5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
Five wildfires now burn in the Los Angeles area of Southern California, leaving death, destruction and devastation in their paths. And the infernos led President Joe Biden to cancel his final international trip in office. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
5 dead, thousands of homes destroyed as fires rip through Los Angeles area
At least five wildfires were burning in the heavily populated Los Angeles area of California on Thursday, Jan. 9, destroying thousands of homes and putting millions of lives in danger. At least five people died from the blaze and more than 100,000 evacuated their homes.
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Dry conditions and strong winds continue to fuel the flames.
The newest fire, the Sunset Fire, sparked Wednesday night in the famous Hollywood Hills region. According to the Los Angeles Fire Department’s latest update at 11:50 p.m. PST on Wednesday, the blaze engulfed 60 acres at 0% contained.
The Palisades Fire remains the biggest threat, covering over 17,000 acres at 0% containment.
Officials said it destroyed at least 1,000 buildings, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
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The deadly Eaton Fire near Pasadena and Altadena spanned more than 10,000 acres at 0% contained. All five reported deaths were linked to the Eaton Fire.
Fire crews made headway on the Hurst Fire in the San Fernando Valley, containing about 10% of the blaze that spread to almost 900 acres, according to CalFire.
Crews made the most progress in fighting the Lidia Fire in Acton, about 50 miles north of downtown Los Angeles. That fire scorched about 350 acres, but CalFire said it was 40% contained.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said more than 7,500 firefighters, including crews from Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington state, are battling the flames.
More than 7,500 firefighting personnel are on the ground working with local and federal partners to respond to California's ongoing historic wildfires.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 9, 2025
Southern California residents — please remain vigilant tonight. Listen to local officials and be ready to evacuate if you're…
While mandatory evacuation orders are in effect for certain areas, officials told everyone in the area to pack a go-bag and be prepared to leave.
Celebrities among victims to lose homes in California wildfires
With tens of thousands of people impacted by the ongoing wildfires in California, come countless personal stories of loss, grief, shock and, in some cases, gratitude. Among those affected in the Los Angeles County and Hollywood area are some famous names.
Celebrities shared their accounts of the devastating scenes, something many said is like out of a movie.
“This Is Us” star Mandy Moore posted videos to her Instagram account of the fiery destruction in Altadena, writing, “I love you, Altadena. Grateful for my family and pets getting out last night before it was too late. Honestly, I’m in shock and feeling numb for all, so many have lost, including my family … our community is broken but we will be here to rebuild together.”
Paris Hilton posted a news clip from the local ABC station that showed her family’s home in Malibu being destroyed by flames.
“Seeing our home burn to the ground on live TV is something no one should ever have to experience. The devastation is unimaginable. To know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking,” Hilton wrote.
Actor Billy Crystal released a statement with his wife after losing his Pacific Palisades home.
“Janice and I lived in our home since 1979,” Crystal said. “We raised our children and grandchildren here. Every inch of our house was filled with love. Beautiful memories that can’t be taken away. We are heartbroken of course but with the love of our children and friends we will get through this.”
James Woods, who once starred on the television show “Shark,” openly wept in a CNN interview as he talked about his immense loss and the search for his neighbors.
As the fires spread across the hub of the entertainment world, organizers postponed multiple movie premieres, TV productions and award shows.
The Critics Choice Awards, originally scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 12, have been moved to Jan. 26. The Oscar nominations announcement was pushed back two days to Jan. 19.
An NHL hockey game involving the Los Angeles Kings was postponed Wednesday night. The NFL said it is monitoring the conditions as the Los Angeles Rams are slated to host a playoff game Monday night, Jan. 13.
Biden to deliver eulogy at Carter’s funeral, Trump to attend
On Thursday afternoon, President Joe Biden will deliver the eulogy at the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter at the Washington National Cathedral.
President-elect Donald Trump will also attend the funeral. Trump, along with his wife Melania, were among those to pay their respects as the 39th president was lying in state at the Capitol Rotunda on Wednesday.
