Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Death toll continues to climb as more than 7,500 firefighting personnel are deployed across California, with three of the most ferocious fires at zero percent containment
Independent Premium
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
At least five people have been killed as several fast-moving wildfires sweep across the Los Angeles area, leaving thousands of firefighters attempting to extinguish the blaze.
The death toll climbed to five as of Thursday morning after the Eaton fire raged through Altadena and Pasadena, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone confirmed to The New York Times.
The Palisades fire, now the one of the most destructive LA has seen, is burning more than 17,200 acres, while the Eaton fire has scorched some 10,600 acres. The Sunset fire in Hollywood has engulfed 60 acres. All three fires are at zero percent containment.
An estimated 2,000 buildings have been scorched and 130,000 residents ordered to evacuate, including more than 60,000 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. More than 330,000 people are without power throughout the region, according to PowerOutage.us.
On Thursday, California Governor Gavin Newsom revealed that more than 7,500 firefighting personnel and almost 1,200 fire trucks have been deployed across Southern California. He also thanked President Joe Biden, who announced the approval of a major disaster declaration and ordered federal assistance to bolster response efforts.
Donald Trump has taken yet another swipe at Californian officials with the Palisades, Eaton and Sunset fires at zero percent containment.
The president-elect has this time placed Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the firing line for the state’s response to the fast-moving fires – and threw a jab at the Biden Administration for good measure.
It comes as the president announced the approval of a major disaster declaration and ordered federal assistance to bolster response efforts.
“Fire is spreading rapidly for 3 days — ZERO CONTAINMENT. Nobody has ever seen such failed numbers before! Gross incompetence by Gavin Newscum and Karen Bass,” Trump wrote on Thursday morning. “And Biden’s FEMA has no money — all wasted on the Green New Scam! L.A. is a total wipeout!!!”
A plane travelling from San Jose to LAX airport battled thick black smoke and high winds from the deadly wildfires during a turbulent landing. Passenger Matt Gisela filmed footage of his flight and the scary encounter on Tuesday (7 January). Mr Gisela said: “Before the flight, the pilot warned of high winds and turbulence. “He suspended all food and drink service before we took off. As we approached LAX, we could see the smoke from the fire moving across the sky.” Wildfires continue to rage across more than 27,000 acres in Southern California – with one of the fires now the most destructive in the history of Los Angeles.
Runyon Canyon residents rallied to save a home after a palm tree ignited, sending hot ash onto properties.
Locals used a ladder to climb onto the roof of a house before dousing the flames in buckets of water for more than 40 minutes, according to KABC.
The man who retrieved the ladder, known only as Tony, recounted how he and his friends were able to salvage one home in the “apocalyptic scene”.
“It’s just devastating with all of the apocalyptic scenes that we see, especially on the news, with the fire and families that were affected as well. So it’s just great that we were able to save this one house,” Tony told the news station.
“It’s one of many that are not in the path of destruction, but we know a lot of houses were lost in this.”
WARNING: Following livestream may contain distressing content.
The Los Angeles wildfires continued to grow rapidly Thursday, engulfing homes in the Pacific Palisades and other neighborhoods, including star-studded Studio City, Calabasas and Altadena.
In under 48 hours, the fires spread across more than 28,000 acres. Flames have been fanned by a fierce windstorm known as the Santa Ana winds, and officials are warning the situation could get worse as three of the four main blazes stand at zero percent containment.
The Independent has produced a suite of maps tracking the wildfires.
Death toll has risen to five, while 2,000 structures have been burned down and more than 150,000 locals are under evacuation orders
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in