Wildfires are raging on in Los Angeles, with at least 16 people killed in the blazes and more than 100,000 people under evacuation orders. Looters are a persistent thorn in the side of the authorities, with criminals even dressing as firefighters in order to steal from evacuated homes.
Sunday 12 January 2025 14:01, UK
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Our partner network NBC News is currently airing an interview with California governor Gavin Newsom in an edition of Meet the Press recorded yesterday.
Mr Newsom has been under fire over his handling of the wildfires, after reports emerged suggesting firefighters were struggling to use some fire hydrants across Los Angeles.
He’s likely to respond to that criticism and attacks from Donald Trump, who has been targeting the Democrat in a spate of social media posts.
You can watch the interview as it airs by clicking the livestream at the top of this page, or you can follow along in this blog.
It’s nearly 6am in Los Angeles, where wildfires are still burning across several parts of the city.
If you’re just joining us, here’s what you need to know…
Sixteen dead
At least 16 people have been killed so far during the disaster, while thousands of buildings have been destroyed.
Five people died in the Palisades Fire, and 11 in the Eaton Fire.
Several are missing.
Winds to worsen
The National Weather Service has warned of worsening Santa Ana winds, leading to fears the fires could get worse.
Gusts are set to hit into this morning (afternoon UK time) in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, and again on late tomorrow through into Tuesday morning.
Winds could reach 70mph.
“We’re in a continued period of critical fire weather through Wednesday,” said NWS meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld.
Here’s what the fires themselves are looking like right now:
These figures are provided by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire.
To try to put these figures into some context – 21,000 acres is an area slightly larger than the city of Derby, which is just under 20,000 acres according to the Office for National Statistics.
Looters ‘dressing as firefighters’
Looters continue to be a thorn in the side of authorities in LA.
There have been several arrests in recent days, as criminals wade into evacuated areas to steal from abandoned houses.
Some have even dressed up as firefighters.
Here are the other key things to be aware of:
The official cause of the deadly Los Angeles wildfires, fuelled by powerful winds and drought-like conditions, is yet to be determined.
But with the blazes still raging, who has been blamed for the devastation that has seen hundreds of homes destroyed homes and at least 16 people killed?
Find out here.
A horseracing track on the edge of Los Angeles now “resembles a refugee camp on the edge of warzone”, our correspondent David Blevins said from the scene last night.
People arriving at Santa Anita Park “are exhausted and desperate”, he added.
Watch his full report here.
Donald Trump has kept up his attacks on California and Los Angeles officials over their handling of the wildfires.
Writing on Truth Social a short time ago, he said…
Mel Gibson says there is “nothing left” of his Hollywood home following the LA wildfires and “someone should answer” for the devastation.
The Braveheart star was with podcaster Joe Rogan when the flames engulfed his Malibu mansion and said he was a “little tense” while recording their discussion.
But he knew his family were “out of harm’s way” and a few “necessary things” such as passports were saved.
But the loss of his home and others is “tragic” and it “makes you really sad”, he added.
While describing lost items as “only things”, he said they included “works of art, photographs, [and] rare books”, some of them dating back to 1600.
Regarding the conduct of the authorities, he told Fox News: “Apparently, some people were asleep on the job, mainly our leaders.
“That’s something they have to live with. Kids are traumatised. Someone should answer for it.”
Asked if he had a message for California governor Gavin Newsom, or Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, he commented: “Spend less on hair gel.”
As we’ve been reporting, looting has become a real problem in Los Angeles.
As thousands leave their homes under evacuation orders, criminals are wading into restricted areas to loot empty houses.
Some are even dressing as firefighters, we reported earlier (see 3.11am post).
Claims that fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades were broken before the city’s wildfires began are “misleading and false”, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power has said.
Reports have been swirling that firefighters have been running out of water, or that water pressure has significantly dropped, hindering efforts to tackle the massive infernos.
“LADWP repaired every hydrant needing repairs as reported by LA Fire Department inspectors,” a statement read.
The department added that about 20% of hydrants in the area lost pressure “due to unprecedented and extreme water demand to fight the wildfire without aerial support”.
Governor Gavin Newsom, who has been blamed by Donald Trump for the issues, has called for an independent investigation into the loss of water pressure to local fire hydrants and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir.
By Chris England, Sky News meteorologist
The Santa Ana winds are expected to peak later today, with 70mph gusts possible over the higher ground and 55mph gusts at low levels.
They should ease later, but look like strengthening again later on tomorrow into Tuesday, before easing again on Wednesday.
Thereafter, it’s looking relatively settled into next week, with a much greater chance of moister winds off the Pacific, reducing the wildfire risk, but forecasts are not terribly reliable that far ahead, and there’s a chance the Santa Ana may redevelop over the weekend.
The American National Weather service has a strong wind advisory until 3pm local time on Wednesday.
For context: Strong winds, up to 100mph at times, have exacerbated the fires.
Earlier in the week, gusts allowed the fires to spread more easily and prevented firefighting aircraft – a crucial asset in the battle against the blazes – from getting in the air.
In short, higher winds means a harder job for firefighters.
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