In Brief
Latest on the fires
What, specifically, happens when investigators try to determine the cause of fires? We interviewed experts to find out.
Today on AirTalk, as firefighters start to get a handle on the Los Angeles wildfires, we have assembled experts to give the latest updates and answer listener questions. We'll be talking about the fire weather forecast for the coming days, changes in rent prices and CA environmental policy going forward. If you are dealing with the fallout of these fires, call in and share your story.
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• 1:40:05
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The National Weather Service forecasts a brief respite in fire weather starting Thursday into the weekend. But red flag warnings could kick in again Monday. -
The region already had a severe shortage of affordable housing. With thousands of families displaced by fires, it’s now even worse.
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Sheriff's officials have door to door searches with cadaver dogs underway in daylight hours.
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LAPD suspends resident visits to fire area as search for more bodies continues. The fire, which has killed eight people, has burned through more than 23,000 acres, leaving huge areas of Pacific Palisades and Malibu leveled.
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Firefighters are making a strong ground and aerial effort to shut down fire along a riverbed in Ventura. So far, 24 victims have been confirmed to have died in the two biggest fires in L.A. County.
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The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has confirmed 24 deaths, a toll that rose after structure-to-structure searches by authorities over the weekend.
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From Pacific Palisades to Altadena, devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles County. Our photographers captured images during the fires.
Understanding the fires
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Think of PDS or "particular dangerous situation" as the National Weather Service's Rolls Royce for fire weather.
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To better understand the size of the L.A. fires, this tool lets you overlay the fire perimeters on any location in California.
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Let us help you separate fact from fiction.
More fire news and resources
The community has been a sanctuary for Black residents. Homeownership for African Americans in Altadena is about 81% — close to double the national rate.
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L.A. County has released a searchable, preliminary map for each area.
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A commercial and fine art photographer tackles wildfire as one of his major themes. This week, he lost his Altadena duplex to the Eaton Fire.
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An unknown number of homes, businesses and cherished community spots have gone up in flames.
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As the wildfires in L.A. continue to burn, is it safe to shower? Wash dishes? What if you used tap water by accident? Here’s what to know about the three types of water advisories in effect right now.
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The nation's second largest school district has been closed since Thursday as fires spread around the Los Angeles area.
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These photos chronicle the catastrophic scale of destruction from wildfires in L.A. County that started on Jan. 7.
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These devastating fires are taking a toll on our mental health. Here’s how to know when to seek helpMental health resources for kids and adults tailored to this fire disaster.
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Palisades fire victims can get everything from clothes to toiletries to dog food, donated by their neighbors at a Santa Monica shop known for posh dress rentals.
Fact checks
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LAist dives into the science behind the claim that the brush clearance would have 'significantly mitigated' the destruction and losses.
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Why did water hydrants run dry in the midst of a conflagration?
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“We have a lot of abnormal incidents that are layered over our normal everyday operations, which makes it seem even worse,” an LAFD spokesperson said.
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Hint: follow the money.
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Your donation to power local reporting is essential. Donate for the first time or increase your monthly donation to support our wildfire and breaking news coverage today and keep LAist's local journalism strong.
More News
Here’s what local animal organizations are doing and how to get in contact with them.
Larry Mantle and LAist film critics Christy Lemire and Wade Major review this weekend’s latest movie releases in theaters and on streaming.
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• 30:17
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The vote comes after the county decided not to open additional winter shelters this year.
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These devastating fires are taking a toll on our mental health. Here’s how to know when to seek helpMental health resources for kids and adults tailored to this fire disaster.
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The funds were cash advances to service providers in the Los Angeles region.
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Homelessness grew just 3% in California last year, compared to 18% nationwide.
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New UCLA chancellor brings experience as a former University of Miami president, Harvard administrator, and Mexico health secretary.
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This week, stay safe. If you’re in a place to help, help. And if you’re able to, maybe try to get out to support the arts in this trying time.
