Los Angeles wildfires: Returning Santa Ana winds threaten to expand deadly blazes
Dangerous Santa Ana winds are expected to return to the Los Angeles area this week, potentially fueling the growth of new and existing wildfires, according to FOX Weather.
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California state leader calls out Newsom for 'lumping together' wildfire relief, anti-Trump session
The California State Senate Minority Leader lambasted Gov. Newsom for "lumping together" a special session about suing President-elect Trump with wildfire relief.
Newsom "recently expanded the current special session that was focused on suing the Trump administration to also include Los Angeles wildfire relief," according to State Sen. Brian Jones, R-Calif.
“I’m encouraged that Governor Newsom heard our calls to take action on the LA wildfires in a special session," Jones said in a statement. "However, lumping this emergency response together with a politically motivated special session to sue Trump is unnecessary and, frankly, insulting to those struggling through this disaster."
"Fire victims deserve a response that is both respectful and non-partisan, but instead, Newsom is politicizing a tragic crisis that should focus solely on aiding those in need," the Republican added. "Sadly, these special session bills will likely include inappropriate provisions targeting the incoming federal administration alongside vital disaster relief for Californians."
‘Critical fire weather conditions’ forecast for Southern California on Tuesday and Wednesday
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Maria Shriver calls out LA mayor amid fires, says city 'cannot go forward with the status quo'
Journalist and former first lady of California, Maria Shriver, warned "LA residents deserve better" than their current Democratic leadership.
Many people, including celebrities, have lost their homes in the Pacific Palisades area as wildfires continue to rage there and elsewhere in Los Angeles County, burning more than 27,000 acres, destroying over 10,000 structures and killing multiple people, according to local officials.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has faced condemnation for her trip to Ghana last week, which meant she was thousands of miles away from her city during the initial day of the destruction on Tuesday.
The mayor also faced a blistering critique from LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley, who said as she spoke with Jake Tapper on CNN, that "Over the last 3 years, we have been clear that the fire department needs help", and emphasized how "understaffed, under-resourced, and underfunded the LAFD is." She claimed, "I rang the bell that these additional cuts could be very very devastating for our ability to provide public safety."
As mismanagement of the response to the fire has put California’s Democratic leaders in the spotlight, some of the party’s more well known donors have turned on them.
Shriver, the ex-wife of former California Governor and movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger, shared Crowley's remarks, declaring that California’s future "has to be different."
"LA cannot go forward with the status quo. LA is no longer what it was. It has to be different. It has to prioritize the safety of its citizens, police, fire, schools. LA residents deserve better. Chief Crowley is saying LA cannot sustain itself. It needs more help," Shriver wrote. "Chief Crowley says she rang the bell. The mayoral race presented a clear choice last time around. Moving forward, LA residents have to decide what’s important and what’s not. Right now what’s important is getting this fire under control, getting firefighters the support they need, getting our neighbors the support they need. Once that happens it’s time to rethink what is and imagine what can be."
Fox News' Alexander Hall contributed to this report.
Walgreens allowing emergency medication refills without doctor authorization for wildfire victims
Walgreens announced it is allowing emergency medical refills without authorization from a prescriber for people impacted by the Southern California wildfires.
"We are focused on the safety and well-being of our patients, customers and team members and have taken precautions to support areas impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires so we can provide the products and services the community needs," Walgreens said in a news release.
"We have positioned resources and are actively deploying them as needed," the company added. "For anyone who is unable to retrieve their medications, our pharmacists may dispense emergency medication refills for most medications without prescriber authorization during a declared emergency."
The company said its Patient Care Advocate teams are reaching out to Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy patients who live in the emergency area to discuss alternate delivery arrangements if needed.
Chris Christie tears into Gov. Newsom over 'enormous failure' wildfire response: 'Do your damn job!'
Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie slammed California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other leaders for their lack of wildfire preparedness, calling the response an "enormous failure" as thousands of structures were destroyed and at least 24 people lost their lives across Los Angeles County.
