LA fires live updates: ‘Significant’ Palisades Fire flare-up forces evacuations in LA neighborhoods as blaze heads east toward Bel Air

The Palisades, Eaton and Hurst and fires are still out-of-control in Los Angeles on Saturday, four days since they began ripping across the county, killing at least 11 people, displacing nearly 200,000, and destroying as many as 10,000 structures, including whole residential neighborhoods.

At least 35,000 acres of land have burned down — an area about two-and-a-half times the size of Manhattan.The location of the LA fires and tally of damages, as of Friday morning, Jan. 10.

The location of the LA fires and tally of damages as of Friday morning, Jan. 10.New York Post

Tower bugs caused false alarms that added to evacuation mayhem: Officials

By Elisha Fieldstadt

Software and cell phone tower bugs were the sources of the false alarm wildfire evacuation alerts that had been sent out to Los Angeles County residents in recent days amid the destructive wildfires, officials said.

An alert was sent out to all 10 million residents of LA County instead of just the “targeted recipients” in the area of the West Hills neighborhood, whose homes were threatened by the Kenneth Fire, due to an issue that occurred the software system, LA County Emergency Management Director Kevin McGowan said during a news conference Saturday.

Additional false alarms were sent out on Friday when cell towers knocked out during the disaster came back online, prompting them to fire off “outdated alerts” that had been “cached in the system,” McGowan said.

LeBron James sends message to those affected by LA wildfires as NBA postpones second Lakers game

By Joseph Staszewski

LeBron James sent his support to those dealing with the effects of the raging Los Angeles wildfires as the NBA has seen coaches lose homes and games rescheduled.

“I pray this nightmare ends soon!” the Lakers star wrote on X early Saturday morning in a message that included three praying emojis and four fingers crossed emojis. “So many prayers.”

James’ team has been directly affected by the fire as coach JJ Redick is among those who have lost their home in the blaze.

LA wildfires threaten 2028 Olympics as flames inch closer to key venues — including historic Riviera Golf Club, UCLA campus

By Chris Harris

It’s a threat of Olympic proportions.

The deadly Los Angeles wildfires have already scorched tens of thousands of acres, and are showing no signs of waning.

After destroying neighborhoods and waterfront mansions, the intensifying infernos now pose a very real threat to the city’s third Summer Olympics in 2028 — as flames continue to inch ever closer to many venues, including the historic Riviera Golf Club and the UCLA campus.

Walt Disney Company pledges $15 million to fund wildfire relief orgs

By Matthew Sedacca

The Walt Disney Company announced a donation of $15 million to fund groups dealing with damage wrought by the out-of-control wildfires tearing across Los Angeles County as well as the region’s eventual recovery.

Organizations set to receive funding from the House of Mouse include the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.

“As this tragedy continues to unfold, The Walt Disney Company is committed to supporting our community and our employees as we all work together to recover and rebuild from this unbelievable devastation,” said Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger.

“Walt Disney came to Los Angeles with little more than his limitless imagination, and it was here that he chose to make his home, pursue his dreams, and create extraordinary storytelling that means so much to so many people around the world. We are proud to provide assistance to this resilient and vibrant community in this moment of need.”

Palisades Fire 11% contained

By Matthew Sedacca

The Palisades Fire, the largest of the six infernos tearing across Los Angeles area, is 11% contained Saturday morning, according to Cal Fire.

The destructive inferno has engulfed an astonishing 21,596 acres since it was first ignited Tuesday, the agency said.

UCLA tells students, staff on campus: ‘stay vigilant,’ ready to evacuate

By Elisha Fieldstadt

The University of California, Los Angeles has told those on campus to be “ready to evacuate” as the Palisades Fire crept closer to the school.

“An evacuation warning has been issued to a zone adjacent to UCLA due to the Palisades fire. We are asking Bruins on campus to remain vigilant and be ready to evacuate, should the alert be extended to our campus.”

The Palisades fire, the largest blaze burning in Southern California saw a “significant flare-up” Friday evening and is only 8% contained.

California Gov. Newsom orders independent investigation after hydrants run dry: ‘We need answers’

By Fox News

California Gov. Gavin Newsom demanded an independent investigation into the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) after firefighters faced a nightmare situation: fire hydrants that had run out of water.

