, the Palisades Fire's behavior on Tuesday was "moderate," and containment was less than 20%.
The aggressive firefight continued, and more than 2,000 California National Guard members assisted in the fire impression efforts.
Woody Faircloth talks about his experience in Southern California and the mission to find quality RVs for people displaced by the fires.
Officials had also pre-deployed resources across the region with the hopes that any new wildfires that did ignite could be brought under control quickly before spreading rapidly.
Officials have also been pleading with residents to pay attention to conditions and listen to any and all evacuation warnings if they are issued.
"We are not in the clear," Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristen Crowley said. "We must not let our guard down as we have, right now, extreme fire behavior. And we need to make sure that the community is staying updated with the most information. Follow all evacuation warnings and orders without delay."
Crews have been relentlessly attacking the Palisades Fire as the flames have continued to destroy home after home over the past week. The Palisades Fire is already the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history.
A fire whirl, sometimes referred to as a 'firenado', was spotted at around 10:45 p.m. in the Palisades Fire in Los Angeles on Friday night.
Tens of thousands of residents have been anxiously awaiting word as to when they can return home, but they will have to wait a bit longer as the wildfire fight continues.
Officials have been asking for patience.
"Those people are saying, ‘I just want to go look at my house and I want to see what’s left.’ We know that. But we have people literally looking for the remains of your neighbors," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. "Please be patient with us. There are a lot of hazards in the area still."
Crime and drones have also been hindering the response and investigation.
Satellite imagery from Planet Labs PBC captured on Thursday showed Los Angeles neighborhoods engulfed in smoke from the Palisades and Eaton fires as flames began to consume houses. Nearly 30,000 acres of land has been burned in the wildfires around Los Angeles, with over 10,000 structures destroyed, according to Cal Fire. The fires have left at least 10 people dead.
That aircraft, known as a "super scooper," was repaired, and officials said it was expected to return to the sky on Tuesday afternoon to join back in on the wildfire fight.
Dozens of people have also been arrested, including several people who were illegally using drones, breaking curfew or on burglary charges.
"Regarding arrests, we had a few more arrests overnight," Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said. "We are up to 39. That's 33 in the Eaton Fire area and six in the Palisades area."
As the battle against deadly and historic wildfires continues in California, investigators have now turned their attention to what may have caused the blazes to ignite. FOX Business Reporter Max Gorden was in Malibu on Wednesday morning with the latest.
Investigations have been launched, and lawsuits have been filed as the wildfire fight continues across Southern California.
Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) descended upon the Los Angeles area last weekend to help crews identify where and how the deadly wildfires ignited.
Lawsuits have also been filed.
"Over on the Eaton Fire, there have been several lawsuits filed against Southern California Edison, that’s the utility company down here," FOX Business Correspondent Max Gorden said. "Because fire was seen underneath transmission lines as the Eaton Fire started, so there are concerns that potentially the power company may have sparked this."
One lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday against Southern California Edison (SCE) alleging the Eaton Fire ignited from SCE’s wires. A second lawsuit was filed against SCE on Tuesday, claiming negligence and a failure to implement basic safety measures before the blaze.
The fires remain under investigation.
Crews make ‘significant progress’ working deadly Eaton Fire
Size: 14,117 acres
Containment: 45%
Cause: Under investigation
Officials say they have made significant progress in the fight against the Eaton Fire.
"The good news is that for the last two days, we've had no increase in acreage at the Eaton Fire," Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a news conference on Tuesday.
CAL FIRE said that containment efforts toward the Eaton Fire had been steadily progressing along the eastern edge of the blaze near Santa Ana Canyon.
Officials said that a mobile retardant base at Mount Wilson also remained active and provided retardant for helicopters to drop over inaccessible terrain where ground crews can’t access or construct containment lines.
The Los Angeles Fire Department Air Operations released a video on Friday showing helicopters flying aboveCalifornia's Santa Monica Mountains as the Palisades fire rages below.
In addition, infrared flights identified heat pockets within the interior of the fire area as dry fuels continued to burn out.
Power has been preemptively shut off in many areas with the hopes that if power lines are brought down, it won't trigger a fire.
"I ask all Los Angeles County residents in wildfire-prone areas to understand that the necessary public safety power shutoff is going to prevent our next fire from starting if we have downed power lines," Marrone continued. "I know that this is a challenge, but it is necessary for our collective safety."
The fight against deadly wildfires that have been raging in the Los Angeles area has been continuing for a week as millions in Southern California face another day of critical fire weather. However, the forecast is expected to change and relief is on the way.
Drought conditions lead to continued threat
A severe drought across the Los Angeles basin in combination with gusty winds and a lack of rainfall is expected to keep the fire scene active in the Golden State for weeks to come.
Several brush fires broke out on Wednesday, including a fire in San Bernardino County, east-southeast of Los Angeles.
Firefighters said the Little Mountain Fire consumed 30-50 acres and quickly burned through hillside brush.
No structures were immediately threatened by the blaze, as firefighters used both ground and aerial units to try to contain the fire.