THURSDAY EVENING UPDATE: L.A. City Provides Next Update on Continued Aggressive Response to Fires in L.A.

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LOS ANGELES - Mayor Bass and Los Angeles leaders announced that there will be new resources made available to support the City's continued aggressive response to the fires caused by extremely dangerous winds and fire conditions. President Biden also announced the federal government will reimburse Los Angeles for 100% of disaster response costs for the wildfires. LAFD continued making progress to fight fires in the city as helicopters made air drops on the Palisades Fire and Sylmar Fire. Hundreds of firefighters are on the ground to fight the fires.

Under Mayor Bass' direction, the City's Emergency Operations Center remains activated at a Level 1, the highest activation level, allowing for all City department staff, management staff, and section coordinators to report to the EOC for this major City emergency. Key updates in progress to keep Angelenos safe and urgently respond to the wildfires include:

• FEMA Announces Support and Resources for Thousands of Angelenos: President Biden told Mayor Bass this afternoon that the federal government would pay for 100% of the disaster response costs from wildfires in the area. These financial resources will ensure that Los Angeles will rebuild stronger than before. Angelenos can visit disasterassistance.gov. The federal government, the state government and local government continue to deliver for Los Angeles.

• Firefighters Urgently Confront the West Hills Fire: LAFD quickly deployed all available resources to confront the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills which erupted quickly at 3:00 PM this afternoon. Due to the vigilant response of LAFD, the evacuation order in the area has been lifted. Residents can return to their homes via LAPD escort and are advised to follow safety officers' directions.

• Hurst Fire Evacuation Orders Lifted: Following aggressive around the clock action from firefighters, the mandatory evacuation orders have been lifted. Residents should be aware of the continued evacuation warning for the area east of 14 Freeway to Roxford, from Newhall Ave. to 210 Freeway.

• Mayor Bass, Sheriff Luna Request Additional Support from National Guard: Mayor Bass and Sheriff Luna requested support from the California National Guard. This injection of additional state resources will support firefighters and first responders as they continue to focus on saving lives, protecting property and keeping Angelenos and communities safe.

City Departments are comprehensively responding to the fires to bolster our firefighters courageous and committed response, supporting key actions and guidance include:

• LAPD and City traffic officers continue to deploy hundreds of increased staff to assist with traffic gridlock, evacuations and additional support.

• City officials continue to ask L.A. residents to stay safe, stay prepared and stay informed. Sign up for emergency alerts at NotifyLA.org.

• Angelenos are encouraged to avoid all non-essential travel, especially in areas under evacuation warnings or orders. Emergency services and first responders must be able to effectively respond to emergencies as soon as they occur.

• Residents are also advised to heed closures of Los Angeles parks like Griffith Park, which includes Lake Hollywood, Runyon Canyon. Additionally, the L.A. Zoo and the Hollywood Reservoir are closed. Red flag parking restrictions remain in effect.

AGGRESSIVELY RESPONDING TO FIRES

Palisades Fire

The City of Los Angeles has declareda local emergency to amplify response efforts to the devastating Palisades Fire and ongoing windstorm. The declaration will also help clear a path for a rapid recovery. The County has declared a local emergency as well. President Biden and the federal government have approved additional resources for the state of California to battle the fire. All levels of government are working together to bring the full force of their resources to respond to the emergency.

• LAFD has hundreds of firefighters on scene and deployed resources including heavy duty trucks and equipment.

• This fire remains an active emergency, having spread more than 19,978 acres with 6% containment. There still remains a potential to threaten life and property. LAFD has clarified a misunderstandingregarding a call for their own off duty firefighters to assist with this effort - LAFD sworn firefighters remain on recall.

Heed Evacuation Orders Near the Palisades Fire:

• The City continues to provide shelter and resources to impacted families. A map of the evacuation zone is available here. Residents are advised to exit the area.

  • Pacific Coast Highway is closed from the 10 Freeway to the North to support evacuations and emergency response.

