Los Angeles authorities are urgently preparing for the return of high winds as multiple wildfires continue to burn in the area.
At least 24 people are dead and about 92,000 people are under evacuation orders, while nine people have been charged with looting.
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Key Events
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Interactive maps document damage to homes
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Emmy award among items stolen as 9 people are charged with looting
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Aussie expat says situation in LA 'completely indescribable'
Why Australians may have to pay for an insurance crisis in LA
California's devastating wildfires have exposed an insurance crisis plaguing many disaster-prone areas around the world, and risk pushing up premiums in Australia.
The insurance price tag for the Los Angeles fires is estimated to be more than $US20 billion ($32 billion).
The hefty payouts come as many Californians have had their insurance policies cancelled.
And given the global nature of the market, experts say the impacts will not only be felt in the US.
You can read more about that here:
Comcast and Netflix pledge combined $20 million to wildfire relief
Netflix and Comcast NBC Universal pledged $US10 million each to organisations offering aid to victims of the LA-area wildfires.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos said its donation would be split among five recipients including World Central Kitchen and the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
Comcast Corporation Chairman and CEO Brian L Roberts allocated $US2.5 million of its $US10 million cash commitment to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles’ ReBUILD LA initiative. The remainder of the money would go to other charitable foundations helping victims.
Numerous entertainment companies and celebrities have pledged millions to help victims of the catastrophic fires burning in and around Los Angeles.
Last week, Disney announced it would send $US 15 million to charities helping those affected by the disaster.
Residents pack essentials in case they are forced to evacuate
(Reuters: Jackie Luna)
Retired US Navy managers Jim Keller and his wife, Carol Ecklund, pack essentials in case they are forced to evacuate if a red flag wind event sparks a wildfire nearby, at their home in Ventura, California.
There is currently a red flag warning for the Ventura County Valleys, Western San Fernando Valley and Ventura County Coast.
"We have lots of concerns about the red flag warnings," Mr Keller told Reuters.
"We've been monitoring the fires every day, viewing the Cal Fire map, wind speeds, wind direction, trying to assess whether we're in particular danger for the day or not, so yeah, we watch that every day."
Their dog Rowan is ready to go if needed (Reuters: Jackie Luna)
A red flag warning means critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly.
Residents who are near wildland interfaces have been told to be prepared to evacuate.
Reporting with Reuters
Donald Trump intends to visit southern California soon, Reuters reports
Donald Trump intends to visit California after he is inaugurated president to survey wildfire damage and assess emergency needs, a source has told Reuters.
"As for California, president-elect Trump intends on going, timing to be determined," the source said.
It could be late next week.
Trump is to be inaugurated on Monday, January 20.
ICYMI: Los Angeles County DA Nathan Hochman announces looting charges
Much of Los Angeles to remain under extreme fire danger warning
A large portion of south-west California spanning eight counties around Los Angeles is under a red flag warning for extreme fire danger until at least Wednesday.
Certain areas of LA and Ventura counties, including valleys, foothills and mountains throughout the Santa Monica and Santa Susana ranges, were in what the National Weather Service calls a "particularly dangerous situation".
The Palisades and Eaton fires are burning on the southern side of that area, and hurricane-force winds are forecast to return on Tuesday.
The weather service urges residents to “stay aware of your surroundings. Be ready to evacuate. Avoid anything that can spark a fire.”
Reporting with AP
FBI searches for operator of drone that struck firefighting plane
The FBI says that it is soliciting information that might identify the operator of a drone that collided with a firefighting aircraft in California last week.
The plane was damaged while conducting fire suppression near Malibu.
It safely landed but was sidelined for repairs. It is expected to return to service on Tuesday.
The FBI says the drone was flying in violation of temporary flight restrictions from the Federal Aviation Administration. The impact left a 15.2-centimetre long hole in the plane's wing.