“From the moment firestorms erupted in Los Angeles County on Tuesday, January 7, it was clear our public infrastructure would be put under tremendous strain,” he said in a Friday letter to the LADWP.

Calling the discovery “deeply troubling,” Newsom said that losing power to hydrants as the fire seized Los Angeles’ homes “likely impaired” recovery efforts.

“The ongoing reports of the loss of water pressure to some local fire hydrants during the fires and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir are deeply troubling to me and to the community,” he said. “While water supplies from local fire hydrants are not designed to extinguish wildfires over large areas, losing supplies from fire hydrants likely impaired the effort to protect some homes and evacuation corridors.”

The California governor said that “we need answers” and that he has directed officials to prepare for an independent after-incident report focused on determining the causes of lost water supply and water pressure.

Critical fire threat remains in LA with high winds and low humidity in forecast

By Angela Barbuti

Wind gusts of up to 70 mph could pick up today and into tomorrow morning in two separate wind events, which can wreak more havoc in the Los Angeles area grappling with out-of-control fires.

The area is under a fire weather watch in effect from this afternoon through much of Sunday afternoon.

“That will more than likely be upgraded to a red flag warning,” Fox Weather meteorologist Cody Braud told The Post Saturday morning. “Once that happens, the winds will mainly be from the northeast at 15 to 30 miles per hour, but the gusts will be as high as 50 miles per hour.”

Further up, in the San Gabriel Mountains and the Santa Monica mountains, wind gusts could range from 50 to 70 miles per hour on Saturday and Sunday.

The humidity is also expected to drop Saturday, which does not help in the battle against the blazes.

“As for today, we have another what’s called a critical fire threat, which basically means that we’re likely going to see relative humidity values drop 15 or 20%, which is not ideal for fighting fires because it’s very dry,” he said.

Monday will be “much quieter,” but only for a short time until the winds ramp up again, Braud explained.

“It will be a very calm start to Monday, but as we get to the midday hours, the winds at upper elevations can start to increase back to 30, 40 miles per hour wind gusts, which would carry us into the stronger winds expected on Tuesday.”

Outraged LA residents call for ‘immediate recall’ of Mayor Karen Bass over wildfires — as petition hits over 50K signatures

By Georgia Worrell

Angry Angelenos want to filet this bass.

More than 50,000 outraged Los Angeles residents demand the ouster of lefty Mayor Karen Bass in a new petition, ripping her “gross mismanagement” in her disastrous response to the devastating wildfires ravaging the city.

“We . . . urgently call for the immediate recall of [Bass] due to her gross mismanagement and failure to effectively respond to the devastating 2025 fires in and around the city,” reads the Change.org petition created Wednesday, which had amassed 56,000 signatures by Saturday morning.

Bass was 7,400 miles away in Africa, at the inauguration of Ghana’s president, as flames began engulfing the City of Angels.

“Families have been displaced, homes destroyed, and livelihoods shattered –- yet Mayor Bass has been absent from the frontlines, choosing to travel abroad while her constituents suffer,” reads the petition, which calls for “a full, transparent investigation into the failures in disaster preparedness, response, and resource allocation that left [LA] vulnerable.”

Southern California wildfires burned nearly 38K acres heading into fourth day of inferno

By Nicholas McEntyre

Five Southern California wildfires have burned across nearly 38,000 acres as the out-of-control inferno devastates the Golden State for a fourth day.

Palisades Fire

The Palisades Fire, the oldest and largest of the fires, has consumed an astounding 21,596 acres of land since it first ignited Tuesday morning.

Crews have only contained eight percent of the inferno in the Pacific Palisades – Malibu and inching closer to Los Angeles with the Bel Air neighborhood under evacuation warnings.

Over 5,000 structures have been destroyed by the fire that has killed at least five people.

Eaton Fire

The Pasadena, Altadena blaze, which formed Tuesday evening, has taken over 14,117 acres as firefighters have only contained three percent of the deadly fire.

Officials have blamed the fire for at least 6 deaths.