  • Sunset Boulevard is closed West of Kenter Avenue to allow for evacuation.

  • Up to date road closure and evacuation zones are shown here.

• The latest Evacuation Orderwas sent via Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) to mobile phone users within the vicinity of the fire, requiring all non-emergency personnel to leave the area.

Palisades Fire Evacuation Shelters:

Evacuated Residents and Families and Small Animals

Stoner Recreation Center | 1835 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Westwood Recreation Center | 1350 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Emergency Evacuation Shelter for Large Animals

Hansen Dam Horse Park | 11127 Orcas Ave, Hansen Dam, CA 91342

• Avoid the area West of the 405 Freeway between Sunset Boulevard and the 101 Freeway to allow emergency responders to operate.

• Red Flag Parking Restrictions have been in effect in the City's Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones across the city since 8:00 AM on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 and will remain in effect Friday, January 10, 2025. Parking restrictions will remain in effect until further notice. Check lafd.org/redflagfor Red Flag Warning updates.

Hurst Fire

LAFD and first responders are deployed in strength to help save lives and protect property in the area. This fire remains an active emergency, expanding to over 671 acres of blaze within the footprint of the devastating Saddle Ridge Fire. An Evacuation Orderwas sent via Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA) to mobile phone users within the vicinity of the fire requiring all non-emergency personnel to leave the area. Sylmar Community DASH service is not in operation today. The Hurst Fire is 10% contained.

Evacuation Orders Lifted:

• As of 3:00 PM today, evacuation orders near the area of the Hurst Fire in Sylmar have been lifted while evacuation warnings remain in place. Residents can return home.

• All roads and freeways in the vicinity of the Hurst Fire are now open.

Hurst Fire Evacuation Shelters:

Evacuated Residents and Families and Small Animals

Ritchie Valens Recreation Park | 10736 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331

Emergency Evacuation Shelter for Large Animals

Hansen Dam Horse Park | 11127 Orcas Ave, Hansen Dam, CA 91342

Kenneth Fire

At 3:15 PM LAFD responded to a brush fire in the West Hills area. LAFD quickly deployed all available resources to confront the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills which erupted quickly this afternoon. Due to the vigilant response of LAFD, the evacuation order in the area has been lifted. Residents can return to their homes via LAPD escort and are advised to follow safety officers' directions.

Evacuation Warning for the Kenneth Fire:

• An evacuation warning advising residents to be ready to evacuate is in place for the Kenneth Fire in the following area:

  • North border: Ingomar / Saticoy St

  • South to Burbank Blvd

  • County Lane Road (City border)

  • East to E Valley Circle Blvd

• Up to date road closure and evacuation zones are shown here.

Kenneth Fire Evacuation Center:

Evacuated Residents and Families and Small Animals

Woodland Hills Recreation Center | 5858 Shoup Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Emergency Evacuation Shelter for Large Animals

Hansen Dam Horse Park | 11127 Orcas Ave, Hansen Dam, CA 91342

Alleviating Traffic and Providing Assistance Throughout the City

• LAPD is currently on a full Citywide tactical alert. More than 119 officers are currently deployed to the various fires across the City.

• Traffic Officers, Supervisors and Special Traffic Operations personnel have been assigned to the fire area to assist with Traffic Control efforts.

• LADOT's Advanced Transportation Systems and Coordination (ATSAC) Center is monitoring traffic volumes and adjusting signal timing in and around the evacuation areas to reduce congestion.

• LADOT Emergency Electrical crews are working to repair downed signals. If a motorist encounters an intersection with a non-functioning traffic signal, they should treat the intersection as a stop sign.

• LADOT and Metro buses have been assisting with evacuations in the Hollywood Hills.

LADWP Updates and Support Efforts

• In advance of high winds and Red Flag conditions, LADWP filled all available water storage facility tanks and reservoirs (114), including three 1-million-gallon tanks in the Palisades area.

