California fires live updates: 5 dead in LA fires as new Calabasas blaze spreads

The fire which ignited Thursday afternoon is spreading in the West Hills area.

Western Wildfires

Western Wildfire

At least five people are believed to be dead — with the LA County sheriff saying he expects that number to rise — as a series of devastating fires grow uncontained across Southern California amid dry and windy conditions, leaving officials scrambling to contain the historic destruction.

Thousands of firefighters are battling at least five sprawling wildfires spread around the Los Angeles area. The largest, the Palisades Fire, in Pacific Palisades, has scorched over 19,000 acres, destroyed thousands of structures and remains zero percent contained. The Eaton Fire, in Altadena, now stands at more than 13,000 acres and zero percent contained. More than 180,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as the infernos spread.

President Joe Biden on Wednesday approved a federal major disaster declaration for Los Angeles Count

Here’s how the news is developing.1 New Updates

Death toll remains at 5

At least five people have died in the Los Angeles fires, the LA County Sheriff’s Office clarified Thursday night.

There have been at least three victims in the Eaton Fire and two in the Palisades Fire, according to police.

During a press briefing Thursday afternoon officials had incorrectly said there were five victims in the Eaton Fire and announced two victims from the Palisades Fire.