LA fires as it happened: Multiple uncontained blazes continue to burn across city; death toll expected to rise

Thank you for following our live coverage of the Los Angeles fires. This is where we will end today’s live coverage.

To conclude, here’s a look back at what we’ve covered:

• New areas of Los Angeles and surrounds were being evacuated as fire crews battled to contain the most destructive blaze in the city’s history, which was spreading quickly despite a lull in the winds.
• There were six fires raging in Los Angeles today: the Palisades Fire (8 per cent contained), the Eaton Fire (3 per cent contained), the Kenneth Fire (50 per cent contained), the Hurst Fire (70 per cent contained), the Lidia Fire (98 per cent contained) and the Archer Fire (stopped at 19 acres).
• At least 11 people have so far died in the fires, and authorities fear the death toll will rise in the coming days as areas become safe to search.
• California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered a state investigation of the Los Angeles agencies running the city’s water systems after fire hydrants ran dry, which hampered efforts to protect homes from the deadly wildfires.
• Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, comforted residents affected by the fires.
• In a series of extraordinary interviews, Los Angeles Fire Department chief Kristin Crowley unloaded on the failure of the city’s government to deliver the resources needed to fight fires effectively.
• President Joe Biden delivered a White House briefing on the fires, saying his administration was working on the “worst fires in California’s history” and keeping Donald Trump’s team in the loop.
• The fires’ lasting impact on wildlife is expected to be devastating as the blazes continue to threaten nature reserves and neighbourhoods, and animal shelters fill up.

Thank you again for joining us. We will have continued extensive coverage of the Los Angeles fires in the coming hours and days.

This is Cassandra Morgan, signing off.

Authorities are warning it is still unsafe to thoroughly search many areas hit by the Los Angeles fires, so it is likely the death toll — which currently stands at 11 people — will rise in the coming days.

“We don’t know the half of it,” LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said.

Among the victims identified so far are Anthony Mitchell, a 67-year-old amputee, and his son Justin, who had cerebral palsy. They were reportedly waiting for an ambulance to reach them.

“He was not going to leave his son behind. No matter what,” a family member said.

You can read a full end-of-day report from Michael Koziol and Caitlin Fitzsimmons here.

There are six fires burning around Los Angeles. The level of containment for the two biggest fires – the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire – has not changed since early this morning.

Here is where we currently stand, according to local authorities:

• Palisades: 8 per cent
• Eaton: 3 per cent
• Kenneth: 50 per cent
• Hurst: 70 per cent
• Lidia: 98 per cent
• Archer: Stopped at 19 acres

In total, about 36,000 acres have been burned, and at least 12,300 structures have been destroyed.

Police are controlling traffic along key roads in fire-threatened areas of Los Angeles as residents flee following new mandatory evacuation orders and warnings.

CBS News had a live feed showing cars moving north in an orderly procession along Hayvenhurst Avenue in Encino, toward Ventura Boulevard and away from the mountains.

The evacuation orders were issued about 7pm on Friday, US time, as fire crews battled to contain the northern flank of the Palisades fire.

The northern flank is the opposite side of the hills to the Pacific Palisades area ravaged earlier in the week.

Evacuation orders are now in place around the eastern perimeter of the hills, from Encino in the north to Crestwood Hills and Brentwood in the south.

Evacuation warnings are in place further east, across the 405 Freeway, including in parts of Bel Air.