• Beginning Tuesday night through Wednesday morning, 19 LADWP water trucks with 2000 - 4000 gallon capacity were deployed to support LAFD. They were able to refill at three nearby hydrants with high water pressure to ensure speedy turn-around with refill. The trucks are able to drive to meet up with and fill LAFD fire tenders and return to hydrants to refill as many times as needed.

• LADWP's open-air reservoirs, including Lower Stone Canyon and the Encino Reservoirs, have been supporting CALFIRE and LAFD's aerial firefighting efforts. LAFD used the Hollywood Reservoir to support aerial firefighting to quickly knock down the Sunset Fire overnight on Wednesday.

• LADWP deployed water system staff to the incident command and personnel have been coordinating 24/7 on site with CALFIRE and LAFD in support of the response in order to maximize water resources.

Boil Water Notice Remains in Effect for Zip Code 90272 and Adjacent Area:

• The Boil Water notice issued Wednesday for Pacific Palisades 90272 zip code and the area north of San Vicente Blvd remains in effect and will remain in effect for at least 48 hours. LADWP continues to ask customers in the Westside to conserve water to make sure we are ready as the winds and dry conditions continue. More info: https://ow.ly/a07450UCjAh.

What Angelenos Should Do If Their Power Goes Out:

• Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) encourages customers to be prepared for a power outage and to stay safe by following the tips below:

  • Never touch a downed power line! If you see a downed wire, stay away and call 911.

  • Keep a flashlight and extra batteries nearby. Never use candles in a power outage or other emergency.

  • Keep a fully charged cell phone on hand. If your power goes out or there are outages in your neighborhood, you may lose phone service and your cordless "landline" may also lose power. Extra portable cell phone batteries are very helpful in the event of an outage.

  • If your power goes out:

    • Report outages online and track crew status at www.ladwp.com/outagesor by calling 1-800-DIAL-DWP (1-800-342-5397).

    • Sign up for outage alerts at www.ladwp.com/outagealert.

    • Switch off all lights, except for one, so you will know when your power has been restored.

    • Keep your refrigerator closed to keep food cold for longer.

    • Check on vulnerable friends and neighbors to make sure they are safe.

Addressing Power Outages:

LADWP crews continue to work around the clock to restore power and support firefighting efforts. The Department is reporting no injuries or safety incidents. Be advised that electric crews are working in hazardous conditions responding to restore power outages in the City.

As of 5:00 PM, approximately 242,748 customers' power has been restored, including over 100,000 customers restored since yesterday. The number of customers without power as of 5:00 PM is 87,060 out of LADWP's 1.5 million electric customers. Communities of Glassell Park, Los Feliz, and Harbor City in the Metro area and North Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Pacoima, and Sun Valley are the most impacted.

There are over 150 crews working around the clock to restore power and PG&E mutual aid crews will be arriving later today. Strong winds can knock over trees, or cause branches and palm fronds to strike power lines which could result in power outages. Only after this is done can crews begin repair work to restore power.

• LADWP is regularly sharing outage information via its newsroom, Twitter (@LADWP) and NextDoor online platforms that inform affected neighborhoods on the status of their outage. Customers are also encouraged to sign up for outage alerts available in English and Spanish at www.ladwp.com/outages.
  

Monitoring Smoke and Unsafe Air Quality

• Be advised that there is a smoke advisory in effect per the LA County Department of Public Healthand the Air Quality Management District. Public health urges everyone to be mindful of visible smoke, the smell of smoke or unhealthy air quality to avoid unnecessary outdoor exposure and to limit physical exertion. Red Flag warnings remain in effect. Residents are encouraged to avoid non-essential travel to allow firefighters and first responders to more efficiently respond.

• The City and Councilmember Hernandez have established the Alpine Recreation Center as an Air Quality Relief Center to keep residents safe and healthy during this event. The Alpine Recreation Center is located at 817 Yale St., Los Angeles, CA 90012, and the phone number is 213-485-5448.

  • Hours of Operation: January 10-11 | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

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