Reporting with AP
Biden says Congress needs to 'step up' and help fund wildfire rebuild
Joe Biden at a briefing on the wildfires (Reuters: Evelyn Hockstein )
President Joe Biden says the federal government is covering most costs associated with the wildfire devastation in Los Angeles for the next 180 days, but that it will take tens of billions of dollars to get the city fully back, so Congress "needs to step up" and provide funding.
Holding a briefing with federal officials at the White House on Monday evening, Biden also thanked the firefighters and first responders, saying, "You're the angels."
Attending the briefing was Vice-President Kamala Harris, a California native who has a home in Los Angeles and called what has happened there "truly heartbreaking".
It comes after Republican Speaker for the House of Representatives Mike Johnson told reporters there "should probably be conditions" on disaster aid to California.
Johnson said there had been water resource mismanagement and forest mismanagement in California.
"It does come down to leadership and it appears to us that state and local leaders were derelict in their duty in many respects," Johnson said.
He said conditions on disaster aid were his personal view and that he hadn't had a chance to "socialise that with any of the members because we've all been very busy, but it'll be part of the discussion for sure".
Metallica donates $US500,000 to wildfire relief
Metallica’s foundation All Within My Hands will contribute $US500,000 to Los Angeles-area wildfire relief, the band announced on Monday.
The donations will be sent to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund and the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund to aid their efforts.
Metallica launched the All Within My Hands nonprofit in 2017.
According to the foundation’s mission statement, it is “dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services”.
They join numerous celebrities who have opened funds or begun fundraising efforts for the disaster.
Mexican firefighters prepare to battle LA blazes
(Reuters)
A contingent of 72 Mexican firefighters have received a briefing from US fire officials on Monday alongside their American counterparts before heading out to help fight the wildfires plaguing Southern California.
The group is made up of military specialists, including doctors, engineers and search and rescue personnel, as well as a group of firefighters from Mexico's equivalent of the US Forest Service.
The Mexican team will join firefighters from seven states and Canada to try to bring the inferno under control.
"They are now assigned to the fire where they're going to be engaging on the fire line, basically working as a hand crew," said Edwin Zuniga, public information officer for Cal Fire.
"So building a containment line, reinforcement containment line, engaging on the fire directly if need so."
The Mexican firefighters' deployment duration is uncertain, according to Zuniga. It could be a week or three weeks.
Reporting with Reuters
Interactive maps document damage to homes
LA County Recovers, a government-run program has posted interactive maps on its website that show homes and other structures that have been damaged.
Houses are coded in different colours to communicate levels of damage (LA County Recovers)
The maps for the Eaton and Palisades fires allow users to click on an icon and get a description of the type of structure, such as a home or commercial building, and the type of damage, such as "major" or "destroyed."
The maps shows how in some cases, one home can be completely destroyed while the house next door can remain standing.
(LA County Recovers)
Addresses may be entered into a search bar to find a specific location.
Users can also see photos of the damaged buildings.
The interactive map provides images of homes liste (LA County Recovers)
More on the Azusa arson charge
A man has been charged with lighting a tree on fire at a park in Azusa, which is outside the immediate fire zone.
This fire is not related to any of the three active wildfires.
The man, who was identified as Jose Carranza-Escobar, was found standing next to the flames and was detained and later admitted to starting the fire.
He was arrested for arson.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department was able to quickly extinguish the fire.
LAPD says it is 'aware' of other crimes
LAPD Chief Detective Alan Hamilton told reporters he expected additional charges over more crimes would be announced.
He said he was aware of more reports of theft and looting in fire-affected areas and they were being investigated.
"I think most people are aware that various individuals were attempting to identify themselves as firefighters, we continue to make progress on that case and I anticipate that is going to result in a successful filing as well," he said.
"The Los Angeles Police Department is going to continue those investigations and take it wherever they lead to and I anticipate we will be announcing additional arrests in the very near future."
He said police would also be undercover and working on social media to bring "every single one of these individuals that are involved in this criminal activity to justice".
Emmy award among items stolen as 9 people are charged with looting
The Los Angeles district attorney has just held a press conference announcing 10 people had been charged in relation to "criminal behaviour" in evacuation areas.
