Los Angeles wildfires in photos: Multiple blazes rage across the city, leaving a path of destruction

Yahoo! News

Los Angeles wildfires in photos: Multiple blazes rage across the city, leaving a path of destruction

Images from the ground show strong Santa Ana winds driving the blazes as firefighters try to battle the flames.

Yahoo News Photo Staff, Kate Murphy – January 9, 2025

Seen from behind, two people embrace while facing fire-destroyed buildings and landscape.
Megan Mantia and her boyfriend Thomas return to Mantia’s fire-damaged home after the Eaton Fire swept through the area, Wednesday in Altadena, Calif. (Ethan Swope/AP)

Five wildfires fueled by ferocious winds were scorching thousands of acres in Southern California on Thursday. At least five people were reported dead in Los Angeles County and around 130,000 people are under evacuation orders.

According to the latest figures from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Palisades Fire has reached over 17,200; the Eaton Fire in the Pasadena area has covered 10,600 acres; the Hurst Fire, over 855 acres; the Lidia Fire, 348 acres; and the Sunset Fire, burning through the Hollywood Hills, is around 43 acres.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency on Tuesday after the Palisades Fire started that morning in the hills north of Malibu. Photos below show flames from the wildfires engulfing homes, residents evacuating and firefighters working to battle the blazes as strong Santa Ana winds complicate their efforts.

The sun is seen behind smoke above charred structures and vehicles.
The sun is seen behind smoke above charred structures and vehicles after the passage of the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, Calif., on Wednesday. (Agustin Paullier/AFP via Getty Images)
A man stands in the street holding a facemask to his face in front of a fire-ravaged business.
A man walks past a fire-ravaged business after the Eaton Fire swept through Wednesday, in Altadena, Calif. (Ethan Swope/AP)
A home burns beyond the silhouette of five palm trees.
A home burns during the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, Calif., on Wednesday. (Agustin Paullier/AFP via Getty Images)
Melted lawn chairs are seen near the remains of a burnt home.
Melted lawn chairs are seen near the remains of a burnt home after the passage of the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, on Wednesday. (Agustin Paullier/AFP via Getty Images)
A man wearing a red long-sleeve shirt and shorts walks in front of a burning church.
A man walks in front of the burning Altadena Community Church, Wednesday, in the downtown Altadena section of Pasadena, Calif. (Chris Pizzello/AP)
A person stands at a flagpole outside a burning house.
A person lowers a flag from the flagpole outside his burning cousin’s house as powerful winds fueling devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area force people to evacuate, at the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Wednesday. (David Swanson/Reuters)More
Fire burning a large home.
The Palisades Fire burns in Los Angeles. (Eugene Garcia/AP)
Fire ravaged businesses.
Fire-ravaged businesses are seen in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 8. (Eugene Garcia/AP)
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
A vehicle and other structures are burned as the Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
A vehicle and other structures are burned as the Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
A statue and other structures are burned as the Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
A statue and other structures are burned as the Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
The Palisades Fire ravages a neighborhood amid high winds in the Pacific Palisades. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)

Scenes from Tuesday night

Fire personnel on Tuesday try to prevent the Palisades Fire from destroying other nearby homes while a helicopter drops water on the area.
Fire personnel on Tuesday try to keep the Palisades Fire from destroying other nearby homes while a helicopter drops water on the area. (David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images)
Palm trees and debris being blown around amid high winds as a wildfire engulfs the area.
The Palisades Fire ravages an L.A. neighborhood amid high winds on Tuesday. (Ethan Swope/AP)
Firefighters holding large hoses shoot water at the flames as a fire destroys a performing arts theater.
Firefighters battling a blaze ripping through the Theatre Palisades amid a powerful windstorm on Tuesday. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
An American flag can be seen outside a structure engulfed by flames amid a windstorm.
A fire engulfs a structure on the west side of Los Angeles on Tuesday. (Ringo Chiu/Reuters)
A fire truck races through a Los Angeles neighborhood on Tuesday amid intense embers that are being fanned around by a windstorm.
A fire truck races through a Los Angeles neighborhood on Tuesday. (Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
People help to evacuate senior center residents in wheelchairs in Altadena, Calif.
Residents of a senior center in Altadena, Calif., are evacuated on Tuesday as the Eaton Fire approaches. (Ethan Swope/AP)
Embers blow all around, and heavy smoke can be seen in the distance as firefighters battle a growing blaze.
Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles on Tuesday. (Ringo Chiu/Reuters)
A firefighter running with a hose battles a fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
A firefighter battles a fire as it burns a structure in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Tuesday. (Ethan Swope/AP)
A Christmas tree can be seen burning inside a residence engulfed by flames.
A Christmas tree can be seen burning inside a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles engulfed by flames on Tuesday. (Ethan Swope/AP)
Firefighters battle a wildfire as it burns multiple structures in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles
Firefighters battle a wildfire as it burns multiple structures in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Tuesday. (Ethan Swope/AP)
The Eaton Fire burns a residence on Wednesday in Altadena, Calif.
The Eaton Fire burns a residence on Wednesday in Altadena, Calif. (Ethan Swope/AP)
Firefighters work to extinguish flames as the Eaton Fire burns a McDonald's location in Pasadena, Calif.
Firefighters work to extinguish flames as the Eaton Fire burns a McDonald’s location in Pasadena, Calif., on Tuesday. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)
A firefighter walks by a home engulfed by the Palisades Fire amid a powerful windstorm.
A firefighter walks by a home engulfed by the Palisades Fire amid a powerful windstorm on Tuesday. (Apu Gomes/Getty Images)
Flames from the Eaton Fire destroy a structure in Pasadena, Calif.
Flames from the Eaton Fire destroy a structure in Pasadena, Calif., on Tuesday. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)
Fire crews battle the Palisades Fire as it spreads through multiple structures in a Los Angeles neighborhood.
Fire crews battle the Palisades Fire as it spreads through multiple structures in a Los Angeles neighborhood on Tuesday. (Ethan Swope/AP)
A structure in Pasadena, Calif., is swallowed up by flames from the Eaton Fire.
A structure in Pasadena, Calif., is swallowed up by flames from the Eaton Fire. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)
A wildfire destroys a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.
A wildfire destroys a residence in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles on Tuesday. (Ethan Swope/AP)

Author: John Hanno

Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. Bogan High School. Worked in Alaska after the earthquake. Joined U.S. Army at 17. Sergeant, B Battery, 3rd Battalion, 84th Artillery, 7th Army. Member of 12 different unions, including 4 different locals of the I.B.E.W. Worked for fortune 50, 100 and 200 companies as an industrial electrician, electrical/electronic technician.