Extremely critical fire weather conditions persist in southern California due to strong Santa Ana winds, posing a significant threat of rapid fire growth through Wednesday. Red Flag Warnings remain in effect for Ventura and Los Angeles counties, with localized gusts reaching 115 km/h (70 mph).
Two massive wildfires in Los Angeles County have scorched more than 14 973 ha (37 000 acres), leaving at least 24 people dead, destroying over 12 000 structures, and threatening tens of thousands more, as of late Sunday, January 12, 2025.
The Palisades Fire, now the largest of six active wildfires in Los Angeles County, has scorched over 15 400 ha (38 000 acres), destroyed 5 300 structures, and forced new evacuations as containment remains at 11%. To improve public awareness and operational transparency, CAL FIRE LNU has introduced real-time 3D aircraft tracking on its incident map.
The Palisades Fire, now the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles County’s history, has burned through over 8 094 ha (20 000 acres), destroyed more than 5 300 structures, and left Pacific Palisades in ruins since it ignited on January 7, 2024. With only 6% containment, the fire has ravaged entire neighborhoods, including some of the nation’s most affluent areas.
The Palisades Fire broke out on Tuesday morning, January 7, 2025, and has burnt through 6 975 ha (17 234 acres) in Los Angeles County by Thursday, destroying and damaging over 1 000 structures by some reports. The blaze forced tens of thousands to evacuate, terrifying the residents who were forced to flee with just essentials.
The Eaton Fire has claimed the lives of at least five civilians and injured four firefighters as it continues to scorch 10 600 ha (26 230 acres) of land, leaving destruction and uncertainty in its path. Nearly 40 000 structures are under threat, with over 1 000 already destroyed the blaze continues expand with the dry and windy conditions continue to affect the region.
Catastrophic wildfires fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds have been sweeping through Southern California since Tuesday, January 8, 2025, killing at least 24 people, displacing over 200 000 residents, and destroying more than 12 000 homes and buildings. In addition, more than 360 000 customers, or just over 1 million people in California were left without power.
Three wildfires broke out in southern California’s Los Angeles County, burning through nearly 1 600 ha (4,000 acres) in less than a day, prompting tens of thousands to evacuate and damaging multiple structures.
A strong high-pressure system developing over parts of the Great Basin is forecast to set up major Santa Ana winds over southern California starting on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, with an Extremely Critical Outlook being issued for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
The first tornado of 2025 in the U.S. was reported in Tehama County, California on Friday, January 3, 2024.
