• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
What we know about how LA wildfires started as neighbourhoods destroyed with 180,000 evacuated and 10 dead

Home> News> US News

Published 12:52 10 Jan 2025 GMT

What we know about how LA wildfires started as neighbourhoods destroyed with 180,000 evacuated and 10 dead

The first of the LA wildfires started on Tuesday with thousands of buildings and homes destroyed

Jess Battison

Jess Battison

At least five fires are currently burning in Los Angeles where officials warn more high winds could further fan the flames that have been causing total devastation this past week.

At least 10 people have been killed by the wildfires with 180,000 evacuated as neighbourhoods are destroyed.

As firefighters and responders work tirelessly to contain them, here is what we know about how the out-of-control LA wildfires started.

How did the LA fires start?

The Palisades fire was the first to erupt on Tuesday (7 January) before the Eaton, Hurst, Lidia and Kenneth fires began. The earlier Sunset, Woodley and Olivas fires have now been contained.

Strong winds and a lack of rain are driving the blazes which are desperately being tackled to contain. With these powerful gusts blowing inland, they create these conditions where humidity drops. So, if a fire starts up the winds can fan it into an inferno within minutes.

Advert

Southern California’s fire season generally stretches from May to October but state governor Gavin Newsom has said: “There's no fire season, it's fire year."

Thousands of buildings have been destroyed. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
Thousands of buildings have been destroyed. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)

Experts say climate change is altering the background conditions in the area and increasing the likelihood of these wildfires.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: “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.”

California is particularly vulnerable after having a very warm summer and a very dry period over recent months.

Advert

Local fire chief David Acuna told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme there isn’t ‘any conclusive evidence’ the fires were lit on purpose as he added: “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."

Strong winds and dry conditions mean the fires spread rapidly. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
Strong winds and dry conditions mean the fires spread rapidly. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)

Arrests made

North of the Palisades fire, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) believe the Kenneth fire was started intentionally as an arrest has been made.

Minutes after the fast-spreading blaze broke out yesterday, citizens reportedly restrained a man for allegedly attempting to start a fire in Woodland Hills.

Advert

Sean Dinse of the LAPD’s Topanga Division told KTLA 5 he was later detained by police in relation to the fire. A local claimed the suspect was armed with a ‘propane tank or a flamethrower’.

According to police there have also been 20 arrests as National Guard troops have been deployed to stop looting in evacuated areas.

Devastating impact of the LA fires

Across the county, nearly 180,000 residents have had evacuation orders as hundreds of buildings have burned down.

Advert

Major celebrities like Paris Hilton are amongst those who have had homes devastated by the wildfires. Ten people are currently confirmed dead but it is expected that the death toll will rise.

Another 200,000 residents are under an evacuation warning which means they may be required to soon leave their homes.

The fires are said to be the most destructive in LA history with over 10,000 buildings affected and 60,000 at risk.

What is being done to combat the fires?

Los Angeles Fire Department chief Kristin Crowley told press during a recent briefing: “We are not out of danger. You can see the active fires that are burning with strong winds that are going to continue throughout the night.

Advert

"I can tell you and assure you that firefighters and first responders remain focused on protecting lives and property. We urge the public to help us."

Firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the fires. Palisades was six percent contained last night, Eaton is zero percent contained, Hurst is beginning to be contained, Lidia is 60 percent contained and the newest fire, Kenneth so far covers nearly 1,000 acres.

A fire weather outlook for southern California has been brought down from ‘extremely critical’ to ‘critical’ but there is said to be no rain forecast for at least a week.

Featured Image Credit: Apu Gomes/Getty Images

Topics: US News, Weather

Jess Battison
Jess Battison

Jess is a Senior Journalist with a love of all things pop culture. Her main interests include asking everyone in the office what they're having for tea, waiting for a new series of The Traitors and losing her voice at a Beyoncé concert. She graduated with a first in Journalism from City, University of London in 2021.

X

@jessbattison_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • 8 hours ago

    How man declared 'legally dead' walked into a courtroom to apply for a driving license

    And the astonishing part is, the judge said he was still legally dead

    News
  • 9 hours ago

    Doctor issues warning about major mistake millions make while driving that is ‘slowing your brain down’

    Most cars have this button on the dashboard - but be mindful of how long you're using it for

    News
  • 9 hours ago

    Expert reveals disturbing reason why you should never tell your dark secrets to ChatGPT

    Perhaps a set of code using data it's mined from the internet archive isn't your BFF?

    News
  • 9 hours ago

    The dark happenings behind the scenes of ChatGPT that many people don't know about

    In 2023, OpenAI was subjected to controversy following a TIME magazine investigation into ChatGPT

    News
  • Everything we know about Texas floods that have killed at least 121 as Trump arrives at disaster site
  • New study changes what we know about Easter Island's famous heads, ending 'strange argument'
  • Joe Rogan cries on latest episode of JRE podcast over what he experienced during previous LA wildfires
  • Pet owner returns to his home after LA wildfires and is left in tears at what he discovers