Overview
- The Palisades and Eaton fires, the largest of five wildfires in Los Angeles County, have burned over 27,000 acres with 0% containment reported as of Thursday morning.
- At least five fatalities have been confirmed, with authorities warning the death toll may rise as search efforts continue in affected areas.
- More than 150,000 residents have been evacuated, with thousands of homes, schools, and businesses destroyed across neighborhoods from Pacific Palisades to Altadena.
- Firefighting efforts have been hindered by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, water shortages, and stretched resources, though calmer winds Thursday offered some respite.
- The fires are expected to become among the costliest in U.S. history, with preliminary damage estimates exceeding $60 billion, exacerbating California's ongoing insurance crisis.