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Palisades Fire search efforts continue, containment rises in fight against deadly wildfire

LA County residents return to their neighborhoods after wildfires
LA County residents return to their neighborhoods after wildfires 02:19

Firefighters are still working to contain the Palisades Fire as weather conditions improve this week and search efforts continue in the wildfire which has killed at least 10 people and burned over 23,000 acres.

On Friday, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that civic leader Steve Soboroff — a former police commissioner and advisor to late former Mayor Richard Riordan, who was a driving force in the development of the STAPLES Center and Playa Vista — would lead the city's rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire as chief recovery officer. 

The devastating fire erupted Jan. 7 amid a powerful windstorm forecasters warned would be the worst the Southern California region has faced in more than a decade. With winds reaching up to 40 mph in the coastal Los Angeles County community, the blaze started near the 1100 block of North Piedra Morada Drive around 10:30 a.m. before quickly spreading as strong gusts carried the flames forward.

The wildfire exploded to 200 acres within an hour, leading to mandatory evacuations that sent thousands fleeing. About 30 vehicles were abandoned on Sunset Boulevard, near where it meets the Pacific Coast Highway, as drivers got out of their cars to escape the area. Some said firefighters told them to leave their cars so they could get out while the PCH was shut down. 

"The fire came right down to the road and the fire department came up and said, 'Get out of your cars now' — because the fire was right up against the cars," Marsha Horowitz, a driver who was going down Sunset, said that day.

Homes, stores, schools and beloved landmarks have been burned to the ground in Malibu and Pacific Palisades. Over the weekend, a flare-up led to the wildfire moving toward Mandeville Canyon, leading to evacuations in Brentwood and Encino as the blaze started threatening communities beyond the coastline and neighboring Santa Monica Mountains. 

Los Angeles Exteriors And Landmarks - 2025
View of damaged structures and homes caused by the Palisades Fire on Jan. 14, 2025 in Malibu, Calif. Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Watch: SkyCal offers aerial look at Pacific Palisades neighborhoods impacted by fire

On Thursday, the Los Angeles Fire Department announced the lifting of some mandatory evacuation orders, saying residents who return to these areas should bring photo IDs and proof of residency to get through. While some residents are being let back in, authorities have said these areas may remain hazardous — LAFD has warned of trees and poles that could still be smoldering.

"If you see electrical wires on the ground, stay clear and contact Edison immediately. Power may be out when you return home," reads the statement issued by LAFD just after 2 p.m. Thursday. "Please use caution in these areas... Fire crews and utility companies will remain in the area to mitigate fire concerns, restore utilities, and bolster infrastructure."  

A list of the areas where evacuations were being lifted Thursday afternoon can be found here

Have a tip about the Southern California wildfires? Send it to CBS News Los Angeles and KCAL News.

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed 10 deaths Thursday in connection with the Palisades Fire, a number that has grown in the last week as deputies continue search efforts with K-9 units. Authorities have said a grid search over the area started Tuesday. Last week, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna warned that the death toll could rise in the coming days.

In total, 38 people have been reported missing, according to police. As of Thursday morning, seven people are still missing, authorities said. Of the individuals who still haven't been found, LAPD Commander Steven Embrich said they have "most likely been found deceased but have not yet been positively identified." 

While some mandatory evacuations remain, firefighting efforts continued Wednesday amid a relatively rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Red Flag warning. Low humidity was a major concern, bringing wildfire risks and potentially complicating firefighting efforts, even as winds have calmed this week. 

A weather advisory warning of winds of up to 25 mph to 35 mph and gusts reaching 45 to 55 mph was still in effect for the Malibu coast and Pacific Palisades on Wednesday. But the following day, the wind advisory and red flag warning were both lifted — winds dying down and conditions expected to improve until wildfire-prone weather returns next week, according to forecasters.

With fire hydrants running dry in the Palisades when the wildfire started, some local leaders have faced criticism and it was later revealed the nearby 117-million-gallon Santa Ynez Reservoir was empty and under renovation at the time. Gov. Gavin Newsom has called for an investigation into the lack of water available and loss of water pressure. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles City Council voted to order an analysis of the city's water infrastructure as well as an independent report on the wildfire response.

The cause of the blaze remains under investigation, authorities said.

Meanwhile, the battle against the Eaton Fire, which sparked just hours after the Palisades Fire on Jan. 7, continues after the wildfire became one of the deadliest in California history. On Thursday, coroner's officials confirmed 17 lives were lost in the fire, most of them in the hard-hit community of Altadena just north of Pasadena. 

Where does the wildfire stand now?

On Sunday evening, the Palisades Fire was estimated to be 23,713 acres and 56% contained, according to numbers from Cal Fire. Its acreage remained the same, not growing any further, since last Sunday evening

"Weather conditions return to seasonally normal, and fire is expected to remain within the current perimeter with no additional growth anticipated," reads Cal Fire's Thursday update. "With the returning Santa Ana winds Monday, widespread critical fire weather conditions remain present."

According to Cal Fire, aerial footage shows that roughly 5,000 structures — including homes and entire buildings as well as small structures like garages and sheds — have been damaged or destroyed. So far, as of Thursday evening, the state fire agency has reported a total of 2,869 structures completely destroyed and another 508 damaged.