Nine people have been charged with looting in the Palisades and Eaton fire areas and one with arson.
"The arson charge was not connected with the origination of the major fires but an arson that occurred in Azusa," District Attorney Nathan Hochman told reporters.
On one occasion, three people were charged with residential burglary where they allegedly went into a house in Altadena and stole a resident's Emmy award.
It was not revealed who the homeowner was but police managed to retrieve the statue.
"These felony charges are a result of a multi-agency collaboration that has been nothing short of impressive to bring these charges quickly."
In another case, two of the charged individuals allegedly committed residential first degree burglary and looting during an emergency evacuation situation at a house in Mandeville Canyon on January 8.
They were allegedly caught on a ring camera and stole more than $US200,000 worth of items.
In another case, two people were charged over a looting incident in Altadena.
They allegedly entered two different houses and stole property in each.
"You will be caught if you engage in these crimes," Mr Hochman said.
"The 10 charges are evidence of that fact."
Grammys to proceed as planned at this stage
The Grammys, slated for February 2, will "proceed as planned" despite the fires, the Recording Academy says.
In a letter to Academy members obtained by AFP, organisers said the 67th annual music awards gala would take place at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown LA "in close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources".
"This year's show, however, will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honouring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours," Academy head Harvey Mason Jr said in the letter.
"The Grammys will not only honour the artistry and achievements of our music community but also serve as a platform to amplify the spirit of resilience that defines this great city of Los Angeles."
Palisades pastor says sense of loss 'overwhelming'
The Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church was destroyed in the Palisades fire.
Reverend Matthew Hardin, tells News Breakfast his church has lost “so much”.
“I am feeling 100 different things at once, honestly. Hour to hour it’s different.
“A number of our church members have already found out their home is gone and others are hoping and praying. It is still a very intense time for us.
“You feel an overwhelming sense of loss and pain and then at the same time you feel a sense of love and hope because of what the community and what people and strangers and individuals and organisations and churches all over the world are reaching out with offers of support and encouragement.”
Los Angeles area braces for critical conditions
Fresh photos of California have emerged this morning as locals and authorities prepare for more extreme weather.
A sign warns of extreme conditions in Malibu (Reuters: Mike Blake )
(Reuters: Mike Blake )
Cheryl Tahtinen, a resident since 1979, walks past destroyed homes in Altadena (Reuters: Shannon Stapleton)
How well prepared is Australia's aerial firefighting fleet?
Los Angeles firefighters have taken to the skies to tackle blazes, water-bombing from above in an attempt to get hold of the blazes raging across the city.
In the past, Australia has sent its own fleet of aircraft to assist with fires burning overseas, but with the country still in peak bushfire season and having already battled a number of blazes, it is on stand-by locally.
It's a well-resourced fleet with a growing number of water-bombers ready to strike any bushfire that flares up across the summer period.
So what is it like?
Authorities seeing price gouging and scams
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said officials were starting to see criminals emerge.
Nearly three dozen people have been arrested for looting since the fires began last week.
Hochman added that price gouging has been happening with hotels and short-term rentals and medical supplies. Scammers are also contacting people for fake GoFundMe efforts, though he said the organisation had done a good job of putting protections against this in place and recommended making such donations through that site.
"The criminals have decided that this is an opportunity and I'm here to tell you this is not an opportunity. You will be arrested," Hochman said.
Reporting with AFP
Oscar nominees lunch cancelled due to fires
The body that awards the Oscars said on Monday it was cancelling its ritzy nominees luncheon.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences also moved its nomination announcement online, as Hollywood tries to navigate the sombre mood at a time it would usually be in full red carpet throttle.
"We are all devastated by the impact of the fires and the profound losses experienced by so many in our community," said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and president Janet Yang.
"The Academy has always been a unifying force within the film industry, and we are committed to standing together in the face of hardship."
The names of Oscar finalists will now be announced in a virtual event on January 23, while the nominees luncheon — a champagne-swilling celebration of all those up for statuettes — is off, the Academy said.
Reporting with AFP