Estimations from aerial drone shots calculated roughly 7,081 structures to be damaged or destroyed by the flames.

Kenneth Fire

The Santa Monica Mountains fire in the West Hills has burned through 1,052 acres and is 50 percent contained.

Lidia Fire

The Lidia Fire, which began on Soledad Canyon Road in Acton Wednesday afternoon is nearly fully contained.

The blaze, which is north of Los Angeles above the Angeles National Forest has destroyed 395 acres and is 98 percent contained.

Archer Fire

The newest of the fires in the area started at around 11:30 Friday morning in the Granada Hills neighborhood.

It has only torched 19 acres but was brought under control.

‘Significant’ Palisades fire flare-up forces evacuations in LA neighborhoods as blaze heads east toward Bel Air

By Nicholas McEntyre

The raging Palisades Fire saw another flare-up and is threatening several communities, including the celebrity hot spot Bel Air as the raging inferno inches closer east in Los Angeles.

Portions of the Brentwood and Encino neighborhoods in west LA were told to evacuate after the blaze – which is only eight percent contained – saw a “significant flare-up” Friday evening.

“The Palisades fire has got a new significant flare-up on the eastern portion and continues to move northeast,” LAFD Captain Erik Scott told KTLA.

The update sent evacuation orders to multiple zones as they were ordered to leave because of the “immediate threat to life.”

Parts of Bel Air from the I-405 Freeway to Bellagio Road and down to Sunset Boulevard were included in the evacuation warning area.

Students residing at UCLA were told to be on high alert and be prepared to evacuate if needed.

The Friday into Saturday evacuations affected the West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, as buses were loaded to escape the flames, Fox LA reporter Cristy Fajardo posted on X.

Officials closed down multiple off-ramps on the I-405 Freeway around the areas threatened by the fire.

Sister of California man who died clutching hose as he tried to save family home from Eaton Fire recalls his final moments

By Nicholas McEntyre

The sister of the California man who died while protecting his family home with a garden hose from the Eaton Fire recalled her final moments with her brother as she tried to get him to leave the dangerous area.

Victor Shaw, 66, was sleeping inside the Altadena bungalow he shared with his younger sister on Monterosa Drive when the blaze made its way down the nearby mountain and onto the cul-de-sac.

“Victor, we have to get out!” Shari Shaw recalled yelling at her brother, the LA Times reported. “We have to get out of here!”

The elder Shaw – who suffered from diabetes and chronic kidney disease making it difficult for him to move around – did not wake up to his younger sister’s frantic yelling and shaking.

“Victor, the fire is coming close,” she said kicking him in the foot. “It’s not safe to stay.”

Former Australian child actor with cerebral palsy killed in Palisades Fire — not a part of official death toll

By Nicholas McEntyre

A blind Australian child actor with cerebral palsy was killed when the flames of the Palisades Fire tore through his family’s Malibu cottage, his mother announced on social media.

Rory Callum Sykes, 32, a British-born Australian had been living on his family’s 17-acre estate.

“It is with great sadness that I have to announce the death of my beautiful son to the Malibu fires yesterday,” his heartbroken mom, Shelley Sykes wrote on X.

“He overcame so much with surgeries & therapies to regain his sight & to be able to learn to walk. Despite the pain, he still enthused about traveling the world with me from Africa to Antarctica,” she added.

Rory Sykes with his mom, Shelley. Sykes died inside his cottage on his family's Malibu estate.
Rory Sykes with his mom, Shelley. Sykes died inside his cottage on his family’s Malibu estate.Shelley Sykes/X

Along with being diagnosed with cerebral palsy, Sykes was born blind and had trouble walking.

The self-contained cottage caught fire when embers from the deadly blaze landed on the roof, trapping the man inside, according to 10 News First.

The heartbroken mother said she attempted to move her son out of the burning building but an injury stopped her.

“He said ‘Mom leave me’ and no mom can leave their kid,” she told the outlet fighting through tears.

“I’ve got a broken arm, I couldn’t lift him, I couldn’t move him,” added.

His mother said she tried to spray the burning roof with a hose but was unsuccessful, claiming the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District had shut off her water.

The “50 brave firefighters” were also faced with battling the raging inferno in the area without water, Sykes added.