But fire officials have said damage assessments are ongoing so those are not expected to be the final figures. 

Firefighters continue to build and strengthen containment lines along the perimeter of the blaze, fire authorities said. 

During a Wednesday news conference, fire officials said more than 5,000 firefighters were still assigned to the Palisades Fire, working to put out isolated hot spots and staying on alert for the potential risk of new wildfires.

"These firefighters, nonetheless, have emerged bruised, battered, beaten," Los Angeles Fire Department Assistant Chief Joe Everett told reporters during a Wednesday news conference at Zuma Beach. "I really find that a true testament of the relentless battle they have just endured. So keep them in your prayers, keep them in your hearts. They're working hard for you."

How weather conditions are looking

On Wednesday evening, a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" Red Flag warning expired, relieving the area of weather-related wildfire risks for the next few days. Weather conditions are expected to continue improving into the weekend, forecasters say.

"Finally, today, those winds are finally relaxing ... We're not expecting — at least for several days — any critical fire conditions for the area," National Weather Service Meteorologist Rich Thompson said Wednesday, saying cooler and less dry conditions should help firefighting efforts over the weekend.

However, that's expected to change early next week, when strong Santa Ana winds and Red Flag warnings are in the forecast.

"But then, unfortunately, beginning Sunday night and continuing through most of next week, those Santa Ana winds are gonna return once again," Thompson said. "Right now, there's a decent chance of moderate Santa Ana winds and about a 20% chance of strong Santa Ana winds at times next week."

"And with those Santa Ana winds, you can expect the high potential for widespread critical fire conditions," he said.

Powerful Winds Fuel Multiple Fires Across Los Angeles Area
A man watches the flames from the Palisades Fire burning homes on the Pacific Coast Highway amid a powerful windstorm on Jan. 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, Calif.  Apu Gomes / Getty Images

Evacuations and emergency shelters

All areas under mandatory and voluntary evacuation orders are also under a curfew order from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. each evening, according to fire officials. FEMA opened a Disaster Resource Center, where evacuees and survivors can find emergency and recovery resources, at the UCLA campus on Tuesday. 

  • UCLA Research Park West
    10850 West Pico Blvd.
    Los Angeles, CA 90064
    Hours of operation – Daily: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The latest updates on evacuation orders and resources for those affected can be found here

Below is a real-time map of ongoing mandatory evacuation orders and warnings. 

Evacuation Shelters

Ritchie Valens Recreation Center
10736 Laurel Canyon Boulevard
Pacoima, CA 91331

Pasadena Convention Center
300 E Green Street
Pasadena, CA 91101

Stoner Recreation Center
1835 Stoner Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Westwood Recreation Center
1350 South Sepulveda Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Pomona Fairplex (Gate 3)
601 W McKinley Ave
Pomona, CA 91768

Van Nuys/Sherman Oaks Recreation Center
14201 Huston Street
Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Animal Evacuation Shelters

Small Animals:

  • El Camino High School, 5440 Valley Circle Blvd, Woodland Hills
  • American Red Cross Sheltering Site with mobile animal shelter (small animals only)
  • Agoura Animal Care Center, 29525 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills
  • Baldwin Park Animal Care Center, 4275 Elton St, Baldwin Park
  • Carson Animal Care Center, 216 W Victoria St, Gardena
  • Castaic Animal Care Center, 31044 Charlie Canyon, Castaic
  • Downey Animal Care Center, 11258 Garfield Ave, Downey
  • Lancaster Animal Care Center, 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster
  • Palmdale Animal Care Center, 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale

Large Animals:

  • Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona
  • Industry Hills Expo, 16200 Temple Ave, City of Industry
  • Castaic Animal Care Center, 31044 Charlie Canyon, Castaic
  • Pico Rivera Sports Arena, 11003 Sports Arena Dr, Pico Rivera

Road closures

The Pacific Coast Highway remains shut down while some LA County roads are still closed due to the fire. 

Below is a map of road closures around LA County.

School closures

Malibu schools will remain closed until Tuesday, Jan. 21, according to the city of Malibu. While city officials released that update Wednesday morning, the Los Angeles Unified School District announced a day earlier that some schools are being relocated.

Palisades Charter Elementary and Marquez Charter Elementary — with teachers, staff, students and their families displaced by the fire — were relocated to Brentwood Science Magnet Elementary and Nora Sterry Elementary beginning Wednesday, according to LAUSD. 

"Schools will have a regular day, as teachers have worked around the clock to prepare classrooms," an LAUSD statement reads.

Seven LAUSD schools which are still closed are also going to be temporarily relocated. Below is a list of the campuses. 

  • Topanga Elementary to Woodland Hills Academy
  • Canyon Charter Elementary to Brockton Elementary School
  • Kenter Canyon Elementary to Emerson Middle School
  • Lanai Road Elementary to Portola Middle School
  • Roscomare Road Elementary to Warner Elementary School
  • Community Charter Magnet to Westwood Elementary School
  • Paul Revere Middle to University High School Charter
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