LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – Fire crews face a critical stage in their attempt to contain the Palisades Fire on Sunday, as wind conditions are expected to worsen as the week goes on.
The blaze, already one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles, made a vicious push east on Saturday as it darted toward Brentwood and burned down a home in the Mandeville Canyon. Crews limited the damage to the neighborhood, however, and stopped the blaze’s advance.
As of the latest Cal Fire update, the Palisades Fire stood at 23,713 acres and was 13% contained.
The damage, which includes more than 5,000 destroyed structures and at least two deaths, has been devastating. The historic neighborhood of the Pacific Palisades was nearly burnt completely to the ground as thousands of families are figuring out what to do next.
The threat is not gone, however. The next several days, starting Sunday, will be marred by critical fire weather, according to the National Weather Service.
Dry humidity paired with high-speed winds to the northeast could continue the fire’s expansion toward the San Fernando Valley, which could provide untold damages to one of L.A.’s major population centers.
Sunday should be critical for crews, as wind gusts are expected to remain below 10 or 11 miles per hour in the evening, but high winds are predicted to return early Monday morning.
Fire departments from Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Texas and even Mexico, are now in Southern California to help battle the blaze.
Evacuation zones remain unchanged on Sunday from Saturday. They include the Pacific Palisades to the Pacific Ocean and included areas of Santa Monica, Malibu, and Topanga. Residents and businesses in Calabasas and parts of Tarzana and Encino remained under an evacuation warning on Sunday morning.
UCLA students have been told to remain on high alert, although campus remains open for the time being.
Officials closed several exits along the 405 Freeway. They include:
- Getty Center Drive off-ramps in both directions closed.
- Skirball Center Drive off-ramps in both directions closed.
- Southbound Sunset Blvd. off-ramp closed.
- Southbound Wilshire Blvd. off-ramp closed.
- Southbound Santa Monica Blvd. off-ramp closed.
- Southbound Olympic/Pico Blvd. off-ramp closed.
While crews battle the fires, raising tensions between city officials remain apparent. In a news conference on Saturday, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass noted that her and LAFD Fire Chief Kristin Crowley have had “differences.”
“We need to stay focused, but I will say that when the fires are out, make no mistake, we will have a full accounting of what worked and especially what did not,” Bass said. “Let me be clear about something, the fire chief and I are focused on fighting these fires and saving lives, and any differences we might have will be worked out in private, but right now, our first and most important obligation is to get through this crisis.”
While Bass did not go into detail on the “differences,” LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley previously stated in an interview that city leadership failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting and that the city was not prepared for disaster at this scale.
“When a firefighter comes up to a hydrant, we expect there’s going to be water,” she said.
Sunday morning’s press conference can be viewed below:
DOZENS ARRESTED IN EVACUATION ZONES
Officials with the Santa Monica Police Department arrested 39 people in evacuation zones over the last five days, 10 of whom of who were found to be in possession of tools and are considered burglary suspects.
CONTAINMENT GROWS AHEAD OF NEW WIND EVENT
Ahead of what the National Weather Service is going to be a “particularly dangerous situation” as strong Santa Ana winds return, firefighters have gained some ground on the nearly 24,000-acre Fire Palisades Fire, bringing containment of flames up to 13%, officials announced Sunday evening.
DEATH TOLL FROM PALISADES FIRE CLIMBS TO 8
In a grim update Sunday evening, officials with the L.A. County Department of Medical Examiner announced several more fatalities as a result of the Palisades Fire, bringing the total lives lost from the two largest fires to 24.
EVACUATION ORDER DOWNGRADED FOR PORTION OF PALISADES
Officials with the Los Angeles Fire Department on Sunday announced that evacuation orders for a portion of the Palisades have been downgraded to an evacuation warning and that residents will be allowed to repopulate their homes “with caution” in the following areas:
- North of W Sunset Blvd up to and including Mount Saint Mary’s University.
- From North Bundy Drive to the San Diego Fwy. Area Two (LOS-Q0762B).
- Northern boundary is the Encino Reservoir.
- From Vanalden Ave East to Strawberry Field Park.
A map marking the downgraded areas can be found here.
OFFICIALS COMMENT ON INSURANCE CLAIMS, SCAMS
State Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-42nd District) addressed a question that is on most fire victims’ minds: how to ease the immediate costs that come with losing a home.
