California wildfires live: 16 dead as Palisades Fire spreads eastward, strong dry winds to worsen

California wildfire live updates: There’s no evidence that the Hurst Fire, one of the six active wildfires in the Los Angeles area, was caused by an electrical equipment, as per Southern California Edison (SCE).

California wildfire live updates: Mel Gibson is once again making headlines, this time for stirring controversy with remarks about the recent wildfires in California. During a January 10 appearance on The Ingraham Angle on Fox News, the 69-year-old actor raised eyebrows by suggesting that the California government, including Governor Gavin Newsom, may have been involved in the devastating disaster. His comments have quickly ignited a firestorm of conspiracy theories.

California wildfire live updates: Several celebrities have lost their properties, including legendary mixer Bob Clearmountain. On Sunday, Bob shared pictures of his studio, Mix This, completely destroyed by raging fires on his Instagram page.

“This is what’s left of Mix This! I want to thank everyone who have sent all the incredible notes of love and support we’ve gotten since this terrible thing happened. We’re trying to answer all of them but we’re also dealing with so many other issues so I apologize for not responding to everyone, but know that you’re all in our hearts,” Bob Clearmountain wrote on his page.

California wildfire live updates: At least 13 people are missing, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna. However, Luna added that it was unclear if the missing persons reports are related to the fires.

California wildfire live updates: According to The New York Post, Nearly 2,00,000 have been displaced due to the raging fires. Also, as many as 10,000 structures along with entire residential neighbourhoods have been destroyed.

California wildfire live updates: “The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country. They just can’t put out the fires. What’s wrong with them?” says President-elect Donald Trump.

California wildfire live updates: Australian Open tennis player Donna Vekic sent a message of support to her coach, Pam Shriver, and others in the greater Los Angeles area dealing with the wildfires ravaging the city — drawing a heart and writing “LA” in blue ink on a courtside TV camera after a victory on Sunday.

Vekic, who reached Wimbledon’s semifinals last July and won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics for Croatia last August, defeated Diane Parry of France 6-4, 6-4 in the first round of this season’s first Grand Slam tournament.

“We were just there two weeks ago. So I really cannot believe what’s happening,” Vekic said.

Actor Preity Zinta, who lives in Los Angeles, said she was safe from the devastation caused by California’s wildfires.

“Friends & families either evacuated or put on high alert, ash descending from smoggy skies like snow & fear & uncertainty about what will happen if the wind does not calm down with toddlers and grandparents with us. I’m heartbroken at the devastation around us & grateful to god that we are safe as of now (sic),” she wrote on X.

“My thoughts & prayers to people that are displaced & have lost everything in these fires. Hope the wind dies down soon & the fires are contained… Stay safe everyone,” she added.

California wildfire live updates: In a briefing posted online Saturday evening, Michael Traum of the California Office of Emergency Services said 150,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders, with more than 700 people taking refuge in nine shelters.

Crews from California and nine other states are part of the ongoing response that includes 1,354 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico, he said.

Hundreds of animals were brought to the Los Angeles Equestrian Center this week after the outbreak of deadly wildfires.

Residents struggled to rescue animals after evacuation orders advised them to leave their buildings as soon as possible.

Across the Los Angeles sprawl there are activists, veterinarians and volunteers working to rescue and care for animals made homeless in the tragedy, including some that were injured.

The Pasadena Humane Society received about 400 animals from Altadena, where the flames have already consumed more than 14,000 acres (5,600 hectares). (AFP)

With reports of looting and a nighttime curfew, police and the National Guard have set up checkpoints to stop people from entering the disaster areas.

This has left many residents frustrated, as they wait in lines for up to 10 hours to try and return to see what’s left of their homes.

One woman, Janelle, told KTLA that she already knows her house is gone, but she needs “closure.”

“I’ve seen the photos and videos, but I need to see it with my own eyes,” she said, her voice shaking.

The long wait has angered many people, adding to frustrations over hydrants running dry during the first efforts to fight the fire.

California fire live updates: On Saturday, California governor Gavin Newsom took to X to respond to Elon Musk’s claims that Democrats had decriminalised looting amid several cases emerging as fires rage in Los Angeles.

“Stop encouraging looting by lying and telling people it’s decriminalized. It’s not. It’s illegal, as it always has been. Bad actors will be arrested and prosecuted,” Newsom had said.

California fire live updates: Katherine Fleming, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, said the art galleries are “safe and protected” and are being closely monitored.

The expanded evacuation area covers some of Los Angeles’ most important cultural institutions, including the Getty Center, an architectural landmark with a world-class art collection. The historic cultural centre has a fire-resistant design that may be put to the test.

Eaton Fire – 15% of 14,117 acres contained

Palisades Fire – 11% of 23,654 acres contained

Hurst Fire – 76% of 799 acres contained

Kenneth Fire – 90% of 1,052 acres contained

Lidia Fire – 100% of 395 acres contained

California fire live updates: A fierce battle against the flames was underway in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities not far from the Pacific coast, where swooping helicopters dumped water as the blaze charged downhill. Firefighters on the ground used hoses in an attempt to beat back leaping flames as thick smoke blanketed the chaparral-covered hillside. (AP)

California fire live updates: The Palisades Fire continued to grow on Saturday, pushing eastwards.

“We’re a nervous wreck,” Sarah Cohen, a resident, told the Los Angeles Times of the threat to her Tarzana home.

“Every time they drop water, it gets better. But then it gets worse again.”

Footage from the Mandeville Canyon area showed one home consumed, with a wall of flame licking up a hillside to menace others.

The number of people confirmed dead in fires that raced through Los Angeles rose to 16 on Saturday, authorities said.

The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner published a list of fatalities without giving details of any identities. Five of the dead were found in the Palisades Fire zone, and 11 in the Eaton Fire zone, the document said. (AFP)

California fire live updates: California Fire Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler said on Saturday that states, including Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Montana, have contributed resources to fight the California wildfires.

California fire live updates: New evacuation orders were issued in the ultra-affluent Southern California neighbourhoods of Brentwood and Bel Air as the threat of more dry winds raised risks after a brief respite.

The expanded evacuation area covers some of Los Angeles’ most important cultural institutions, including the Getty Center, an architectural landmark with a world-class art collection.

The University of California’s Los Angeles campus is on “high alert” and has been advised to prepare for evacuation.

New areas of Bel Air east of the 405 freeway are now also on evacuation warning.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said the flames brought “another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak.”

California fire live updates: According to the US Storm Prediction Center, dry winds will raise the risk of critical fire weather conditions across Southern California late Saturday and likely persist through the first half of the coming week, leaving millions in peril.

Six simultaneous blazes across Los Angeles County have killed at least 13 people so far, and as many are reported missing.

The death toll is expected to rise when firefighters can get through ravaged structures and look for victims.