Along with being waterless, Sykes said she couldn’t call for help because “911” wouldn’t work and instead drove a quarter mile through the smoke-filled roads to find first responders.

When Sykes and the firefighters returned to the property, the cottage had burned down.

Rory’s death is not part of the 11 fire-related fatalities that the Los Angeles Medical Examiner announced, as his remains have not yet been recovered, the outlet reported.

Firefighters told Sykes that her son died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

“I didn’t want any pain for my baby,” Sykes cried.

Sykes was a former child actor and hosted British RTV Show ‘Kiddy Kapers’ in 1998, according to NewsAU.

Firefighters battle the blazes of several wildfires across Los Angeles as inferno pushes into Encino

By Nicholas McEntyre

A helicopter drops water on the Palisades Fire near the Encino neighborhood in Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 2025.
A helicopter drops water on the Palisades Fire near the Encino neighborhood in Los Angeles on Jan. 10, 2025.AFP via Getty Images
A burned tree stands in front of the glow of fire and smoke from the Palisades Fire burning behind Mulholland Drive.
A burned tree stands in front of the glow of fire and smoke from the Palisades Fire burning behind Mulholland Drive.AFP via Getty Images
Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department watch as a fire burns in the distance.
Firefighters from the Los Angeles County Fire Department watch as a fire burns on a mountain in the distance.Anadolu via Getty Images
Firefighters spray water on a hotspot at a commercial building destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif.
Firefighters spray water on a hotspot at a commercial building destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif.REUTERS

Disney donates $15M to fire relief efforts in Los Angeles

By Anna Young

The Walt Disney Company is donating $15 million to fire relief and rebuilding efforts in Los Angeles as the deadly infernos continue to devastate Southern California, the company announced Friday.

The Mikey Mouse organization, led by CEO Bob Iger, will provide funds to essential on-the-ground organizations in the City of Angels, including the American Red Cross, the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, and more, Disney said in a news release.

“As this tragedy continues to unfold, The Walt Disney Company is committed to supporting our community and our employees as we all work together to recover and rebuild from this unbelievable devastation,” Iger said in a statement.

“Walt Disney came to Los Angeles with little more than his limitless imagination, and it was here that he chose to make his home, pursue his dreams, and create extraordinary storytelling that means so much to so many people around the world. We are proud to provide assistance to the resilient and vibrant community in this moment of need.”

Resources will also be directed to the company’s Employee Relief Fund.

Fires raging across Los Angeles have killed at least 11 people and destroyed or damaged roughly 10,000 structures since erupting on Tuesday.

LAFD issues new evacuation order as Palisades Fire worsens

By Anna Young

The Los Angeles Fire Department issued new evacuation orders as the Palisades Fire ripping through Southern California worsened Friday night.

Officials upgraded the warning to a mandatory order from Sunset Boulevard north to Encino Reservoir, from Interstate 405 west to Mandeville Canyon, according to fire officials.

“Evacuate now from the area of Sunset to Mandeville to Encino Reservoir to the 405 freeway,” the alert read.

“Those not in the evacuation area should shelter in place.”

The blaze — one of five currently raging across the area — is just 8% contained and has burned 21,317 acres since it broke out Tuesday.

Mayor’s office denies firing LAFD chief after summoning her to mayor’s office

By Nikki Mascali Roarty

Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley was summoned to Mayor Karen Bass’ office for a closed-door meeting hours after she slammed the city’s leadership over its handling of the fire department’s budget as deadly wildfires continue to rip through Southern California, according to reports.

The meeting started at 4 p.m., NBC reported, citing sources.

The pair were noticeably absent from a press briefing providing updates on the firestorm around 6 p.m. local time.

The mayor’s office denied media reports that Crowley was fired.

“This is false,” it said in a statement to ABC7.

Chief Kristin Crowley met with Mayor Karen Bass after inflammatory comments earlier in the day.FOX LA

“The Mayor and Chief met. The priority remains fighting these fires and protecting Angelenos,” according to ABC7’s Josh Haskell.

During an interview with Fox News’ affiliate KTTV on Friday, Crowley admitted Bass failed the department and the thousands of Angelenos whose homes have either been destroyed or damaged since the devastating fires broke out Tuesday.