Due to the sheer number of fires in the area in recent days, Irwin stated that her office is “very familiar with what residents are going through” and that those affected by the fire should visit her office’s website for a full list of steps they can take. Tips for insurance providers are also available.
She advised constituents that the FEMA funding claims process may be delayed due to the website being bogged down with requests. Irwin also said that contacting her office may be challenging, as their Pacific Palisades branch burned down and power outages are affecting the phones at the district office in Thousand Oaks; her Capitol Office phone line does remain usable.
On the topic of price gouging, Assemblymember Irwin called it “absolutely unacceptable” and urged anyone who suspects price gouging when looking for housing to report it to the Attorney General’s office.
“This is absolutely unacceptable and illegal to do in the face of this horrible tragedy,” she said.
LAPD CHIEF: ‘WE’RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION’
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell was blunt and got straight to the point when it was his turn to speak at Sunday afternoon’s press conference updating the public on the Palisades Fire.
“In these updates, you hear much of the same information each time, and that’s good,” he said. “We’re moving in the right direction…and we’re working together as well as we can.”
McDonnell reiterated that his department’s job remains the same: Evacuation — that may happen again in the next couple of days — traffic control and crime suppression.
“We have an awful lot of LAPD officers out there looking for people who are taking advantage of others,” he said, adding that the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. curfew remains “very much in effect.”
ONGOING SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS
L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna addressed ongoing search and rescue operations for victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires.
A total of 16 people have died in the fires, with 14 of the deaths happening in LASD jurisdiction. Earlier in the day, Sheriff Luna stated that 16 missing person reports have been filed with the department.
“In both fire locations, we have current search and rescue recovery operations going,” the sheriff said. “I don’t expect good news from those.”
Below: Sheriff Robert Luna speaks at a Sunday afternoon press conference.
L.A. COUNTY FIRE CHIEF: NO RETURNING TO EVACUATED AREAS UNTIL AT LEAST THURSDAY
Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone addressed concerns over establishment of recovery centers, the rebuilding process and most urgently, the timeline for repopulation of evacuated areas.
On the latter subject, he stated clearly that it won’t be until midweek that officials even start talking about letting people back to their homes in both the Palisades and Eaton fire evacuation order and warning zones.
“This is a priority for the Unified Incident Command,” he said. “Unfortunately, those conversations are not going to begin until the next predicted Red Flag ends on Wednesday. So please rest assured that first thing Thursday, we will start talking about repopulation in evacuation order and warning areas.”
ADDITIONAL CALIFORNIA NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS DEPLOYED
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the activation of California National Guard personnel who will support the response efforts to a total of about 2,500 service members, which is up 1,000 personnel from Saturday.
“The men and women of the California National Guard have been on the ground since day one – not only fighting fires, but also assisting with public safety efforts in communities devastated by these fires,” Newsom said in a media release. “We thank them for their efforts to keep our communities safe.”
L.A. MAYOR BASS EMPHASIZES UNITY IN CHALLENGING TIMES
Also speaking at Sunday morning’s press conference was Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who said it was “very inspirational” to see groups of volunteers out en masse helping fire victims while she visited the Hurst Fire command post in Sylmar on Saturday.
“It was an example to me of the spirit of our city and how we need to continue to act in a unified manner,” Mayor Bass said. “We will be prepared and we will get through this, but it takes the unity and the spirit that I saw [Saturday] to make sure that Los Angeles comes out of this a much better city.”
Support has poured in from across the state and the rest of America, and an aid group from Mexico was sent to the L.A. area by Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum.
Bass also stated that her office is working to “[cut] through the bureaucracy that holds us back, even in normal times” so that Angelenos can rebuild as quickly as possible.
EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY GOV. NEWSOM
Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Sunday that suspends permitting and review requirements under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and the California Coastal Act to allow victims of the recent fires to restore their homes and businesses faster.
According to the governor’s office, the executive order will:
- Suspend CEQA review and California Coastal Act permitting for reconstruction of properties substantially damaged or destroyed in recent Southern California wildfires.
- Direct state agencies to identify additional permitting requirements, including provisions of the Building Code, that can safely be suspended or streamlined to accelerate rebuilding and make it more affordable.
- Extend protections against price gouging on building materials, storage services, construction, and other essential goods and services to January 7, 2026, in Los Angeles County.
- Commit to working with the Legislature to identify statutory changes that can help expedite rebuilding while enhancing wildfire resilience and safety.
