• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
  • © 2026 ABC News
ABC News

California fires live updates: At least 10 fire-related deaths, medical examiner says

PHOTO: A firefighter walks past a burning structure as the Palisades Fire continues to burn in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, on Jan. 8, 2025.
Live
Mark J. Terrill/AP
ABC News Live
By Riley Hoffman, David Brennan, Kevin Shalvey, Nadine El-Bawab, Meredith Deliso, Leah Sarnoff
Last Updated: January 10, 2025, 5:26 AM

At least 10 people are believed to be dead -- with the LA County sheriff saying he expects that number to rise -- as a series of devastating fires grow uncontained across Southern California amid dry and windy conditions, leaving officials scrambling to contain the historic destruction.

Thousands of firefighters are battling at least five sprawling wildfires spread around the Los Angeles area. The largest, the Palisades Fire, in Pacific Palisades, has scorched over 19,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and remains zero percent contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 13,000 acres and zero percent contained. More than 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as the infernos spread.

President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved a federal major disaster declaration for Los Angeles County.

Key Headlines

  • Firefighters stop forward progress of Kenneth Fire
  • New satellite images show extent of LA wildfire devastation
  • Recent LA County evacuation warning alert sent in error
  • Kenneth Fire grows to nearly 1,000 acres with 0% containment
  • Federal government to cover 100% of disaster response for 180 days
  • Eaton Fire burns near Mount Wilson Observatory
  • LA mayor dodges question on criticism over trip to Ghana, budget cuts
Here's how the news is developing.

Jan 10, 2025 5:26 AM

10 dead in LA fires: Medical examiner

There have been at least 10 fire-related deaths in Los Angeles, according to the county's Department of Medical Examiner.

The identification is expected to take several weeks "as the Department of Medical Examiner is not able to respond to all death locations due to the fire conditions and safety concerns," a statement read late Thursday evening.

"The Department of Medical Examiner understands how important it is to identify those lost in the wildfires and is working diligently, while following safety protocols, to provide the information to the next of kin as soon as reasonably possible," the statement continued.


Jan 10, 2025 3:57 AM

Firefighters stop forward progress of Kenneth Fire

Firefighters in Ventura County have stopped the forward progress of a rapidly burning wildfire that originally broke out Thursday afternoon in the West Hills area of Los Angeles.

The blaze is holding at 960 acres, according to the Ventura County Fire Department. All evacuation orders for LA County have been reduced to warnings and evacuation warnings in Ventura County have been lifted, the fire department said.

About 400 firefighters will remain at the scene of the fire overnight to work on knocking down hot spots.

There have been no reports of any structures damaged or destroyed from the Kenneth Fire. The fire is still described as 0% contained.


Jan 10, 2025 2:51 AM

Death toll remains at 5

At least five people have died in the Los Angeles fires, the LA County Sheriff's Office clarified Thursday night.

There have been at least three victims in the Eaton Fire and two in the Palisades Fire, according to police.

During a press briefing Thursday afternoon officials had incorrectly said there were five victims in the Eaton Fire and announced two victims from the Palisades Fire.



Jan 10, 2025 2:48 AM

New satellite images show extent of LA wildfire devastation

New satellite images are showing the extent of the devastation from the wildfires in Los Angeles.

The images were released by Maxar Technologies, a Colorado-based satellite company.

The photos show the damage to hard-hit neighborhoods, such as Pacific Palisades and Malibu.

PHOTO: Overview of beachfront homes before and after fire swept along La Costa Beach, in Malibu, Calif., in a satellite image provided by MaxarTechnologies.
@MaxarTechnologies
Overview of beachfront homes before and after fire swept along La Costa Beach, in Malibu, Calif., in a satellite image provided by MaxarTechnologies.
@MaxarTechnologies

The photos also show heavy clouds of smoke from the Palisades and Eaton Fires billowing over the landscape as seen from above.

PHOTO: Overview of Palisades and Eaton Wildfires in a satellite image provided by MaxarTechnologies.
@MaxarTechnologies
Overview of Palisades and Eaton Wildfires in a satellite image provided by MaxarTechnologies.
@MaxarTechnologies

See more before and after photos.


Jan 09, 2025 8:00 PM

Owner of destroyed Malibu restaurant says they are in 'shock'

Iconic Malibu seafood shack Reel Inn was among the businesses destroyed in the Palisades Fire.

Owner Teddy Leonard told ABC News Live on Thursday that they are still "in a bit of shock" about the loss of the decades-old Malibu fixture.

VIDEO: Longtime Malibu restaurant the 'Reel Inn' burned down in LA wildfires
6:16
Teddy Leonard, owner of Mailbu's Reel Inn, discusses the ongoing Southern California wildfires that burned down her iconic family owned business.

"We are devastated for our crew," she said, noting that they have launched a fundraiser to help support the staff. "We also didn't have time to really process the restaurant because we are evacuated. So at the moment, we don't know the condition of our home or if we are going to have one to go back to."

Leonard said her son and sister have lost their homes, though her family is otherwise safe.

"At the end of the day, that's really all that matters," she said. "And I'm glad we created a place for family memories."

PHOTO: Santa Maria Fire truck speeds towards the fire as seen from the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) in the town of Pacific Palisades, on the edge of Malibu, Calif., on Jan. 7, 2025.
Amy Katz/ZUMA Press Wire via Shutterstock
Santa Maria Fire truck speeds towards the fire as seen from the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) in the town of Pacific Palisades, on the edge of Malibu, Calif., on Jan. 7, 2025.
Amy Katz/ZUMA Press Wire via Shutterstock

Leonard said they would love to rebuild though it would depend on if they are allowed to, noting they are on a lease from the state parks agency.

"My husband and I would love to and the community has responded in such a fashion that I believe that they would love to have us come back," she said. "Will it be the same? It won't ever be quite the same."


GMA Newsletters

Sign up for our newsletters to get GMA delivered to your inbox every morning!

Up Next in news

PHOTO: Lindsay Clancy, who is accused of killing her children, watches as her ex-husband Patrick Clancy takes the witness stand, during her murder trial at Plymouth Superior Court, in Plymouth, Mass, July 27, 2026.

Ex-husband testifies in trial of mom accused of killing her 3 children

July 28, 2026
VIDEO: Tornadoes touch down as severe storms sweep East

Tornadoes touch down as severe storms sweep East

July 28, 2026
PHOTO: Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, left, walks upfield during the second day of the NFL football team's rookie minicamp in Kansas City, Mo., May 2, 2026.

Wife of Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator allegedly shot by son at home, police say

July 27, 2026

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 
  • Recalls and Product Safety Alerts— 

© 2026 ABC News