California fire highlights: NFL-League donates $5 million to support Los Angeles wildfire relief

The financial impact of the Los Angeles wildfire is unclear yet. AccuWeather, a private firm providing weather data, estimated the toll to be about $135 billion to $150 billion. Government officials haven't given a damage estimate yet.

More than 5,300 structures have been damaged or destroyed in the hilly coastal neighbourhood of Pacific Palisades, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.

Officials have traced the origin of the wind-driven blaze in Pacific Palisades to an area behind a house on Piedra Morada Drive, which overlooks a densely wooded arroyo. The hilly neighbourhood is home to Hollywood stars like Jamie Lee Curtis and Billy Crystal, who lost their houses in the fire.

Lightning is the most common cause of fires in the U.S., according to the National Fire Protection Association, but investigators quickly dismissed it as a factor. Read more

California fire live updates: Los Angeles sports organizations are uniting to launch an “LA Strong” custom logo and apparel line to raise money for organizations assisting those impacted by this week's devastating wildfires.

Fanatics announced Friday that T-shirts featuring the new logo will be available to purchase on team and league online stores and the Fanatics website. The collaboration spans eight leagues, the University of Southern California, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic organizing committee. (AFP)

California fire live updates: Allegations of leadership failures and political blame have surfaced as state investigators prepare to investigate the cause of one of the most enormous blazes.

On Friday, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered state officials to determine why a 117 million-gallon (440 million-litre) reservoir was out of service and why some hydrants ran dry, calling it “deeply troubling.”

Meanwhile, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said city leadership failed her department by not providing enough money for firefighting. She also criticized the lack of water.

California fire live updates: The Hurst fire in northern Los Angeles has been 70 per cent contained reported CNN.

Five fires are currently active in the Los Angeles county and its surrounding regions: Eaton (3 per cent contained), Palisades (8 per cent contained), Kenneth (35 per cent contained) and Lidia (75 per cent contained).

California fire live updates: The IRS announced that "individuals and households residing in or owning a business in Los Angeles County" will receive tax relief on various filing and payment deadlines that would typically fall between January 7 and October 15, reported CNN.

These taxpayers now have until October 15 to file and pay any taxes due during that period, including their 2024 taxes.

California fire live updates: In a post on X, California governor Gavin Newsom called for a probe into reports stating there was a lack of water availability as well as loss of water pressure in fire hydrants amid massive fires raging in Los Angeles county.

“The ongoing reports of the loss of water pressure to some local fire hydrants during the fires and the reported unavailability of water supplies from the Santa Ynez Reservoir are deeply troubling to me and to the community,” he said.

California fire live updates: In a post on X, California governor Gavin Newsom thanked Mexico for providing firefighters to aid in putting out the Eaton fire in Los Angeles.

“California is deeply grateful for President @ClaudiaShein’s support as we work to suppress the Los Angeles wildfires,” he wrote on Friday. “Our partnership and shared commitment to helping communities in need is greatly valued.”

California fire live updates: Los Angeles fire chief Anthony Marrone stated that the current red flag warning will end at 6 p.m. pacific time on Friday, but a new warning is expected to be issued on Monday, as windy conditions are forecast to return to the Los Angeles area.

California fire live updates: Emergency managers apologised on Friday after false evacuation alerts on Thursday and Friday caused panic among citizens amid raging fires in the Los Angeles county.

"This is an emergency message from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. An EVACUATION WARNING has been issued in your area," said the message.

California fire live updates: California governor Gavin Newsom warned citizens about the spread of misinformation causing damage during the Los Angeles fire.

“There were hurricane force winds of mis and disinformation, lies. People want to divide this country and we’re going to have to address that as well,” Newsom said.

California fire live updates: An illegal drone caused a "fist-sized" hole in the wing of a firefighting aircraft on Friday, causing it to be grounded until Monday, LA county fire chief Anthony Marrone told AFP.

Marrone added that flying a drone in a wildfire area was illegal and dangerous, creating huge problems for the helicopters and planes trying to put out the fires.

“The most important thing to know is that if you fly a drone at one of these brush fires, all aerial operations will be shut down,” he said.

The LA district attorney has warned those flying drones that they will be prosecuted and punished “to the full extent of the law.”

California fire live updates: A small brush fire broke out in the Granada Hills neighbourhood of Los Angeles on Friday.

The Archer Fire burned close to three acres and is growing at a moderate speed, fire department officials told The Los Angeles Times.

California fire live updates: US President Joe Biden on Friday compared the Los Angeles fires to a “battle scene” as the county suffers from multiple ongoing blazes that have caused 10 deaths and displaced thousands of people.

"It reminded me of more of a war scene, where you had certain targets that were bombarded. It's almost like a battle scene," Biden said.

California fire live updates: The US National Football League (NFL) has pledged a $5 million donation to multiple organizations working towards supporting the communities impacted by the Los Angeles fires.

The funds are “individual contributions from clubs and ownership groups from the Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans and NFL Foundation.”

California fire live updates: Los Angeles district attorney Nathan Hochman on Friday warned people looting, breaking curfew and flying drones in wildfire zones that they would be prosecuted “to the full extent of the law.”

“Looting is a despicable crime,” he said as quoted by AP. “For the people who have already been arrested, please know this is not going to end well.”

California fire live updates: At least 10,000 properties have been damaged by the fires raging in the LA county region, with possibly more to come in the next few days, said LA county assessor Jeff Prang as quoted by CNN.

“Financial issues will soon become a major issue for the victims of the fires,” Prang said.

California fire live updates: As several fires rage on in the Los Angeles county and its surrounding regions, one of the largest fires in Eaton has been contained up to 3 per cent amid strong gusts of wind.

The Palisades fire has been 8 per cent contained, while the Kenneth fire has been contained up to 35 per cent. The Hurst and Lidia fires have been contained up to 37 and 75 per cent respectively, reported AP.

California fire: The Palisades fire, stretched across an area larger than Manhattan and where the median home price approaches $4 million, has damaged or destroyed more than 5,000 structures, Bloomberg reported.

California fire: Steve Guttenberg awoke Thursday morning to a grim reality: The treacherous wildfire that tore through the Pacific Palisades had left his once-lush neighbourhood charred and unrecognisable.

California fire: Firefighters hoped for a break Friday from fierce winds that have fueled massive blazes in the Los Angeles area, killing 10 people, obliterating whole neighbourhoods and setting the nation's second-largest city on edge.

California Wildfire Live: National Guard troops were patrolling the streets of Altadena before dawn on Friday after being called in to help protect property in the fire evacuation zone, reported AP.

Troops in camouflage were posted at intersections in the city hard-hit by the Eaton Fire near Jeeps, Humvees and other military vehicles.

$3.8 million home belonging to Powerball winner Edwin Castro was concrete pillars and smouldering wood, the New York Post reported.

The destroyed Malibu abode was one of several Castro purchased after he won the historic $2.04 billion prize back in November 2022.

California Wildfire Live: Firefighters reported some progress fighting the wildfires that have charred hillsides, homes and streets in Los Angeles County, but the strong winds that fanned the flames were expected to pick up again on Friday, worsening conditions.

California Wildfire Live: Private forecaster AccuWeather estimated the damage and economic loss at $135 billion to $150 billion, portending an arduous recovery and soaring homeowners' insurance costs.