“We are screaming to be properly funded to make sure that our firefighters can do their jobs so that we can serve the community,” the Bravest boss said.

85-year-old woman who refused to leave her home and pets killed in Palisades Fire

By Anna Young

An 85-year-old woman was killed in the Palisades Fire after she refused to leave her home and pets behind as the raging infernos broke out in Los Angeles earlier this week, her home-health care company confirmed.

Annette Rossilli rejected offers from a caregiver to leave her home as the Palisades Fire broke out Tuesday morning, opting instead to remain with her dog, canary, two parrots and turtle, according to Fay Vahdani, president of Luxe Homecare, CNN reported.

The body of the mother of two, who lived alone and received in-home care three days a week, was found in her car by firefighters on Wednesday, Vahdani and Rossilli’s family told the outlet.

Rossilli, who ran a plumbing business in Pacific Palisades with her late husband for several years, was described as a kind, friendly and grateful person, according to Luxe Homecare.

Fires raging across Los Angeles have killed at least 11 people, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said Friday.

Stunning mansion from ‘Hacks’ is among the Hollywood landmarks destroyed by the LA wildfires

By Mary Jacob

Among the devastation this week during the Los Angeles wildfires, several historic Hollywood landmarks — beloved filming locations for classic films and hit TV shows — have been reduced to rubble.

One of the most notable losses is the famed 1915 Spanish Colonial Revival mansion in Altadena, prominently featured in the award-winning Max comedy series “Hacks.”

The Altadena home at 1366 E Palm St where 'Hacks' was filmed has been destroyed in the LA wildfires.
The Altadena home at 1366 E. Palm St. where “Hacks” was filmed has been destroyed in the LA wildfires.YouTube.com

The estate, which served as the lavish “side mansion” of Jean Smart’s character Deborah Vance, has reportedly been gutted by the raging Eaton Fire.

LAFD chief slams city leadership for mishandling fire budget amid deadly wildfires: ‘Screaming to be properly funded’

By Anna Young

Los Angeles Fire Chief Kirstin Crowley slammed the city’s leadership over its handling of the fire department’s budget as deadly wildfires continue to rip through Southern California.

During an interview with Fox News’ affiliate KTTV on Friday, Crowley was asked three consecutive times if LA Mayor Karen Bass failed the department and the thousands whose homes have either been destroyed or damaged since the devastating fires broke out Tuesday.

“Yes,” she responded.

“We are screaming to be properly funded to make sure that our firefighters can do their jobs so that we can serve the community,” Crowley told the outlet.

“Since day one, we’ve identified huge gaps in regard to our service delivery and our ability of our firefighters’ boots on the ground to do their jobs since day one.”

Crowley said Mayor Karen Bass, center, failed the city.ALLISON DINNER/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Crowley said the department remains understaffed, underfunded and under-resourced, pressing that budget cuts will ultimately impact service.

“This is no longer sustainable,” she continued.

“So when you talk about sounding the alarm and asking and requesting budgets that are easily justifiable based off of the data, real data shows what the fire department needs to serve this beautiful city and the beautiful community that we swore that we would. That’s what that is about.”

Bass has faced scorching criticism over reports she cut the city’s fire department budget by $17.5 million ahead of this week’s vicious blazes — and that she was thousands of miles away in Africa celebrating Ghana’s presidential inauguration when they broke out.

LA fires could be fanned by strong 70 mph winds next week, meteorologists warn: ‘Can’t let your guard down’

By Natalie O’Neill

They’re not out of the woods.

Powerful winds are expected to return to the wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles area early next week — fanning flames and potentially sparking new blazes, meteorologists warned Friday.

“You can’t let your guard down,” FOX Weather meteorologist Cody Braud told The Post. “This is a wind event that could really exacerbate the problem.”

A view of flames at the mountain as seen from Topanga Canyon near Pacific Palisades in Topanga, Los Angeles, California
A view of flames at the mountain as seen from Topanga Canyon near Pacific Palisades on Jan. 9, 2025.Anadolu via Getty Images

Hurricane-strength Santa Ana winds that caused raging wildfires to rapidly rip through the area this week had died down to just 10 mph as of Friday — but will likely grow strong again starting Monday night, he said.

