Palisades Fire burns over 21,300 acres, 5 reported dead

In an aerial view, destroyed homes (bottom) are seen as the Palisades Fire continues to burn on January 09, 2025 in Malibu, California.
In an aerial view, destroyed homes (bottom) are seen as the Palisades Fire continues to burn on January 09, 2025 in Malibu, California. Photo credit Mario Tama/Getty Images

Firefighters are continuing to work to contain the flames in the Pacific Palisades that killed two people and destroyed thousands of structures.

As of Friday afternoon, the fire is at 21,317 acres and is 8% contained, according to CalFire.

KNX News’ Jon Baird reported seeing fire trucks heading up toward Malibu on Pacific Coast Highway as well as toward Pacific Palisades proper.

On Thursday, L.A. Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said two people were dead and more than 5,300 structures have been destroyed in the fire. On Friday, the L.A. County Medical Examiner updated the reported death toll to five.

The L.A. County Sheriff's Department found human remains in the ruins of a burned-out home along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu while investigating a missing persons report on Thursday. Another "fire-related" death occurred at a home in Pacific Palisades, according to L.A. Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell.

No details on the other three deaths have been released.

Also on Thursday, Gov. Newsom approved L.A. County's request to deploy members of the California National Guard.

The fire started on Tuesday morning southeast of Palisades Drive at 10:30 a.m. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Follow KNX News 97.1 FM

Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Featured Image Photo Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images