New fires break out in Southern California as high wind threat advances: NPR
Firefighters monitor and control the spread of a car fire in Oxnard, California, northwest of Los Angeles on January 13, 2025.
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A new fire broke out in Southern California on Monday night, where a series of fires over the past week has killed more than 20 people and forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported that the car fire had burned 56 acres in Ventura County as of approximately 5 a.m. ET on Tuesday. A mandatory evacuation order has been issued due to the fire.
Late Monday night, the Ventura County Fire Department said the fire was spreading moderately and that about 75 firefighters were on the scene.
Ventura County is about 100 miles west of Los Angeles County, where authorities are still working to contain three major fires: Hurst, Palisade and Eaton.
The latest blaze comes as firefighters work to control other blazes that broke out in Los Angeles County a week ago. The two largest fires, the Palisade Fire and the Eaton Fire, remain largely uncontained. Cal Fire says the Hurst Fire north of Los Angeles is 97% contained.
The National Weather Service predicts winds of up to 70 mph in Los Angeles and Ventura counties as of Wednesday, which could spark new fires and intensify current blazes.
“Wind strength is expected to fluctuate over the next 48 hours, but conditions are expected to remain extremely hazardous, which will facilitate the rapid spread of fires should they occur,” the agency said.
Late Monday night, 21 people were confirmed dead: 16 in the Eaton Fire and five in the Palisades Fire, the Los Angeles Sheriff's Office said. As of Sunday evening, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner was investigating 24 deaths.
How to help and stay safe
Resources to help stay safe:
➡️ As fire danger remains high, authorities implore you to comply with evacuation orders
➡️ What to do and what not to do after returning home after a fire evacuation
➡️ Do you have cigarettes at home? Here's How to Make an Air Purifier from a Box Fan
➡️Trying to stay safe during a wildfire? There's an app that can help
Supported response and recovery methods:
➡️ Want to help fire victims? Here's what experts say is the most beneficial place and where to find volunteers
➡️ Wildfire Donation and Volunteering: How and Where to Help
➡️ Share: These are the steps fire victims need to take to file an insurance claim
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