California wildfire update: Los Angeles fires destroy more than 10,000 homes and businesses, death toll expected to rise

CalFire reports the Kenneth Fire is now 50% contained.

Ron Rivlin, who lost his home in the Palisades fire, said he built his home around his art. He owned 30 works by Andy Warhol and 15 works by Keith Haring. The painting was destroyed in a fire.

He said he resisted evacuation until he received a tearful phone call from his daughter, adding that he vowed to build an even better home in the future. Art works by Damien Hirst and John Baldessari were also lost.

The actor made the announcement on X, calling the news a “miracle” while pointing out that many homes in the neighborhood did not survive the fire.

“‘Standing’ in this hellish landscape is relative,” he wrote.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has invited President-elect Donald Trump to tour wildfire damage in the Los Angeles area.

“In the spirit of our great nation, we must not politicize human tragedy or spread disinformation from the sidelines,” Newsom said in a letter to Trump.

President Trump has repeatedly attacked Newsom over the issue, calling him “Gavin Newscam” and calling for his resignation.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said it was aware of a social media Facebook post suggesting people could work as part of a sanitation crew in California.

“There is no truth to this social media post. There is no need to call and inquire,” officials said.

Officials believe Santa Ana winds will continue to move north, but humidity will remain low, according to an update released by CalFire around 2 p.m. Friday.

Typical mid-January conditions are expected to continue Saturday. Santa Ana is expected to have light to moderate winds from Sunday through the middle of next week, the agency said. Strong winds are possible on Tuesday, and severe fire weather conditions are likely to continue into next week.

It is estimated that more than 5,000 structures were destroyed in the fire.

Los Angeles Unified School District officials canceled all school classes Friday. CalFire says residents are encouraged to avoid non-essential travel.

Released drone video USA Today It shows rows of burnt houses and streets. The fire has spread to more than 20,000 acres and threatens more than 11,000 buildings. Three people died in this fire.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone made the announcement Friday. The Canadian airliner, named Quebec 1, suffered a large hole in its wing after the collision. The pilots didn’t know they were going to hit the drone. Staff at Van Nuys Airport noticed the hole.

There are currently only two Super Scoopers in operation in Los Angeles. The aircraft will undergo priority repairs and is expected to be operational on Monday.

“Everyone should know…flying a drone in a fire traffic zone is not only dangerous, it’s illegal,” Marrone said, according to CNN. “Behind the scenes, our federal partners will be putting in place procedures that will allow us to track drones in two major fire areas, and we will be able to determine who is operating that drone. I guess.”

“The most important thing to know is that if you fly a drone in one of these bushfires, all air operations will be halted. And we absolutely do not want such a thing to happen. “I don’t want that to happen,” he added.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Malone assured residents Monday that the county is “prepared” for another red flag to return next week.