What to Know
- A red flag warning remains in effect until Tuesday for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
- An emergency order issued Tuesday seeks to clear wildfire debris in neighborhoods ahead of winter storms.
- A Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) warning signifies life-threatening fire weather conditions, with the potential for rapid fire spread and extreme behavior
- The Eaton Fire in the Altadena area was 89-percent contained with an acreage estimate of 14,000. The Palisades Fire on the LA County coast was 23,700 acres with containment at 63 percent.
- Some evacuations were downgraded to resident-only access in the Palisades Fire area.
- The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a Windblown Dust and Ash Advisory through 10 p.m. Tuesday.
- President Trump briefly mentioned the deadly fires in his inaugural address as he took office for a second time in Washington, D.C.
Firefighters increase containment of the Eaton Fire and Palisades Fire. See below for live updates.
Couple that lost home to Palisades Fire unable to get FEMA assistance after identity theft
By Robert Kovacik and Karla Rendon
A family trying to reclaim what they lost in the Palisades Fire have been blocked from getting aid from FEMA due to a stolen identity. Robert Kovacik reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
A family that lost everything to the Palisades Fire has been victimized – this time by a fraudster who filed a FEMA claim on their property after stealing their identity.
Stefan and Judy Zweig are navigating the loss of their Pacific Palisades home following the fire. It’s where they say they raised their children and where they wanted to spend the rest of their lives.
“It was perfect for us, it was perfect,” Stefan said.
Amid their loss, Stefan, who is a doctor and USC professor, went to apply for disaster relief this week but was given the unsettling news that his identity was stolen. The individual or group behind the theft filed for disaster assistance already under his name.
Death toll rises to 28
By Karla Rendon
LA communities at risk of ash blowing their way due to fires
Motion introduced to review LA County's emergency alert system
By Karla Rendon
Firefighters respond to brush fire in Jurupa Valley
By Karla Rendon
Firefighters quickly responded to a brush fire along the Santa Ana River in Jurupa Valley. Amber Frias reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
Firefighters in Riverside County responded to a fire that broke out Tuesday evening in Jurupa Valley.
The Clay Fire was reported at about 5 p.m. near the Santa Ana River, along Van Buren Boulevard and Pedley Road, according to Cal Fire. The fire was about 3 miles away from Riverside Municipal Airport.
As a result, the following areas are under an evacuation warning:
The Riverside Fire Department said forward progress of the fire had stopped before 9 p.m.
TCL Chinese Theatre will screen classic films to aid fire relief
By Alysia Gray Painter
Hearing the first few notes of the theme to 1978's "Superman," a swelling and superb piece composed by the legendary John Williams, can inspire most any film fan to feel a lump in the throat, a tear in the eye, and a sense that something authentically heroic and inspirational is afoot.
And something inspirational is, in fact, afoot: The moving music will herald a meaningful give-back effort when it sounds again at the TCL Chinese Theatre at a special screening: The beloved film will raise funds to help those impacted by the Los Angeles fires.
The Hollywood landmark announced that two films — the Richard Donner-directed "Superman" and filmmaker Stanley Kubrick's "2001: A Space Odyssey" — will be shown Jan. 25, with all proceeds being donated to "LA Wildfire Victim Funds."
This isn't only about ticket sales, though all funds raised from admission will be donated to fire relief efforts; all sales from the concessions stand will also play a role in helping first responders, fire evacuees, and those affected by the crisis.
A year's worth of green waste, overnight. How Pasadena is clearing debris before the rain
By Lolita Lopez and Maggie More
Exposed hillsides left by the brush fires in Los Angeles County have officials scrambling to clear the debris before any potential rain arrives. Lolita Lopez reports for the NBC4 News at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025.
First there was wind, then there was fire -- and the combination had devastating effects on livelihoods that were built through sweat, dedication and love over decades.
Now, the potential rain forecasted in the Los Angeles area has created another risk: Mudslides, and floods, made possible because of the hillsides burned during the Eaton and Palisades fires and the windstorm before the fires.
The double-hit disasters left behind thousands of tons of debris, and exposed hillsides, throughout the community.
The city of Los Angeles, LA County and others are now putting in extra work to make sure they can get the affected neighborhoods cleaned up before any rain falls, carrying huge piles of mud and vegetation down those open hills.
Update: San Diego battles three small brush fires
By Benjamin Papp
San Diego fire crews continue to battle two small brush fires throughout the region Tuesday afternoon. A third has now been fully contained.
The Lilac Fire in Bonsall - the largest of the three - has burned 80 acres at 30% containment. The surrounding area is still on an evacuation order or warning.