Christie called out Newsom for refusing to take accountability for the crisis during "The Brian Kilmeade Show," accusing him, and local leaders, of mismanaging the state's response to the historic fires.
"It's an enormous failure, Brian, and an enormous disappointment for the people of California and now a tragedy for all those families that have been affected," Christie told Kilmeade on Monday. "And when you're the governor of a state and a natural disaster happens, there is no one more accountable than you. There can be no one who the public is relying upon more than you."
"You can't sit there and say, 'Jeez… I don't know. Let me find out.' You have to be on top of it right from the beginning," he continued. "These fires started. We knew they were coming. We knew they were expanding."
Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass have faced fierce criticism since the fires began last week for their handling of the catastrophe, with many arguing they were not properly prepared as entire communities turned to ash.
"It's heartbreaking," Christie said. "The photo albums, the memories that you lose, the videos of our children. Those are things that can't be replaced. So what [the] government needs to do is to step up to the plate and be there to give them the cash they need to replace the things that are replaceable, and Governor Newsom has failed, and Mayor Bass, quite frankly, looks like she doesn't know what's going on either."
Fox News' Bailee Hill contributed to this report.
LA mayor issues executive order to clear way for residents to rebuild homes destroyed in wildfires
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order on Monday to clear the way for residents to rebuild the homes destroyed in the wildfires sweeping through Southern California and remove debris from impacted areas.
The mayor also updated the local emergency declaration to account for the devastation and to accelerate the city's recovery and rebuilding efforts."This unprecedented natural disaster warrants an unprecedented response that will expedite the rebuilding of homes, businesses and communities," Bass said. "This order is the first step in clearing away red tape and bureaucracy to organize around urgency, common sense and compassion. We will do everything we can to get Angelenos back home."
The order will establish task forces to develop a streamlined program for debris removal and mitigate risks from rain storms.
It would also clear the way to rebuild homes as they were by creating a one-stop-shop to quickly issue permits in all impacted areas, direct city departments to expedite all building permit reviews and inspections, bypass the California Environmental Quality Act discretionary review, allow rebuilding "like for like" and waive city discretionary review processes.
Bass' order would instruct the Department of Building and Safety to expedite approvals for 1,400 units of housing currently in the pipeline across the city.
Additionally, the order would direct all city departments to report back in a week with a list of additional relief needed from state and federal regulations and requirements, as well as state and federal funding needed for recovery efforts.
Los Angeles veterinarian's family living at clinic after losing home in Palisades Fire
A Los Angeles veterinarian and his family are now sleeping on the floor of the veterinary clinic after losing their home to the Palisades Fire sweeping through Southern California.
Henry Pasternak and his family, who have operated the Pasternak Veterinary Center in west Los Angeles for two decades, are continuing to care for animals that have been displaced and impacted by the fires.
"I didn't think I would ever lose my childhood home, all my childhood memories" his daughter, Ellie Rose Pasternak, told Fox 11. She said the family has been staying at the clinic for nearly a week since their house burned down.
"This is my whole entire childhood and most of my adulthood," she added.
The clinic remains open and is continuing to offer support to animals needing help.
The family said the clinic has more space for additional animals that have been displaced in the fire. They are also accepting donations, including dog beds, toys and food.
"We've been taking in pets, they're allowed to board here," Ellie Rose Pasternak said. "We have some empty cages here and even have some runs in the back where the dogs can move around."
Auto Fire in Ventura County burns nearly 56 acres, forward progress halted
Firefighters in Ventura County have stopped forward progress on the Auto Fire, a small wildfire that broke out Monday night.
The Ventura County Fire Department's public information department made the announcement at 10:45 p.m. local time, approximately three hours after the fire ignited in a river bottom off North Ventura Boulevard. No structures were threatened by the flames.
The fire burned 55.7 acres, according to VCFD, and is 0% contained.
