LOS ANGELES, CA – Firefighters made modest progress Friday in their battle against the Palisades Fire, achieving limited containment while thousands of homes and businesses remain under threat in what is now the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history.
As of 8 a.m., the fire had consumed 20,438 acres in Pacific Palisades, Malibu, and parts of the Santa Monica Mountains, according to incident commanders. Containment improved from 6% to 8%, aided by the gradual weakening of Santa Ana winds that have fueled the inferno since it erupted Tuesday morning.
The blaze has destroyed more than 5,000 structures, many of them homes and commercial properties. Damage assessments estimate losses in the tens of billions of dollars, with entire neighborhoods left in ruins.
Evacuation orders remain in place for tens of thousands of residents across the Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Santa Monica, and Topanga. Neighboring Calabasas is still under evacuation warnings as officials monitor shifting wind patterns that could further complicate containment efforts.
The death toll across Southern California wildfires rose to 10, with two confirmed fatalities linked to the Palisades Fire. Among them was a victim found in the charred remains of a structure in Malibu.
Improved conditions on Thursday allowed for expanded aerial water drops and better coordination among the 3,000 firefighters deployed. However, officials cautioned that containment efforts remain fragile, with the potential for further outbreaks as the region braces for more Santa Ana winds in the coming days.
On Thursday, a man was arrested on suspicion of arson near Woodland Hills after residents reported him allegedly trying to set fires. The Kenneth Fire, which ignited nearby, prompted additional evacuations but has since been largely contained.
Looking ahead, Cal Fire warned of a sustained fire threat into next week. “The Palisades Fire continues to exhibit wind-driven and topographic runs upslope. Short-range spotting is still observed,” the agency said in a bulletin. A renewed Santa Ana wind event is anticipated early next week, heightening the risk of critical fire weather conditions.
With firefighting resources stretched thin across multiple blazes, including the Eaton Fire near Pasadena, officials urged residents to remain vigilant and adhere to evacuation orders to ensure their safety.