Just slightly South the Pala Fire is now fully contained and no longer a threat to nearby residents. The small brush fire torched 16.8 acres near Pala Mesa.
The Friars Fire near downtown San Diego and Misson Bay has scorched 3 acres at 0% containment.
New Palisades Fire zones opened to repopulation
By Benjamin Papp
Watch NBC Los Angeles News live on your big screen
The ash left behind by the Los Angeles wildfires might be toxic, experts warn
By The Associated Press
ALTADENA CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 19: An aerial view of neighborhoods in ruins in the wake of the deadly Eaton Fire on January 19, 2025 in Altadena, California. An estimated 9,366 structures burned in the Eaton Fire and another 4,996 destroyed in the Palisades Fire. The Eaton Fire has killed at least 17 people while the Palisades Fire took at least 10 more lives. Historic wildfires driven by dry conditions and powerful Santa Ana winds broke out on January 7, quickly destroying homes and businesses by the thousands. Another Santa Ana wind event is forecast for this week. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Toni Boucher threw up the first time she saw the charred remains of her home and neighborhood after this month’s deadly Los Angeles-area wildfires. Now she wonders if it’s worth it to go back to sift through the ashes and try to find her grandmother’s wedding ring.
It’s not just that she’s worried about the trauma she experienced from seeing the destruction in Altadena, where Boucher, 70, has lived for decades. She is also concerned about possible health risks.
“They talk about asbestos and they’re talking about lead and they’re talking about all of the things that have burned in the loss of the homes and the danger of that,” Boucher said.
Experts warn that the blazes unleashed complex chemical reactions on paint, furniture, building materials, cars, electronics and other belongings, turning ordinary objects into potentially toxic ash that requires protective gear to handle safely. The ash could include harmful lead, asbestos or arsenic, as well as newer synthetic materials.
How Tiptoe the tortoise escaped the Palisades Fire just in time
By Benjamin Papp
The 23-year-old African Sulcata tortoise was originally given to 7-year-old Doran as a Christmas present.
“Slow and steady.”
That’s the phrase caretaker Caitlin Doran uses to describe Palisades local and internet celebrity Tiptoe the tortoise, and the community she loves so much.
The 23-year-old African Sulcata tortoise was originally given to 7-year-old Doran as a Christmas present. It was the birth of a Palisades icon.
At the time, he was no larger than the size of a new iPhone. He’s since grown to a whopping 175 lbs and amassed an even more impressive internet following.
Comedians will raise funds to help fire-impacted pets receive veterinary care
By Alysia Gray Painter
The Annenberg PetSpace in Playa Vista is tail-waggingly synonymous with "Stand Up for Pets," the every-so-often comedy nights that help give back to animals in need.
These evenings have been raising vibes, and the occasional bark — dogs are most welcome to attend — for a few years now. But the Jan. 22 "Stand Up for Pets" is a timely and tender-hearted response to the Los Angeles fires that began Jan. 7.
Actor David Koechner — you've enjoyed his work in "Anchorman" and oodles of funny things — will host, while a pet-loving line-up of quippy pros will take the stage.
The evening's beneficiary is California Animal Medicine Project (CAMP), all to "... support free vet care for pets affected by the Los Angeles wildfires."
What to know when returning home after an evacuation
By Jonathan Lloyd
Resources for LA Wildfire victims and first responders
By Maggie More
Evacuation warnings lifted for some Eaton Fire areas
By Jonathan Lloyd
Tickets, artist lineup and more. What to know about the LA FireAid concerts
it’s been nearly two weeks since the start of the historic wildfires in Southern California, here’s a look back at the moments captured in the first 24 hours of the devastation. Photographer Sean Browning reports for the NBC4 News at 11 p.m. on Jan. 19, 2025.
Official venue lineups were announced Tuesday for the FireAid Los Angeles County wildfire relief concerts this month at two Inglewood venues.
The two FireAid LA shows will be held concurrently Jan. 30 at the Intuit Dome and Kia Forum to benefit people affected by two of the most destructive wildfires on record in California.
Here are the artists and where to see them perform.
The Intuit Dome concert is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
Zooey Deschanel loses childhood home in Palisades Fire
Man detained after Griffith Park arson fire held on unrelated charges
Firefighters protected nearby homes from a brush fire Jan. 20, 2025 in Griffith Park not far from the Observatory.
The LAPD said Tuesday a man arrested by officers after a small brush fire burned in Griffith Park was booked on unrelated warrants, and there was not enough probable cause to hold him on suspicion of starting the fire.