Crews from VCFD, Ventura City Fire, Oxnard Fire and Federal Fire Ventura County are at the scene extinguishing hotspots and working to increase containment.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
14K acres burned, 2,700 structures destroyed in Eaton Fire as damage assessment 30% completed
The Los Angeles County Fire Department provided an update on the Eaton Fire Monday night, as the damage assessment is at 30% completion, stating that there were 15 civilian fatalities and more than 2,700 structures had been destroyed in the blaze.
More than 14,100 acres were burned in the fire, which the fire department said has 33% containment. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
In addition to the civilian fatalities, five firefighters were injured while attempting to put out the fire.
The fire department said 329 structures were damaged and nearly 39,500 are threatened.
Angeles National Forest in Southern California closed until Sunday due to wildfires
The Angeles National Forest located in Southern California has extended its closure to Sunday in response to wildfires sweeping through the area.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service said the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountain National Monument are temporarily closed for public safety and the protection of natural resources from midnight Tuesday through midnight Sunday.
Going into the forest or being on any National Forest System road or trail within the Angeles National Forest is prohibited during that time frame, with exceptions for government leaders or members of firefighting or rescue groups responding to the fires.
Violators could face fines of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or up to six months of imprisonment or both.
Lakers, Clippers host games in Southern California after games were postponed amid wildfires
The Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers both returned to their home courts on Monday for the first NBA games in the Los Angeles area since wildfires devastated the area and forced games to be postponed.
The Lakers hosted the San Antonio Spurs on Monday at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles but were defeated in their return to their home court while the Clippers were victorious when they played host to the Miami Heat at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
This comes after Saturday's games in Southern California were postponed in response to the fires.
The Lakers were initially scheduled to host the Spurs on Saturday in the first of two consecutive games between the two teams and the Clippers were supposed to host the Charlotte Hornets. The Lakers also had a game previously scheduled for Thursday against the Hornets pushed back.
JJ Redick, head coach of the Lakers, said he was grateful to return to the sidelines for the first time in nearly a week after he and his family lost their rental home in the Pacific Palisades and many of their belongings in the fires Tuesday.
"I think a group functions best when you draw strength from each other, and the way my players, my staff, the organization has supported, rallied around me, rallied around the city ... there's real strength in that," Redick told reporters. "That's the receiving of strength. Then it's our job to go give strength and give hope and give joy. Sports are a lot of things, and sports can certainly provide an escape and a distraction. Hopefully sports tonight can provide some joy as well."
Reddick added that he has been "overwhelmed with the amount of support and love and generosity that people have shown to me and my family, and really all families that have been affected by this."
Fire officials work to extinguish brush fire in Ventura
Roughly 75 firefighters responded to a brush fire in Ventura, California, to put out the blaze, according to fire officials.
The Ventura County Fire Department is working with Ventura City Fire and Oxnard Fire on the brush fire in the river bottom off North Ventura Blvd in Ventura.
The fire, dubbed the Auto Fire, was at five acres in medium fuels with a moderate rate of spread shortly before 9 p.m. local time, as firefighters worked to stop forward movement.
Riverside County brush fire that erupted on Monday night under control
A fire that erupted northeast of Los Angeles in Riverside County on Monday night is now 100% contained, according to the City of Riverside Fire Department.
The fire, dubbed the Jurupa Fire, was held to two acres in thick vegetation after it broke out in the Santa Ana River bottom near Jurupa Avenue and Van Buren Boulevard.
"Drift smoke will continue to be present in the adjacent region," RFD said on Facebook.
The evacuation warning for residents in the area has been lifted.
Jay Leno serves food to firefighters battling Palisades Fire
Actor Jay Leno spent time serving food to firefighters coming off the line of the Palisades Fire on Monday.
Los Angeles Fire Department Public Information Officer Erik Scott shared video of Leno placing food in to-go boxes for the personnel taking a break from the fighting the flames.
"We're grateful for his kindness & the support from our community during this challenging time," Scott wrote on X.