Comedian Whitney Cummings slams the LAFD ‘s ‘lesbian’ leadership: video

By Anna Young

Whitney Cummings joined a chorus of critics slamming the Los Angeles Fire Department for placing diversity, equity and inclusion programs over the safety of residents as apocalyptic wildfires cause mass destruction in Southern California.

She accused the “lesbian” leadership of only hiring within their “dating pool.”

“Wait, all the people in charge of LA’s fire response are lesbians named Kirstin?” the stand-up comedian and actress said in a video posted to X Friday afternoon. 

In the video, Cummings displayed a X post calling out LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley, Assistant Chief Kristina Kepner, and Equity Bureau Chief Kristine Larson.

“I do not recall voting on a prop that said we could recruit our fire team off Grindr. What?!”

The “2 Broke Girls” creator, who shared an emotional video of her evacuating her LA home on Friday, slammed the agency’s attempt to only recruit members of the LGBTQ+ community.

“Talking about recruiting more lesbians into the LAFD to be firefighters,” she said.

“I think lesbians can be firefighters…I’m not thinking about your genitals or your preferences when I need a hero…but why is it OK?”

She compared the recruitment efforts to a woman requesting more “hot guys” to be firefighters.

Reservoir in worst fire-ravaged area of LA had been drained for repairs when blaze erupted

By Kate Sheehy

A major reservoir in the area being ravaged by the worst wildfire in Los Angeles history had been drained and closed for repairs when the deadly blaze broke out this week, a report said Friday.

The troubling news surfaced two days after firefighters in the Pacific Palisades region ran out of water from local hydrants because of low water pressure — as flames raged in full force.

A firefighter stands in the Angeles National Forest as the burning fire glows in the distance.
A firefighter stands in the Angeles National Forest as the burning fire glows in the background.REUTERS

The 117-million-gallon Santa Ynez Reservoir was undergoing fixes to its torn cover when the historic horrific Palisades Fire broke out in the tony enclave in Los Angeles County on Tuesday.

Death toll rises to 11

By Kate Sheehy

At least 11 people are now believed to have died in the LA wildfire, officials said Friday.

The death toll involves six dead in the Eaton Fire and five who perished in the Palisades Fire, according to the county coroner’s office.

The deaths are all being investigated as fire-related.

Gov. Newsom demands probe into water pressure and availability issues as deadly historic wildfires continue to rage

By Anna Young

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newson demands “answers” after fire hydrants lost pressure and went dry as historic wildfires ripped through Los Angeles County this week.

Newsom called for an independent investigation in a letter addressed to Janisse Quinones, CEO and chief engineer of the city’s Department of Water and Power.

“The ongoing reports of the loss of water pressure to some local fire hydrants during the fires and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir are deeply troubling to me and to the community,” he wrote in a letter posted on X Friday. 

Newsom called the unavailability of water supplies “troubling.”

“While water supplies from local fire hydrants are not designed to extinguish wildfires over large areas, losing supplies from the fire hydrants likely impaired the effort to protect some homes and evacuation corridors.

“We need answers to how that happened,” he added.

Newsom, who has been widely criticized since the destructive fires broke out Tuesday, said he also wants the investigation to target measures officials can take to improve preparation against future fires.

LA Mayor Bass rejects FDNY’s offer to help — despite not having enough firefighters to battle blazes still raging: sources

By Craig McCarthy and Kate Sheehy

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass rebuffed an offer by the FDNY to help try to contain the area’s deadly fires — even though California officials have said they don’t have enough firefighters themselves, The Post has learned.

New York City fire Commissioner Robert Tucker made the helpful overture to the embattled Bass in recent days, as five blazes rage around Los Angeles and its suburbs, killing at least 10 people and destroying thousands of homes and businesses, sources said Friday.

Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills
Fire crews battle the Kenneth Fire in the West Hills.AP

JetBlue even offered to pay for the city smoke-eaters’ flights across the country from the Big Apple to Los Angeles, sources said.

