Los Angeles-area wildfires: Updates from Jan. 8, 2025

Biden has formally signed off on a federal disaster declaration

Los Angeles-area wildfires: Updates from Jan. 8, 2025, Biden has officially signed off on a federal disaster declaration The White House says the declaration opens up federal funding to be made available to affected individuals in Los Angeles County for temporary housing and home repairs as well as low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs aimed at helping individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

Multiple states sending firefighters

At a media briefing Wednesday afternoon, firefighters from various states have arrived or are on the way to help with the fires, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said.

He said 60 teams were coming from Oregon, 45 from Washington state, 15 from Utah, 10 from New Mexico, and "numerous" teams were coming from Arizona.

What are the risks associated with wildfire smoke?

The wildfire smoke increases tiny particles in the air known as particulate matter, which is hazardous to human health. More susceptible to its effects are children, the elderly, and those suffering from conditions such as heart and lung disease.

This is no longer just a health issue for those who can get out," assistant medical director for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, Dr. Puneet Gupta, says. "Wildfire smoke is already known to induce heart attacks and exacerbate asthma. Burning homes also release cyanide and carbon dioxide." When hospitals are filled due to flu season, many of these patients are showing up in emergency rooms. And some could also face evacuation themselves.

READ MORE: Live updates: Los Angeles wildfires kill at least 5

Mandy Moore and Paris Hilton are among stars who’ve lost homes

Uncontrolled wildfires were raging in and around Los Angeles, having already charred several celebrity homes, forcing stars such as Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore, and James Woods to evacuate.

Moore, Cary Elwes, and Paris Hilton are among the few stars who said on Wednesday that they had lost their homes in the fires.

Honestly, shocked and numb about all who's lost; to add family here is added - Moore, writes in the captions accompanying her post on Instagram on the devastating view of Altadena, that neighborhood that exists just nearby the Pasadena as, "our community is broken; but here's the promise in being; a chance that binds and returns this home on which lies". adding up "We wish you, my heart- thanks and gratitude.".

She said among the lost homes to the flames was a Malibu home where her young son took his first steps.

"The devastation is unimaginable, to know so many are waking up today without the place they called home is truly heartbreaking," she wrote.

Another fire has broken out in the Hollywood Hills, officials say

As officials gave a media update on the fires around 5:50 p.m., Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley announced that a new blaze had broken out in the Hollywood Hills near Runyon Canyon.

She said all available resources were responding and excused herself to attend to that blaze.

All Los Angeles Unified School District schools will be closed Thursday

All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District will be closed Thursday because of the fires, district Superintendent Alberto Carvalho said during a media briefing Wednesday.

Two district elementary schools were destroyed by the fires, he said.

The district said on its website: "The confluence of factors – wind, fire, and smoke – have created dangerous, complex situations that present unsafe conditions for our school communities.".

100,000 people have received notices to evacuate due to Eaton fire, officials say

Authorities provided an update Wednesday afternoon regarding the Eaton fire near Pasadena, which erupted under high winds on Tuesday, and at least five were killed.

Here's what they report:

The fire has burned about 16.5 square miles (42.7 square kilometers) and still is not contained.
Between 200 and 500 structures were damaged or destroyed
About 100,000 evacuated.
At least five school campuses in Altadena have been highly scorched.
Embers whipped by gusts in the 70-mph range set dozens of fires Tuesday night, block after block, as they were blown through the air.
750 firefighters are at the scene; more are arriving.
More than 250 pets have been sheltered at Pasadena Humane Society during the past 24 hours.

Weather conditions conducive to fires to continue through Friday, forecasters say

The National Weather Service said gusty winds and very dry conditions would continue to fuel fires in the Los Angeles area.

Forecasters predicted wind gusts of 35-55 mph (56-88 kph), potentially stronger in the mountains and foothills. Meteorologists said Los Angeles and Ventura counties would have weather conducive to fire through Friday - low relative humidity, strong winds, unstable air, and drought.

But winds have abated to a point where aircraft can be summoned in to help try to gain control of the fires, Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustine said.

"Tonight we have very mild wind conditions where we can get aircraft and a ton of additional resources getting their hands around this fire," Augustin said. "That's what gives me confidence that we're going to get a handle on this fire."

It remained a hot one by saying it is an active fire that risks the fire over a second day.

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Los Angeles-area wildfires: Updates from Jan. 8, 2025