After the funeral, Carter’s body will take one final trip back to his home state of Georgia where he will be buried next to his wife of 77 years, Rosalynn.
While in Washington on Wednesday, Trump held a private meeting with Republican senators at the Capitol to discuss a strategy for top priorities heading into his second term. While speaking to reporters, Trump called the wildfires in California “a true tragedy.”
Biden announced Wednesday he canceled his final international trip of his presidency. He said he will remain in Washington, D.C., to monitor the deadly fires in Southern California.
Biden was set to take part in a three-day trip to Rome and the Vatican where he would meet with Pope Francis and the Italian president. His announcement came just hours after meeting his first great-grandchild, born at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
Capitol police arrest man who brought machete to Jimmy Carter viewing
As thousands of Americans paid their respects to Carter at the Capitol, authorities arrested a man Wednesday at a security screening for people waiting to view the late president as he lies in state in Washington.
Capitol police said the man, identified as Washington resident Mel Horne, carried a machete and three knives in a bag. Authorities spotted the weapons as the bag went through an X-ray machine. Horne now faces multiple charges of carrying a dangerous weapon.
Capitol police also said officers arrested a Virginia man who lit a bag containing accelerants on fire on top of his car near the Capitol. They do not believe the two incidents were connected.
Port strike averted after tentative deal reached
Longshoremen reached a tentative new contract deal Wednesday with shipping and port companies along the East and Gulf Coasts of the U.S., averting a potentially crippling strike for now.
The United States Maritime Alliance, which represents ship lines and port operators, and union International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) said they’ve agreed on a six-year deal. However, the agreement is not official until ratified by union members.
The ILA represents 50,000 members who fill 25,000 jobs at 14 ports from Maine to Texas. If this deal wasn’t reached, port workers were set to go on strike beginning next Thursday, Jan. 16.
Port Strike Averted: Dockworkers and Shipping Companies Reach Tentative Deal, Ensuring Stability https://t.co/zxfevef1ds pic.twitter.com/qp9xZsZw83
— The ILA App (@TheILAmobileApp) January 9, 2025
Details of the agreement have not yet been publicly released, but sources close to the matter said it addresses a key sticking point for workers: automation.
In October, Longshoremen agreed to a wage increase of 62% over six years, and the two sides pushed other issues into 2025 to end a three-day strike.
Airbnb.org providing free, temporary housing for displaced California residents
Airbnb.org, the nonprofit founded by Airbnb, is providing free, temporary housing for people displaced by the Los Angeles County fires. The organization partnered with the non-profit 211 LA to connect those who lost their homes or have been forced to evacuate with a free place to stay.
Airbnb.org said over the past decade, it provided more than 1.5 million nights of emergency stays for about 250,000 people.
Tags: Automation, Football, Paris Hilton, Wages, evacuations, Entertainment, United States Maritime Alliance, International Longshoremen’s Association, Melania Trump, Arrest, disaster, abc news, Sports, Joe Biden, NFL, Donald Trump, Unions, Capitol Hill, Italy, Virginia, California, Texas, Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles, Jimmy Carter, Weapons, Oregon, Georgia, Washington, Hollywood, Wildfire, Airbnb, New Mexico, East Coast, Maine, Strike, Gulf Coast, X, Washington DC, movies, Television, Hollywood awards, Death, natural disaster, CNN, Pope Francis, NHL, Vatican
THIS MORNING — AT LEAST FIVE WILDFIRES ARE BURNING IN THE HEAVILY POPULATED LOS ANGELES AREA OF CALIFORNIA, DESTROYING THOUSANDS OF HOMES AND PUTTING MILLIONS OF LIVES IN DANGER.
AS OF THIS MORNING, FIVE PEOPLE HAVE DIED AND MORE THAN 100-THOUSAND HAVE BEEN FORCED TO FLEE FROM THEIR HOMES, AS DRY CONDITIONS AND STRONG WINDS PUSH THE FLAMES, OUT OF CONTROL, FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, BUILDING TO BUILDING.
