California wildfires live: Firefighters race to douse eastward spread before Santa Ana winds pick up again

California fire live updates: On Saturday, California governor Gavin Newsom took to X to respond to Elon Musk’s claims that Democrats had decriminalised looting amid several cases emerging as fires rage in Los Angeles.

“Stop encouraging looting by lying and telling people it’s decriminalized. It’s not. It’s illegal, as it always has been. Bad actors will be arrested and prosecuted,” Newsom had said.

California fire live updates: Katherine Fleming, president and CEO of the J. Paul Getty Trust, said the art galleries are “safe and protected” and are being closely monitored.

The expanded evacuation area covers some of Los Angeles’ most important cultural institutions, including the Getty Center, an architectural landmark with a world-class art collection. The historic cultural centre has a fire-resistant design that may be put to the test.

Eaton Fire – 15% of 14,117 acres contained

Palisades Fire – 11% of 23,654 acres contained

Hurst Fire – 76% of 799 acres contained

Kenneth Fire – 90% of 1,052 acres contained

Lidia Fire – 100% of 395 acres contained

California fire live updates: A fierce battle against the flames was underway in Mandeville Canyon, home to Arnold Schwarzenegger and other celebrities not far from the Pacific coast, where swooping helicopters dumped water as the blaze charged downhill. Firefighters on the ground used hoses in an attempt to beat back leaping flames as thick smoke blanketed the chaparral-covered hillside. (AP)

California fire live updates: The Palisades Fire continued to grow on Saturday, pushing eastwards.

“We’re a nervous wreck,” Sarah Cohen, a resident, told the Los Angeles Times of the threat to her Tarzana home.

“Every time they drop water, it gets better. But then it gets worse again.”

Footage from the Mandeville Canyon area showed one home consumed, with a wall of flame licking up a hillside to menace others.

The number of people confirmed dead in fires that raced through Los Angeles rose to 16 on Saturday, authorities said.

The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner published a list of fatalities without giving details of any identities. Five of the dead were found in the Palisades Fire zone, and 11 in the Eaton Fire zone, the document said. (AFP)

California fire live updates: California Fire Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler said on Saturday that states, including Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Texas, and Montana, have contributed resources to fight the California wildfires.

California fire live updates: New evacuation orders were issued in the ultra-affluent Southern California neighbourhoods of Brentwood and Bel Air as the threat of more dry winds raised risks after a brief respite.

The expanded evacuation area covers some of Los Angeles’ most important cultural institutions, including the Getty Center, an architectural landmark with a world-class art collection.

The University of California’s Los Angeles campus is on “high alert” and has been advised to prepare for evacuation.

New areas of Bel Air east of the 405 freeway are now also on evacuation warning.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said the flames brought “another night of unimaginable terror and heartbreak.”

California fire live updates: According to the US Storm Prediction Center, dry winds will raise the risk of critical fire weather conditions across Southern California late Saturday and likely persist through the first half of the coming week, leaving millions in peril.

Six simultaneous blazes across Los Angeles County have killed at least 13 people so far, and as many are reported missing.

The death toll is expected to rise when firefighters can get through ravaged structures and look for victims.

“California is deploying resources from across the state, the nation, and neighbouring countries to battle the Los Angeles fires,” said Governor Newsom in a post on X.

“14,000+ Personnel, 1,680 @TheCalGuard Members, 1,668 Fire Engines, Water Tenders, & Dozers, 71 Helicopters,” he added.

Los Angeles Department of Public Health on Saturday to stay indoors because of dangerous wildfire smoke wreathing the area. Monster blazes are pumping toxic clouds, a mix of small particles, gasses and water vapours into the air, blanketing a vast region with choking fumes.

“It’s those small particles that get into our noses and throats and cause those sore throats and headaches,” said Anish Mahajan from the department.

“Everyone in the areas where there’s visible smoke or the smell of smoke, and even where you don’t see that, we know that the air quality is poor, so you should limit outdoor exposure as much as possible.” (AP)