January 8, 1:42 PM
Eaton Fire Spreads to 10,600 Acres
The Eaton Fire has expanded to cover 10,600 acres with 0% containment, as reported by the U.S. Forest Service.
PHOTO: Flames engulf a structure amidst the Eaton Fire’s blaze in Pasadena, California, on January 8, 2025. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)
PHOTO: Firefighters are seen battling the flames as the Eaton Fire rages in Pasadena, California, on January 8, 2025. (Mario Anzuoni/Reuters)
Tragically, at least two residents have been confirmed deceased as a result of the fire. Authorities are urging residents to heed evacuation orders.
January 8, 1:29 PM
Nearly 2 Dozen School Districts Close Due to Fires
Twenty-two out of Los Angeles County’s 80 school districts are closed on Wednesday due to fires and adverse weather conditions in the area, per the Los Angeles County Office of Education.
PHOTO: Sparks fly from a burned school bus as the Eaton Fire sweeps through the vicinity on January 8, 2025, in Altadena, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
The following school districts have reported closures, according to the office:
– Alhambra Unified School District
– Arcadia Unified School District
– Azusa Unified School District
– Baldwin Park Unified School District
– Bonita Unified School District
– Burbank Unified School District
– Duarte Unified School District
– El Monte City School District
– Glendale Unified School District
– Glendora Unified School District
– La Canada Unified School District
– Las VÃrgenes School District
– Monrovia Unified School District
– Mountain View School District
– Pasadena Unified School District
– Rosemead School District
– San Gabriel Unified School District
– San Marino Unified School District
– Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District
– South Pasadena Unified School District
– Temple City Unified School District
– Valle Lindo School District
Additionally, several schools within the Los Angeles Unified School District are closed, officials stated.
January 8, 1:23 PM
Newsom Cancels Trip to Carter’s Funeral
California Governor Gavin Newsom has called off his trip to Washington D.C. for the memorial service of former President Jimmy Carter due to the ongoing spread of multiple fires in Southern California.
President Joe Biden held a phone conversation with Newsom on Wednesday to receive the latest updates on the wildfires across Los Angeles. Biden is scheduled to be briefed later by Cal Fire officials.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell also engaged with Newsom to be informed about the wildfires. FEMA’s regional office in California is in constant coordination with the California Office of Emergency Services, and FEMA has dispatched a liaison to their offices as they closely monitor the situation.
The regional administrator for FEMA Region IX has approved Fire Management Assistance Grants for the
As the flames continue to devastate the Pacific Palisades area, actor Steve Guttenberg shared his firsthand account of the ongoing wildfires in California. Speaking on ‘GMA3’ on January 8, 2025, Guttenberg likened the scene to a parking lot, emphasizing the need for people to leave their keys in their abandoned vehicles so that others, like himself, can assist in moving them to allow fire personnel access.
Guttenberg revealed that he has been staying at a friend’s residence without electricity but managing reasonably well in the challenging circumstances. Reflecting on the intensity of the inferno, he described it as the largest fire he had ever witnessed, expressing concern about the smoke inhalation affecting his health.
During his time in the Palisades on Tuesday, Guttenberg was struck by the sight of what appeared to be ‘volcanoes’ erupting along the hillsides due to the fires. The severity of the situation led him to contemplate his mortality, acknowledging the potential dangers posed by the raging flames.
Amid the crisis, Guttenberg issued a plea for cooperation, urging individuals to leave their keys in their cars if abandoned on the streets. This gesture would facilitate the movement of vehicles by volunteers like himself, enabling fire trucks to navigate through the affected areas more effectively.
Meanwhile, on the same day, an air quality alert was issued for regions including the Santa Monica Mountains, San Gabriel Valley, and coastal areas of Los Angeles County due to heightened fine particle pollution from the wildfire smoke. The alert, effective until 5 p.m. PST, warned of the health risks posed by the inhalation of these particles, particularly for vulnerable groups such as individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Despite efforts to combat the wildfires, Los Angeles County and its 29 fire departments faced challenges in responding to the widespread disaster. LAPD Chief James McDonnell admitted that the existing resources were insufficient to handle the scale of the crisis, with prepositioned assets from northern California not fully compensating for the lack of adequate firefighting personnel.
McDonnell highlighted the unanticipated nature of the situation, noting that the authorities were prepared for one or two major brush fires but not the simultaneous outbreak of four significant blazes. The combination of strong winds and low humidity levels exacerbated the challenges faced by emergency responders, underscoring the unprecedented nature of the crisis.
Furthermore, power outages affected a substantial number of customers in Los Angeles County, with over 245,000 individuals left without electricity by early morning on January 8. The widespread disruptions posed additional difficulties for residents and emergency services alike, compounding the complexities of managing the unfolding disaster.
As firefighting efforts continued and communities grappled with the aftermath of the wildfires, the collective response underscored the resilience and solidarity of Californians in confronting natural disasters of such magnitude.
