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Published on January 14, 2025
Fire Fury Unleashed: Palisades Blaze Engulfs LA Area, Claims 8 Lives Amid Curfew and EvacuationsSource: CAL FIRE_Official, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) continues to combat the Palisades Fire, which has burned 23,713 acres and is currently 17% contained. According to LAFD's latest update, strong north-to-northeast winds have exacerbated fire conditions, contributing to the fire's growth and hindering containment efforts. A curfew between 6 PM and 6 AM remains in effect for the safety of residents affected by the fire.

In the wake of the blaze, 1,280 structures have been destroyed and 204 damaged. Tragically, eight civilians have lost their lives, with confirmations from the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner. Evacuation orders are still in place, requiring residents within the designated danger zone—which spans from Pacific Coast Highway in the south to the south of Encino Reservoir in the north, Sepulveda Blvd / Sapphire Dr in the east, and Mandeville Canyon in the west—to leave immediately due to an immediate threat to life. Surrounding areas have been put on evacuation warnings, emphasizing the urgency for individuals with special needs, pets, or livestock, to vacate the area immediately, as reported by the LAFD.

Evacuation centers have been set up at multiple locations including Westwood Recreation Center and the Van Nuys / Sherman Oaks Recreation Center. For animal evacuations, facilities like the El Camino High School and Agoura Animal Care Center are offering shelter. The LAFD provides links to interactive maps for more detailed information on evacuation orders, warnings, and shelter locations. Additionally, road closures have been implemented, affecting various off-ramps along the I-405 Freeway.

Federal assistance has been secured to support the fire response. For those affected, a Disaster Recovery Center will soon open at UCLA Research Park. Help will be available for those needing to replace lost vital records, assistance with disaster relief loans, referrals for mental health counseling, and other services. The center's ongoing hours will be from 9 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week, per the LAFD.