Owner of ‘miracle’ Malibu mansion reveals why he thinks house survived raging fire

By Kate Sheehy

The owner of a nearly $9 million Malibu mansion miraculously spared being leveled by the raging Los Angeles wildfires told The Post on Friday he was stunned to learn that when the smoke cleared, it was still standing.

“It’s a miracle — miracles never cease,” said retired waste-management exec and married dad of three David Steiner, 64, of Texas.

Steiner said he thought his stunning three-story California structure — which was vacant at the time — was a goner when a local contractor sent him video of flames and smoke engulfing his property and his neighbors’ Tuesday.

A three-story Malibu mansion worth nearly $9 million, located along the Pacific Coast Highway, miraculously spared from raging wildfires.
The Malibu property is worth nearly $9 million and located along the Pacific Coast Highway.London Entertainment for NY Post

Then people started contacting him saying, “Your house is all over the news,’’ Steiner said of the extraordinary photos capturing his unique white three-story structure standing like a beacon in the middle of the charred smoking remains of neighboring multimillion-dollar properties.

“I started getting pictures and realized we had made it through,’’ Steiner said.

California National Guard on the ground to help quell disorder in Altadena, Santa Monica: photos

By Kaydi Pelletier

A member of the California National Guard talks to a resident, in the area affected by devastating Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif.REUTERS
California’s National Guard soldiers hit the streets Friday to help quell disorder after massive wildfires that engulfed whole neighborhoods and displaced thousands in Los Angeles.REUTERS
A member of the California National Guard talks to a person in a car, in the area affected by devastating Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Friday.REUTERS
Sheriff’s deputies and members of the California National Guard stand at a roadblock on New York Drive in the area affected by devastating Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Friday.REUTERS
Residents trying to return to their homes speak with a member of the National Guard in the area affected by devastating wildfires, in Santa Monica on Friday.REUTERS
A resident speaks with a member of the National Guard at the check point in the area affected by devastating wildfires, in Santa Monica.REUTERS
A National Guard soldier speaks with a police officer at a roadblock in Altadena, California, on January 10, 2025, during the Eaton Fire.AFP via Getty Images
Residents speak with a member of the National Guard at a check point in the devastated area of Santa Monica.REUTERS
More than 180,000 people have been forced to evacuate their Los Angeles County homes since Tuesday.REUTERS

Archer Fire, 6th one to break out in LA since Tuesday, quickly contained: report

By Kaydi Pelletier

The Archer Fire, the sixth to break out in Los Angeles County this week, was contained late Friday morning not long after some brush caught flames in the Granada Hills neighborhood, FOX11 LA reports.

Archer Fire
A one-acre wildfire called the Archer Fire broke out in Granada Hills, Calif., Friday.FOX LA

The fire burned 31 acres, the local outlet said.

New fire breaks out in LA, prompting mandatory evacuations

By Elisha Fieldstadt

A sixth Los Angeles County wildfire sparked Friday, prompting evacuations in Granada Hills, officials said.

The Archer Fire prompted evacuations in Granada Hills on Friday.
The Archer Fire prompted evacuations in Granada Hills on Friday.FOX LA

LA Mayor Karen Bass announced the mandatory evacuation order for the neighborhood south of Santa Clarita.

The newest blaze, dubbed the Archer Fire, is 0% contained, according to Cal Fire.

Biden says death toll is expected to increase

By Caroline McCarthy

President Biden told reporters on Friday that he expects the death toll from the California wildfires to grow, though he is unsure by what amount.

US President Joe Biden listens during a briefing on the federal response to the Los Angeles wildfires in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 10, 2025.
President Biden listens during a briefing on the federal response to the Los Angeles wildfires in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on Jan. 10, 2025.AFP via Getty Images

“Whether it’s significantly or not, we don’t know yet,” he said. “There are still a lot of people who are unaccounted for. We don’t know where they are,” Biden said, according to the New York Times.

The Southern California fires have killed at least 10 people so far.

Palisades fire surpasses 20,000 acres, now 8% contained

By Patrick Reilly

The Palisades Fire has expanded to 20,348 acres (32 square miles) but is now 8% contained after firefighters made progress in favorable conditions overnight, LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said in an update Friday.

