Last Update January 14, 2025 03:26am ET

Dangerous Santa Ana winds are expected to return to the Los Angeles area this week, potentially fueling the growth of new and existing wildfires, according to FOX Weather.

Covered by: Greg Norman, Elizabeth Pritchett, Andrea Margolis, Landon Mion, Michael Ruiz, Aubrie Spady , Audrey Conklin, Melissa Rudy and Brooke Curto

Fast Facts

•  The death toll in Los Angeles has risen to 24 as firefighters continue to battle wildfires across Southern California on Monday. 
•  There are currently three active wildfires in Los Angeles County: the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire and the Hurst Fire. 
•  Santa Ana winds are expected to return to the Los Angeles area this week, which could fuel the growth of the fires. 

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7 hour(s) ago

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California state leader calls out Newsom for ‘lumping together’ wildfire relief, anti-Trump session

California Governor Gavin Newsom, center, surveys damage in Pacific Palisades with CalFire’s Nick Schuler, left, and State Senator Alex Padilla during the Palisades Fire on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, CA. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

The California State Senate Minority Leader lambasted Gov. Newsom for “lumping together” a special session about suing President-elect Trump with wildfire relief.

Newsom “recently expanded the current special session that was focused on suing the Trump administration to also include Los Angeles wildfire relief,” according to State Sen. Brian Jones, R-Calif.

“I’m encouraged that Governor Newsom heard our calls to take action on the LA wildfires in a special session,” Jones said in a statement. “However, lumping this emergency response together with a politically motivated special session to sue Trump is unnecessary and, frankly, insulting to those struggling through this disaster.”

“Fire victims deserve a response that is both respectful and non-partisan, but instead, Newsom is politicizing a tragic crisis that should focus solely on aiding those in need,” the Republican added. “Sadly, these special session bills will likely include inappropriate provisions targeting the incoming federal administration alongside vital disaster relief for Californians.”

Posted by Andrea Margolis Share

41 min(s) ago

Los Angeles veterinarian’s family living at clinic after losing home in Palisades Fire

Getty Images

A Los Angeles veterinarian and his family are now sleeping on the floor of the veterinary clinic after losing their home to the Palisades Fire sweeping through Southern California.

Henry Pasternak and his family, who have operated the Pasternak Veterinary Center in west Los Angeles for two decades, are continuing to care for animals that have been displaced and impacted by the fires.

“I didn’t think I would ever lose my childhood home, all my childhood memories” his daughter, Ellie Rose Pasternak, told Fox 11. She said the family has been staying at the clinic for nearly a week since their house burned down.

“This is my whole entire childhood and most of my adulthood,” she added.

The clinic remains open and is continuing to offer support to animals needing help.

The family said the clinic has more space for additional animals that have been displaced in the fire. They are also accepting donations, including dog beds, toys and food.

“We’ve been taking in pets, they’re allowed to board here,” Ellie Rose Pasternak said. “We have some empty cages here and even have some runs in the back where the dogs can move around.”

Posted by Landon Mion Share

1 hour(s) ago

Auto Fire in Ventura County burns nearly 56 acres, forward progress halted

Firefighters in Ventura County have stopped forward progress on the Auto Fire, a small wildfire that broke out Monday night.

The Ventura County Fire Department’s public information department made the announcement at 10:45 p.m. local time, approximately three hours after the fire ignited in a river bottom off North Ventura Boulevard. No structures were threatened by the flames.

The fire burned 55.7 acres, according to VCFD, and is 0% contained.

Crews from VCFD, Ventura City Fire, Oxnard Fire and Federal Fire Ventura County are at the scene extinguishing hotspots and working to increase containment.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Posted by Elizabeth Pritchett Share

1 hour(s) ago

14K acres burned, 2,700 structures destroyed in Eaton Fire as damage assessment 30% completed

AP

The Los Angeles County Fire Department provided an update on the Eaton Fire Monday night, as the damage assessment is at 30% completion, stating that there were 15 civilian fatalities and more than 2,700 structures had been destroyed in the blaze.

More than 14,100 acres were burned in the fire, which the fire department said has 33% containment. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

In addition to the civilian fatalities, five firefighters were injured while attempting to put out the fire.

The fire department said 329 structures were damaged and nearly 39,500 are threatened.

Posted by Landon Mion Share

2 hour(s) ago

Angeles National Forest in Southern California closed until Sunday due to wildfires

Getty Images

The Angeles National Forest located in Southern California has extended its closure to Sunday in response to wildfires sweeping through the area.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service said the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountain National Monument are temporarily closed for public safety and the protection of natural resources from midnight Tuesday through midnight Sunday.

Going into the forest or being on any National Forest System road or trail within the Angeles National Forest is prohibited during that time frame, with exceptions for government leaders or members of firefighting or rescue groups responding to the fires.

Violators could face fines of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months of imprisonment or both.

Posted by Landon Mion Share

3 hour(s) ago

Lakers, Clippers host games in Southern California after games were postponed amid wildfires

AP

The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers both returned to their home courts on Monday for the first NBA games in the Los Angeles area since wildfires devastated the area and forced games to be postponed.

The Lakers hosted the San Antonio Spurs on Monday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles but were defeated in their return to their home court while the Clippers were victorious when they played host to the Miami Heat at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.

This comes after Saturday’s games in Southern California were postponed in response to the fires.

The Lakers were initially scheduled to host the Spurs on Saturday in the first of two consecutive games between the two teams and the Clippers were supposed to host the Charlotte Hornets. The Lakers also had a game previously scheduled for Thursday against the Hornets pushed back.

JJ Redick, head coach of the Lakers, said he was grateful to return to the sidelines for the first time in nearly a week after he and his family lost their rental home in the Pacific Palisades and many of their belongings in the fires Tuesday.

“I think a group functions best when you draw strength from each other, and the way my players, my staff, the organization has supported, rallied around me, rallied around the city … there’s real strength in that,” Redick told reporters. “That’s the receiving of strength. Then it’s our job to go give strength and give hope and give joy. Sports are a lot of things, and sports can certainly provide an escape and a distraction. Hopefully sports tonight can provide some joy as well.”

Reddick added that he has been “overwhelmed with the amount of support and love and generosity that people have shown to me and my family, and really all families that have been affected by this.”

Posted by Landon Mion