California fire: Death toll rises to 10, officials say

Nancy Belanger pours water on a neighbor's fire-ravaged property in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

California Fire: Los Angeles, the city of United States' California that is home to country's film and television industry - Hollywood - has been burning due to wildfires that started on Tuesday and have spread to engulf hundreds of houses, forcing the evacuation of thousands, including several celebrities. Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades, Pasadena and Altadena are among the areas majorly affected by the wildfires, some of which house celebrity residences. The fires had spread to the iconic Hollywood Hills by Wednesday evening.

Los Angeles wildfires | Key points

• At least 10 people have reportedly died in wildfires in Los Angeles that began on Tuesday with first ripping across the upscale Pacific Palisades area. As of Thursday (local time), the following wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area: Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, and the latest one, dubbed Kenneth.
• Together, the fires are estimated to have captured an area worth over 35,000 acres: Palisades (at least 19,978 acres), Eaton (at least 13,690 acres), Kenneth (at least 960 acres), Hurst (at least 771 acres) and Lidia (at least 348 acres).
• The two biggest wildfires (Palisades and Eaton) have together destroyed more 10,000 structures: over 5,300 and 5,000, respectively.
• The Los Angeles wildfires are said to be driven by strong dry winds such as the ‘Santa Anas’ that intensified the region's already warm conditions, with Southern California experiencing minimal rainfall since early May.
• New fire erupted in the hills overlooking the Hollywood Boulevard and its Walk of Fame as terrifying rings of flames continued to engulf southern California.