More than 3,000 firefighting personnel are battling the blaze — the largest of the five fires burning in Southern California — and are working “to strengthen containment lines and address multiple spot fires in and around the Topanga Canyon area,” the chief said.

“Wind gusts are expected to increase in daylight hours that will test our containment lines,” Crowley said.

“Our firefighters will continue to respond to any flare-ups,” she added.

Evacuation orders in the area remain in place.

LA Mayor Karen Bass gets defensive again over fire response criticisms

By Patrick Reilly

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass snapped back at a reporter who asked her about those criticizing the city’s response to the deadly wildfires.

The mayor reiterated her response from Thursday, saying she was focused on protecting people’s lives and properties ahead of next week’s anticipated heavy winds — and eventually getting the city back on its feet.

“I want the residents of Los Angeles region to have faith in what we are doing 24 hours a day,” she said at a news conference Friday.

“We are doing everything we can to bring this situation under control — and success has been reported,” she said.

Bass said her administration’s job is “to protect people’s homes, to protect people’s businesses, and to prepare to rebuild Los Angeles in a much better way.”

“We’re going to stand united. We’re going to stand together. And we are not going to allow politics to interfere. And we’re not going to allow people to divide us for political gain.”

Bass has been lambasted for being 7,400 miles away in Africa as the fires ravaged the city and for cutting fire department funding by $17.6 million.

Altadena, Pacific Palisades residents survey smoldering rubble where their homes once stood, in newest apocalyptic photos

By Caroline McCarthy

Fires continued through Southern California Friday morning, leaving residents of affected neighborhoods horrified by the destruction.

Lissa Renn looks at remains of her neighborhood In Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
Lissa Renn looks at remains of her neighborhood In Altadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.AP
Garrett Yost puts out hotspots with water from a nearby pool while surveying his neighbors' fire-ravaged properties in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire.
Garrett Yost puts out hotspots with water from a nearby pool while surveying his neighbors’ fire-ravaged properties in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire.AP
Damage to structures is seen from hilltop perspective in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 in Altadena
Damage to structures is seen from hilltop perspective in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 in Altadena.AP
A staircase is left partially standing in a property in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los AngelesA staircase is left partially standing in a property in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles
A staircase is left partially standing in a property in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles.AP
Cars are left charred inside a dealership in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 in Altadena, Calif.
Cars are left charred inside a dealership in the aftermath of the Eaton Fire Friday, Jan. 10, 2025 in Altadena, Calif.AP
Office remains following the Palisades Fire at the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 10, 2025.
Office remains following the Palisades Fire at the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 10, 2025.REUTERS
Burned-out cars and homes reduced to rubble by the Eaton Fire are seen in Altadena, California, on January 10, 2025.
Burned-out cars and homes reduced to rubble by the Eaton Fire are seen in Altadena, California, on January 10, 2025.AFP via Getty Images

Eaton Fire continues to grow, now at 13,000 acres and only 3% contained

By Patrick Reilly

The Eaton Fire, the second-largest of the five wildfires burning in Southern California, has grown to 13,690 acres (21 square miles), LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said in an update Friday morning.

Between 4,000 and 5,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed in the fire, which is only 3% contained three days after it started.

Spots of the Eaton Fire still burn after the fire swept through the mountains of the Angeles National Forest near Mount Wilson Observatory, north of Pasadena, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.
Spots of the Eaton Fire still burn after the fire swept through the mountains of the Angeles National Forest near Mount Wilson Observatory, north of Pasadena, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025.AP

The flames moved toward Mt. Wilson, home to the historic observatory, but the observatory is “OK” and no buildings have been destroyed there.

Some 1,527 firefighting personnel have been deployed to confront the Eaton Fire.

Firefighters put out a fire burning inside a tree after the Eaton Fire burned through the mountains of the Angeles National Forest near Mount Wilson Observatory
Firefighters put out a fire burning inside a tree after the Eaton Fire burned through the mountains of the Angeles National Forest near Mount Wilson Observatory.AP

One firefighter was seriously injured after suffering a “significant fall” and is recovering in the hospital, Marrone said.

The cause of the fire remains unknown.

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