Kevin A. Calderon, 26, was detained by officers about a mile from the scene of the fire and was being held on two misdemeanor warrants.
"Not enough probable cause was established to arrest for arson," the LAPD said.
Prosecutors had not yet considered Tuesday whether or not there was enough evidence to file a charge related to the fire.
PDS red flag warning expires for LA and Ventura counties
A Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) red flag warning for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties has expired. The PDS alert indicates fire danger beyond the typical red flag warning.
Dangerous fire weather conditions will continue with a standard red flag warning in effect until 10 p.m. Tuesday. A fire weather watch remains in effect through Thursday evening.
Emergency order issued to clear LA wildfire debris ahead of winter rain
By Jonathan Lloyd
The order was issued to clear debris ahead of winter storms. John Cádiz Klemack reports for the NBC4 News at 11 a.m. on Tuesday Jan. 21, 2025.
An emergency order was issued Tuesday to prepare for possible rainstorms in neighborhoods damaged by January wildfires in Los Angeles.
Mayor Karen Bass' order is an effort, among other things, to shore up hillsides and remove wildfire debris ahead of a system bringing a slight chance of rain this weekend.
"With rain in the forecast, it’s imperative we take aggressive action to prevent additional damage in burn areas and to protect our water and ocean from hazardous runoff," Bass said. "I'm directing city crews to swiftly install reinforced concrete barriers, lay down sandbags and clear debris to shore up burn areas and stem the flow of toxins. These communities have already endured unimaginable loss – we are taking action against further harm."
The order will be carried out in coordination with LA County and state agencies involved in wildfire relief and preparing for what's next. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a similar order Monday.
Tax filing deadline extended for Los Angeles businesses
By Jonathan Lloyd
Small smoke plume rises from brush below Mount Wilson
By Jonathan Lloyd
Smoke could be seen rising from brush Tuesday morning in a canyon below Mount Wilson. Video broadcast Tuesday Jan. 21, 2025 on NBC4.
Smoke could be seen rising from brush Tuesday morning in a canyon below Mount Wilson. The thin plume was below a recent burn area.
3 wildfires burn in San Diego County
By Jonathan Lloyd
Firefighters are attacking three wildfires Tuesday in San Diego County. They include the 80-acre Lilac Fire that started early Tuesday morning near Old Hwy 395 and Lilac Road in Bonsall and the 16-acre Pala Fire near Old Hwy 395 and Canonita Drive in Fallbrook.
Winds to ease tonight, but will pick up Wednesday afternoon
By Belen De Leon
Santa Ana winds are still going strong today, with gusts reaching up to 80 mph in some mountain areas.
San Diego County even recorded a peak gust of 102 mph.
The winds will ease tonight and into Wednesday but will pick up again Wednesday afternoon through Thursday, though not as intense, with gusts closer to 50–60 mph.
Humidity levels inland are staying incredibly low, around 5%, which means fire danger remains high through Thursday, even as the winds die down a bit by Friday.
Eaton Fire containment nears 90 percent
By Jonathan Lloyd
What to carry in a ‘go bag' as strong winds and fire danger persist
Three Malibu schools remain closed due to power outage
By Brittany Hope
Four schools in Malibu were supposed to start in-person learning again Tuesday morning for the first time since the Palisades fire began, but three will remain closed. Brittany Hope reports for the NBC4 News at 6 a.m. on Jan. 21, 2025.
Four schools in Malibu were supposed to start in-person learning again Tuesday morning for the first time since the Palisades fire began.
However, three of those schools are staying closed and will be doing distance learning due to power outages.
At some schools, the lights are back on and power is working.
But that’s not the case for Malibu Elementary, Malibu Middle School, and Malibu High School that are still in the dark.
Malibu schools impacted by Palisades Fire to reopen Tuesday
By Karla Rendon
Strong morning gusts take aim for Southern California
By David Biggar
If you have the wind right now, you'll still have it on Tuesday morning. Our wind-prone areas will see some strong gusts of 40 to 50 mph, with isolated 60+ gusts, start to develop during the early morning hours. Most of the strongest gusts will be for the mountains, passes, and canyons.
Some of these gusts will be enough to cause tree damage and might knock out power.
Gust intensity will start to come down during the afternoon, but fire danger remains through Thursday.
Interactive map shows residents if they fall under “do not drink” notice
By Karla Rendon
While a “do not drink” notice remains in effect for Pacific Palisades, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power released an interactive map to guide residents on whether they’re affected by the advisory.
To see if your address is impacted by the notice, click here.