THE NEWEST FIRE IS THE SUNSET FIRE, WHICH SPARKED LAST NIGHT IN THE FAMOUS HOLLYWOOD HILLS AREA.
THAT FIRE ENGULFING 60 ACRES, ACCORDING TO THE LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT. THIS MORNING IT IS ZERO PERCENT CONTAINED.
BUT IT’S THE PALISADES FIRE THAT REMAINS THE BIGGEST THREAT — NOW COVERING MORE THAN 17-THOUSAND ACRES AND ZERO CONTAINMENT
THE FLAMES AND SMOKE OVERWHELMINGLY FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS AS THE SANTA ANA WINDS, KEEP WHIPPING.
OFFICIALS SAY IT HAS DESTROYED AT LEAST ONE-THOUSAND BUILDINGS, SO FAR — MAKING IT THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IN LOS ANGELES HISTORY.
ONE DRIVER SAID ITS LIKE “DRIVING THROUGH HELL ITSELF” WITH FLAMES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY.
THE EATON FIRE NEAR PASADENA AND ALTADENA THAT HAS PROVED DEADLY — ALL FIVE DEATHS REPORTED ARE LINKED TO THAT FIRE.
IT NOW SPANS MORE THAN 10-THOUSAND ACRES AND IS ALSO ZERO PERCENT CONTAINED.
FIRE CREWS HAVE MADE HEADWAY ON THE HURST FIRE IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY.
IT’S NOW 10 PERCENT CONTAINED, HOWEVER, IT HAS SPREAD TO ALMOST 900 ACRES.
CREWS HAVE ALSO MADE THE MOST PROGRESS IN FIGHTING THE LIDIA FIRE, IN ACTON, ABOUT 50 MILES NORTH OF DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES.
THAT FIRE SCORCHING ABOUT 350 ACRES. ITS ABOUT 40 PERCENT CONTAINED, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST UPDATE.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SAYS MORE THAN SEVEN-THOUSAND FIREFIGHTERS ARE BATTLING THE FLAMES — INCLUDING CREWS FROM OREGON, NEW MEXICO, AND WASHINGTON STATE.
AND WHILE MANDATORY EVACUATION ORDERS ARE IN EFFECT FOR CERTAIN AREAS, OFFICIALS HAVE TOLD EVERYONE IN THE AREA TO PACK A GO-BAG AND BE PREPARED TO LEAVE.
WITH TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THE ONGOING WILDFIRES IN CALIFORNIA, COME COUNTLESS PERSONAL STORIES OF LOSS, GRIEF, SHOCK. AS WELL AS IN SOME CASES, GRATITUDE. AMONG THOSE IMPACTED IN THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY AND HOLLYWOOD AREA, NOT SURPRISINGLY ARE SOME FAMOUS NAMES : CELEBRITIES SHARING THEIR ACCOUNTS OF THE DEVASTATING SCENES – SOMETHING MANY SAY ARE LIKE OUT OF A MOVIE. WE KEEPING THE TERM : THE APOCOLYPSE.
“THIS IS US” STAR MANDY MOORE POSTING VIDEOS TO HER INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT OF THE FIERY DESTRUCTION IN ALTADENA, WRITING “I LOVE YOU, ALTADENA. GRATEFUL FOR MY FAMILY AND PETS GETTING OUT LAST NIGHT BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE. HONESTLY, I’M IN SHOCK AND FEELING NUMB FOR ALL, SO MANY HAVE LOST, INCLUDING MY FAMILY… OUR COMMUNITY IS BROKEN BUT WE WILL BE HERE TO REBUILD TOGETHER.”