The Palisades Fire began last Tuesday morning and has burned 23,713 acres as of Monday evening, according to CAL FIRE. It is only 14% contained.
Former shelter dogs assisting in search efforts amid Southern California wildfire destruction
Search dogs are helping to root through debris left by the wildfires in Southern California in efforts to locate survivors and human remains.
The dogs, who are rescues, were trained by the Search Dog Foundation in Ventura County and are searching the rubble of homes and businesses destroyed by the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire in the Los Angeles area along with their handlers, KTLA reported.
The Search Dog Foundation, based in Santa Paula, California, trains search-and-rescue dogs to find victims in disaster areas.
Many of the dogs in the program, including some used in the Los Angeles wildfire areas, were rescued from shelters after they were surrendered for having too much energy, which makes them valuable for search and rescue missions.
New brush fire erupts northeast of Los Angeles in Riverside County
Firefighters are battling a new brush fire that has emerged in Riverside County, which is east of Los Angeles.
The fire, which is located in Jurupa Valley, is burning in the Santa Ana Riverbed as of Monday night. The cause is currently unknown.
Aerial footage of the fire shows it burning in close proximity to houses, though several firefighters are currently working to contain the blazes.
Los Angeles County DA says nine charged with looting homes in wildfire zones, one with arson
A man accused of arson and a group of looters targeting homes in evacuation zones amid the wildfires raging in Los Angeles County have been charged, officials said Monday.
The charges were filed against a group of people accused of residential looting in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena areas, while arson charges were brought against a man in Azusa, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said during a news conference.
"These are the people who are seeking to exploit this tragedy for their own benefit," Hochman said. "These are people who have engaged in looting and arson. We've also investigated price gouging and will be investigating internet scams and the like."
Read the full article about Los Angeles crime by Louis Casiano
LA Times owner says endorsing Karen Bass was a ‘mistake' due to incompetence amid wildfires
Los Angeles Times Owner Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong is turning down the Bass.
Dr. Soon-Shiong called his paper’s endorsement of embattled Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass a "mistake" during an appearance on the "2 Way" podcast Monday.
The LA Times endorsed Bass during the 2022 mayor election. "At the LA Times we endorsed Karen Bass, I think right now that’s a mistake, and we admit that," Soon-Shiong said.
Read the full article about Patrick Soon-Shiong by David Spector
Fox News traveled to an evacuation zone to see the devastation from the Eaton fire: What we saw
Broken shards of glass. Burnt paint cans. And melted tire rims. The Eaton Fire swept through Altadena, Calif., late Tuesday night, destroying thousands of structures and forcing thousands of residents to flee with only the bare necessities – leaving behind a blackened char just about everywhere in its wake.
As of Monday, the fire was only 33% contained and has burned more than 14,000 acres. Fox News Digital traveled to an evacuation zone in Altadena on Saturday to see the devastation from one of the largest wildfires in California's history.
Roadblocks and checkpoints were set up throughout multiple streets to prevent residents from returning to their homes as officials work to clear roads and fix downed power lines. Police car after police car drove through the blocked-off areas to monitor any unusual activity amid concerns of looting. Firetrucks from West Covina, Santa Fe Springs, Pasadena, Downey and Vandenberg were also seen driving up and down the evacuation area.
Read the full article about the Eaton Fire by Ashley Carnahan
Dems blame LA fire on 'climate change' despite city cutting fire department budget
Democratic lawmakers are claiming the severity of the Los Angeles wildfires was a result of climate change, despite reports that the city's fire hydrants ran out of water and the fire department's budget was slashed just weeks before the Palisades fire destroyed thousands of homes and burned more than 15,000 acres.
Several fires broke out across the Southern California mountains in early January, quickly spreading to coastal residential areas and destroying more than 10,000 homes and structures.
As the fires gained national attention, Democratic lawmakers across the country began to claim it was climate change rather than state policies that caused the disastrous fire damage.
Read the full article about the SoCal wildfires by Aubrie Spady