“When the fires are extinguished, victims who have lost their homes and businesses must be able to rebuild quickly and without roadblocks,” Newsom said in a statement. “The executive order I signed today will help cut permitting delays, an important first step in allowing our communities to recover faster and stronger. I’ve also ordered our state agencies to identify additional ways to streamline the rebuilding and recovery process.”
A copy of the executive order can be found here.
L.A. COUNTY BOARD CHAIR BARGER INVITES TRUMP TO SOCAL
L.A. County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger said Sunday morning that she sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump asking him to visit L.A. County to get a look at the wildfire devastation firsthand, meet with impacted residents, thank first responders and “most importantly” see how the federal government can help communities “heal and rebuild.”
“In my years in the county, I have seen time and time again how essential of a partner the federal government is when responding to an emergency and helping our communities recover,” Barger said. “I look forward to welcoming President-elect Trump to our communities so he can see the desperate need but also the incredible opportunity of hope and perseverance for our impacted neighbors.”
Barger said she also met with state officials on Saturday, who are working with the county to “cut the red tape” that could slow or limit residents from rebuilding their homes and businesses.
TASK FORCE CREATED TO IDENTIFY CAUSES OF FIRES
Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell stated that local and federal officials have created a task force to identify the cause of the Southern California wildfires.
Figuring out how the fires started is “critically important,” Chief McDonnell stated, adding that the Los Angeles Regional Wildfire Investigative Task Force has been created and is being led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives.
EVACUATION NUMBERS
Approximately 105,000 county residents remain under mandatory evacuation orders, with a further 87,000 under an evacuation warning.
“I just want to remind everybody, if you are asked to leave…your life is in danger,” L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said. “I know a lot of our residents are trying to get back, and they are frustrated…[but] when you drive through these areas, they look like war zones…it is not safe.”
MORE ARRESTS MADE, MISSING PEOPLE REPORTED
L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna spoke at Sunday morning’s press conference and gave an update on statistics surrounding arrests and missing person reports.
According to the sheriff, “approximately” 29 arrests have been made since the fires broke out; 25 in relation to the Eaton Fire and four in relation to the Palisades Fire. One of the arrests included a man who was dressed like a fireman who got caught burglarizing a home, Sheriff Luna said.
Six arrests made overnight connected to the Eaton Fire were for violating curfews, firearms and narcotics charges.
Officials said they are “eager to prosecute” those who were arrested for stealing or scamming fire victims.
A total of 14 deaths have been confirmed in L.A. County, Sheriff Luna said, with 11 in the Eaton Fire area and three in the L.A. County area of the Palisades Fire. Those numbers are expected to rise as the days go on and more searches are conducted, the sheriff said.
An additional 16 missing person reports have been filed with LASD, Sheriff Luna added; 12 in the Eaton Fire and four in the Palisades Fire.
“If there’s any good news, it’s that no juveniles are missing in those numbers…but it sounds like we just got dozens and dozens more, but I have to reconcile those numbers,” he said. “I cannot emphasize [enough]…if you believe someone is missing, please report it to your local law enforcement agency.”
LAFD CHIEF: BASS AND I ARE ‘UNITED AND FOCUSED’
LAFD Chief Chief Kristin Crowley said in the Sunday news conference that her, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell are “united and focused” on preparing the city for more strong winds.
The statement comes after Bass acknowledged that her and Crowley had “differences” in approach. Crowley had previously complained about a lack of financial support for the LAFD from the city.
LAFD CHIEF EXPLAINS WHY RESIDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED BACK TO HOMES YET
In the Sunday morning press conference, Chief Crowley explained why many residents are not being allowed to go back to their homes just yet.
“There are still active fires that are burning within the Palisades area that are making it extremely, extremely dangerous for the public,” she explained. “There’s no power, there’s no water, there are broken gas lines and we have unstable structures.”
PALISADES FIRE UPDATE
At a press conference early Sunday morning, LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley provided an update on the Palisades Fire, stating it was 23,707 acres and 11% contained. More than 4,700 firefighters have been dispatched to fight the blaze.
FEMA FUNDING
FEMA announced Sunday morning that they have registered 18,000 survivors of the Southern California wildfires and approved $4.2 million in serious needs assistance.
Serious needs assistance offers one-time payments to help cover the cost of immediate disaster relief needs, such as hotel costs, food and water, prescription medications and personal property, according to Bob Fenton, FEMA Region 9 Regional Administrator.
To apply for FEMA assistance, visit www.disasterassistance.org or call 1-800-621-3362.