Deadly LA Fires Expand Amid Rising Winds, Thousands Evacuated

The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles, California, continued its destructive path on January 11, 2025, with smoke billowing over the Getty Museum as the blaze advanced into new neighborhoods. The fire, the most extensive in the area, has forced additional evacuations and shattered hopes of containment. Since January 7, the city has faced multiple fires that have claimed at least 11 lives and destroyed thousands of homes. President Joe Biden compared the devastation to a “war zone.”

Intense firefighting efforts continue, yet the expanding flames around the eastern boundary, near the Getty Center art museum, have triggered further evacuation orders. Firefighters remain on high alert as winds are expected to intensify, posing the risk of spreading embers and igniting dry vegetation.

Frustration among residents has surged as they seek accountability for the disaster’s impact. Nicole Perri, a Pacific Palisades resident who lost her home, expressed feeling abandoned by officials. Similarly, James Brown, a retired lawyer from Altadena, criticized the authorities’ preparedness.

In response, California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an independent review of the situation, highlighting concerns over water shortages during the initial outbreaks. Looting has added to the crisis, prompting authorities to enforce a dusk-to-dawn curfew in evacuation zones. Over 24 arrests have already been made, with some residents organizing armed patrols to protect their homes.

The California fire agency reported five active wildfires, consuming more than 37,000 acres and demolishing approximately 12,000 structures. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed 11 fatalities, with expectations that the toll will rise.

President Biden emphasized the gravity of the disaster, describing the aftermath as reminiscent of a wartime scenario with targeted destruction. Among the affected were celebrities like Mel Gibson, Paris Hilton, and Billy Crystal, who lost their homes, while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were seen offering support to victims.

The Palisades Fire remained only 8% contained as of Saturday morning, having scorched over 21,600 acres. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned of worsening conditions as winds are predicted to pick up again. The exact cause of the fires remains under investigation.

President Biden criticized misinformation circulating online, indirectly referring to comments from incoming President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Governor Newsom has invited Trump to visit the disaster zone, emphasizing the need to avoid politicizing the tragedy.

Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has partly attributed the crisis to funding cuts, which have left firefighting services under-resourced. While wildfires can occur naturally, experts emphasize that human-driven climate change has intensified their frequency and severity.

Friday also saw authorities apologize for mistakenly sending mass evacuation alerts to millions of phones, which caused widespread panic.