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LOS ANGELES - The federal government is deploying resources to Southern California as wildfires continue to rage, destroying countless homes and businesses and leaving at least two people dead.
There were at least five separate fires burning as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds.
LIVE: Palisades Fire forces mass evacuations, leaves 1,000 structures destroyed
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Biden, Newsom briefed on LA wildfires
President Biden, Gov. Newsom and several LA county leaders and agencies provided an update Wednesday morning on the wildfires burning across Los Angeles County.
According to the White House, the federal government is deploying the following resources to Southern California:
- 5 U.S. Forest Service Large Air Tankers operating in Southern California with an additional Tanker en route
- 10 Federal firefighting helicopters performing operations in the area in support of State and local firefighters
- Dozens of fire engines prepositioned by the U.S. Forest Service that are ready to be deployed as needed
- Fire Management Assistance Grants to reimburse the state for firefighting costs that FEMA approved last night
RELATED: Hazardous air quality reported in Los Angeles area as wildfires rage
Flames from the wind-driven Eaton Fire engulf a house in Altadena, California, January 8, 2025. (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
California wildfires latest
As of 11 a.m. Wednesday, more than 30,000 residents were under evacuation orders for the five fires burning in Southern California.
Two deaths were reported in the Eaton fire in Pasadena, with several more seriously injured.
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LA County doesn't have enough fire personnel to handle current crisis
LA County officials said they do not have enough fire personnel to handle the current crisis in LA County.
Hundreds of cars were abandoned as people fled on foot. First responders had to bring in a bulldozer to get the cars out of the way so emergency vehicles could get through.
More than 400,000 people were without power as of Wednesday morning.
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Smoke from the raging Southern California wildfires is filling city skylines, causing officials to warn residents of hazardous air quality.
RELATED: Watch: Palisades Fire creates apocalyptic scene along L.A. highway
AirNow.gov has marked air quality all around Los Angeles as "hazardous," the worst possible rating for air quality. It means just about everyone could experience problems from breathing the air.
RELATED: How to stop wildfire smoke from getting into your home and car
The widespread flames have put immense strain on the water system in Los Angeles. In the Palisades, the amount of water used for firefighting efforts has used four times the normal demand over a short period of time.
During a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said roughly 13,200 structures are threatened, including 10,367 residences.
While some structures have been damaged, there’s no word on the total number of buildings that have been damaged or destroyed.