Southern California containment efforts continue today as winds ease

Map showing fires today

Cal Fire's map shows the wildfires burning in Southern California as of the department's latest update.

This map shows the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Auto and Little Mountain fires.

Map 3.jpg
Cal Fire

WATCH LIVE: Officials provide latest information on wildfire impacts

On Thursday morning, Los Angeles city and county officials provided an update on the impact of the wildfires at a press conference, scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. local time (11 a.m. ET).

Watch the live stream in the video player below:

CBS News Los Angeles live
Sarah Lynch Baldwin

Fire Containment - Latest Data

Crews were steadily working Thursday to contain three wildfires in Los Angeles County and one in Ventura. Another fire, called the Little Mountain Fire, broke out in San Bernardino on Wednesday and spread to more than 34 acres. Cal Fire said the small wildfire stopped spreading hours after it started, but as of Thursday morning it had not yet been contained.

The Palisades Fire west of Los Angeles has burned 23,714 acres and is 21% contained, according to Cal Fire. On the other side of the county, the Eaton Fire covers 14,117 acres and is almost half contained. Firefighters also have 98% of the Hurst Fire contained (799 acres). The fire has not grown in size for several days.

Cal Fire said a 61-acre car fire in Ventura County on Monday was 85% contained by firefighters.

Author: Emily Mae Chacho

Los Angeles Clippers owner donates $15 million to wildfire recovery

Los Angeles Clippers basketball team owner Steve Ballmer donated $15 million to wildfire recovery efforts and organizations currently supporting affected communities. The funds are specifically focused on providing aid to Altadena, where the deadly Eaton Fire occurred and caused significant damage.

"We love Los Angeles and are committed to supporting communities affected by the devastating wildfires," Steve and Connie Ballmer said in a statement released Wednesday through their philanthropic organization, The Ballmer Group. The Ballmer Group, in coordination with our local partners, will work to address the community’s immediate food and housing needs and support our first responders.”

The Ballmer Group shared a list of organizations and relief programs that will receive partial donations.

Author: Emily Mae Chacho

Some red flag warnings remain in effect until 3 p.m.

While most red flag warnings issued for parts of Southern California have expired, red flag warnings for the Santa Susana Mountains, western San Gabriel Mountains and the I-5 corridor remain in effect until 3 p.m. local time Thursday.

"Offshore winds will continue to weaken over much of Santa Ana, but winds will continue into the western San Gabriel Mountains, Santa Susana Mountains and I-5 corridor into Thursday afternoon with winds of 15 to 25 mph with gusts as high as 40 mph /hour,” the National Weather Service said.

"Conditions are beginning to improve throughout California and in areas devastated by ongoing wildfires," the weather service said.

"Although no rain is expected, the winds are expected to shift toward more onshore flow late Thursday and into Friday, bringing higher relative humidity and less chaotic wind currents, which will help compared to recent days. Mitigating wildfire threats,” it said.

Sarah Lynch Baldwin

As some evacuees begin to return home, safety concerns remain

due to some evacuees Eaton and fence As fires begin to return this week after their communities were devastated by wildfires, health officials warn there's still plenty of reason to worry.

Air quality and safety are the biggest concerns for returnees.

"Our house is standing," said Zoe Kahn, who had to flee her Pasadena home. However, smoke damage is severe. "

"We are having our house professionally cleaned and then hiring an industrial hygienist to assess the toxins still present in the home so we can ensure we can move back safely," she said.

The Kahns, like many families, worry about what they can't see and the dangerous chemicals that may remain.

“We don’t emphasize enough that you are breathing particles that you cannot see,” Jane Williams, executive director of California Communities Against Drugs, said during a Wednesday webinar with air quality and public health experts. “The air quality index does not Tell you they're there. But when you inhale them, even for a relatively short period of time, they linger in your lungs and have a huge impact on public health."

Read more here.