PARIS HILTON POSTING A NEWS CLIP FROM THE LOCAL ABC STATION THAT SHOWED HER FAMILY’S HOME IN MALIBU GETTING DESTROYED BY FLAMES, WRITING QUOTE “SEEING OUR HOME BURN TO THE GROUND ON LIVE TV IS SOMETHING NO ONE SHOULD EVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE. THE DEVASTATION IS UNIMAGINABLE. TO KNOW SO MANY ARE WAKING UP TODAY WITHOUT THE PLACE THEY CALLED HOME IS TRULY HEARTBREAKING.”
AND ACTOR BILLY CRYSTAL RELEASING THIS STATEMENT WITH HIS WIFE AFTER LOSING HIS PACIFIC PALISADES HOME.
SAYING QUOTE
“JANICE AND I LIVED IN OUR HOME SINCE 1979. WE RAISED OUR CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN HERE. EVERY INCH OF OUR HOUSE WAS FILLED WITH LOVE.
BEAUTIFUL MEMORIES THAT CAN’T BE TAKEN AWAY. WE ARE HEARTBROKEN OF COURSE BUT WITH THE LOVE OF OUR CHILDREN AND FRIENDS WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS.”
AND ACTOR JAMES WOODS, WHO ONCE STARRED ON THE TELEVISION SHOW **SHARK**, OPENLY WEPT IN AN INTERVIEW ON CNN AS HE TALKED ABOUT HIS IMMENSE LOSS AND THE SEARCH FOR HIS NEIGHBORS.
AS THE FIRES SPREAD ACROSS THE HUB OF THE ENTERTAINMENT WORLD – ORGANIZERS HAVE POSTPONED MULTIPLE MOVIE PREMIERES, TV PRODUCTIONS, AND AWARD SHOWS. THE CRITICS CHOICE AWARDS, ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY., ARE NOW MOVED TO JANUARY 26TH, AND THE OSCAR NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCEMENT, PUSHED BACK TWO DAYS TO JANUARY 19TH. AN NHL HOCKEY GAME INVOLVING THE LOS ANGELES KINGS WAS POSTPONED LAST NIGHT. ALSO THE N-F-L IS MONITORING THE CONDITIONS AS THE LOS ANGELES RAMS ARE SLATED TO HOST A PLAYOFF GAME ON MONDAY NIGHT.
PRESIDENT BIDEN ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY HE HAS CANCELED HIS FINAL INTERNATIONAL TRIP OF HIS PRESIDENCY AS HE WILL REMAIN IN WASHINGTON D.C. TO MONITOR THE DEADLY FIRES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
BIDEN WAS SET TO TAKE PART IN A THREE-DAY TRIP TO ROME AND THE VATICAN WHERE HE WOULD MEET WITH POPE FRANCIS AND THE ITALIAN PRESIDENT.
HIS ANNOUNCEMENT CAME JUST HOURS AFTER MEETING HIS FIRST GREAT-GRANDCHILD, BORN AT CEDARS-SINAI MEDICAL CENTER IN LOS ANGELES.
LATER TODAY – THE PRESIDENT WILL DELIVER THE EULOGY AT THE STATE FUNERAL FOR FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER AT THE WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL.
PRESIDENT-ELECT DONALD TRUMP WILL ALSO BE ATTENDING THE FUNERAL. TRUMP, ALONG WITH HIS WIFE MELANIA, WERE AMONG THOSE TO PAY THEIR RESPECTS AS THE 39TH PRESIDENT WAS LYING IN STATE AT THE CAPITOL ROTUNDA ON WEDNESDAY.
AFTER THE FUNERAL — CARTER’S BODY WILL TAKE ONE FINAL TRIP BACK TO HIS HOME STATE OF GEORGIA WHERE HE WILL BE BURIED NEXT TO HIS WIFE OF 77 YEARS ROSALYNN.
WHILE IN D.C. TRUMP HELD A PRIVATE MEETING WITH REPUBLICAN SENATORS AT THE CAPITOL TO DISCUSS A STRATEGY FOR TOP PRIORITIES HEADING INTO HIS SECOND TERM. WHILE SPEAKING TO REPORTERS, TRUMP SPOKE ABOUT THE WILDFIRES IN CALIFORNIA- -CALLING THEM “A TRUE TRAGEDY.”