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The current fires are on track to become one of the most costly disasters in California history. That could threaten the stability of California's insurance market and make housing costs go up even more.
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The federal government typically covers 75% of rebuilding costs after a major disaster. President-elect Trump has threatened to withhold firefighting money from California.
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"These fires will likely be the costliest in history, not the deadliest, and that is the only silver lining right now."
Civics & Democracy
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President-elect Donald Trump faulted California water policies for the devastating wildfires that are burning in Los Angeles County. The fires started because of fierce winds and extremely dry conditions. -
What issues facing Southern California are you most worried about? What are you feeling optimistic about?
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Reparations advocates are campaigning for two proposals that failed in the final hours of last year’s legislative session.
Featured Podcast
LAist Newsroom Answers Your Questions about the Fires
Los Angeles County has been ravaged by multiple fires. Thousands of structures were destroyed, and hundreds of thousands of Angelenos have evacuated. Imperfect Paradise host Antonia Cereijido and correspondent Emily Guerin answer your most commonly asked questions about wildfires such as: Why are so many houses built in fire prone areas? How did the fires get so bad? Plus, we get wildfire and evacuation advice from our podcast, The Big Burn, with Science Reporter Jacob Margolis.
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• 24:17
Orange County News
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Here’s where to find shelter, food, childcare, and more.
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The forecast: continued winds, even drier conditions, no rain in sight.
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If CalOptima joins, it will create a sixth coverage option so members can stick to the same doctors they’re used to.
Orange County corruption scandal
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Who is Andrew Do? Why is his 23-year-old daughter involved? What does a county supervisor even do? We explain the theft of public funds that prosecutors say took place in Orange County.
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Federal prosecutors say the longtime O.C. supervisor has agreed to plead guilty and resign in a conspiracy to steal millions of dollars meant to feed needy seniors, following a months-long LAist investigation and federal probe.
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Former Orange County Supervisor Andrew Do was one of the state’s highest elected Vietnamese American politicians. He resigned on Tuesday.
Featured events
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Event
On January 25, actor Virginia Madsen (she/her) and NPR host A Martínez (he/him) plus surprise guest experts will join J. Keith and Helen for a trivia show like no other!
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Now is your chance to see the iconic comedian live onstage in this special taping, presented by LAist and Martin Media. Join us for an evening of her signature observational humor and sharp, spontaneous wit.
More stories
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Sometimes, weather is just weather. And other times human-caused climate change had an obvious impact.
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This moon phase is nicknamed the Wolf Moon, which is rooted in Native American culture.
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Santa Monica College will hold a donation drive to gather aid for students, employees, and other community members who’ve been affected by recent fires.
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A large area of greater Los Angeles had unhealthy air Friday, due to particulate matter from large wildfires. Here are tips for breathing cleaner air indoors if it's smoky outside.
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With the Palisades Fire close by, UCLA will move undergraduate and graduate classes online through Friday, Jan. 17.
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"People have lost everything," says FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell. More than 24,000 have already applied for assistance from FEMA, but Criswell says that number is certain to rise.
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In a city prone to large natural disasters, L.A. firefighters are widely considered to be among the best in the business at knocking down urban wildfires. But in the extreme conditions lately, experts say little can be done even to slow these modern fires.
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With fire danger still high, authorities implore you to follow evacuation orders. Lives are at stakeHeroic rescues. Heartbreaking tragedies. And no need for many of them, emergency response leaders say.
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For one listing, rent jumped nearly 86% since September. In an interview with LAist, the agent said she told her client, “People are desperate, and you can probably get good money.”
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Prominent right-wing influencers are claiming that the response to the Los Angeles wildfires was hampered by workplace diversity policies. It's part of a wider strategy to discredit those policies.
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The fires around Los Angeles arrived just as Hollywood's awards season kicked off. It's an ominous sign at a time when film and TV production is already down.
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At least 153,000 Los Angelenos have had to evacuate their homes and about 166,000 people were under evacuation warnings as of Saturday, according to the LA County Sheriff's Department.
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