AS THOUSANDS OF AMERICANS PAID THEIR RESPECTS TO PRESIDENT CARTER AT THE CAPITOL — ONE MAN WAS ARRESTED WEDNESDAY AT A SECURITY SCREENING FOR PEOPLE WAITING TO VIEW THE LATE PRESIDENT AS HE LIES IN STATE IN WASHINGTON.
CAPITOL POLICE SAY THE MAN, IDENTIFIED AS D-C RESIDENT MEL HORNE, HAD A MACHETE AND THREE KNIVES IN A BAG — WHICH WERE SPOTTED AS IT WENT THROUGH AN X-RAY MACHINE AT ABOUT 2 P-M WEDNESDAY.
HE’S NOW FACING MULTIPLE CHARGES OF CARRYING A DANGEROUS WEAPON.
CAPITOL POLICE ALSO SAID OFFICERS ARRESTED A VIRGINIA MAN — WHO LIT A BAG CONTAINING ACCELERANTS ON FIRE ON TOP OF HIS CAR NEAR THE CAPITOL.
THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THE TWO INCIDENTS WERE CONNECTED.
A POTENTIALLY CRIPPLING STRIKE: AVERTED — FOR NOW.
LONGSHOREMEN REACHED A TENTATIVE NEW CONTRACT DEAL YESTERDAY WITH SHIPPING AND PORT COMPANIES ALONG THE EAST AND GULF COASTS OF THE U.S.
THE UNITED STATES MARITIME ALLIANCE — REPRESENTING SHIP LINES AND PORT OPERATORS — AND THE UNION, THE INTERNATIONAL LONGSHOREMEN’S ASSOCIATION SAY THEY’VE AGREED ON A SIX-YEAR DEAL.
HOWEVER, THE AGREEMENT IS NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL RATIFIED BY UNION MEMBERS.
THE I-L-A REPRESENTS 50-THOUSAND MEMBERS WHO FILL 25-THOUSAND JOBS AT 14 PORTS FROM MAINE TO TEXAS.
IF THIS DEAL HAD NOT BEEN REACHED — PORT WORKERS WERE SET TO GO ON STRIKE, BEGINNING NEXT THURSDAY.
DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT HAVE NOT YET BEEN PUBLICLY RELEASED, BUT SOURCES CLOSE TO THE MATTER SAY IT ADDRESSES A KEY STICKING POINT FOR WORKERS: AUTOMATION.
YOU’LL RECALL BACK IN OCTOBER THE LONGSHOREMAN AGREED TO A WAGE INCREASE OF 62 PERCENT OVER SIX YEARS. THE TWO SIDES THEN PUSHED THE OTHER ISSUES INTO 2025, TO END A THREE-DAY STRIKE.
FINALLY THIS MORNING – WITH ALL THE DESTRUCTION AND LOSS FROM THE WILDFIRES IN CALIFORNIA, WE LEAVE YOU WITH A SENSE OF COMMUNITY IN A TIME OF NEED.
AIR B-N-B DOT ORG – THE NONPROFIT FOUNDED BY THE COMPANY AIR B-N-B — IS PROVIDING FREE, TEMPORARY HOUSING FOR PEOPLE DISPLACED BY THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY FIRES.
THE ORGANIZATION HAS PARTNERED WITH NON-PROFIT 2-1-1 LA TO CONNECT THOSE WHO LOST THEIR HOMES, OR BEEN FORCED TO EVACUATE, WITH A FREE PLACE TO STAY.
AIR B-N-B DOT ORG SAYS OVER THE PAST DECADE IT HAS PROVIDED MORE THAN ONE-AND-A-HALF MILLION NIGHTS OF EMERGENCY STAYS FOR ABOUT 250,000 PEOPLE.
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