California Today: Who Are the Victims of the Los Angeles Fires?

Today's top stories from California.

January 10, 2025, 9:31 a.m. Eastern time By Shawn Hubler There was a period of my life when I went to Will Rogers State Historic Park all the time. My husband and I would drive to Pacific Palisades and park near the polo field, where they held real polo matches. We would hike past creeks and live oaks, and smell the eucalyptus. Sometimes we would peek into the preserved ranch house where Will Rogers, "the cowboy philosopher," once lived. That house is gone now, burned to the ground. Later we settled far to the east, in the San Gabriel Valley. It was a time when everyone was scraping and saving for starter homes. Children in tow, we would while away weekends at open houses, lookie-looing at bungalows and ranch homes. One memorable house had a backyard with an ivy nook that felt like a secret garden, and I still sometimes think of its cool greenness. It was in Altadena, near Eaton Canyon. I suspect it is ashes now. When wildfires strike, people often talk about lost possessions. The heirloom in the rubble. The family album, up in smoke. But fires like the ones this week also take landscapes that, when they go, can take a piece of you with them. As flames spanned Southern California, I thought of lost backdrops. The destroyed cafes where people wrote screenplays. The burned bleachers where teenagers shared first kisses. The park where my husband and I once held hands and smelled the eucalyptus, and, in a place that is now just a memory, were young. Today's Top Story Philip Cheung for The New York Times Who Are the Victims of the Los Angeles Fires? At least 10 people died in fires raging across Los Angeles. Several of them lived near each other in the ravaged Altadena neighborhood. Read more More California News 'Completely Dry': How Los Angeles Firefighters Ran Out of Water As wildfires roar into residential neighborhoods, firefighters in California and elsewhere are finding that water systems can't keep up with the demand. Facing Criticism About Fire Response, Mayor of Los Angeles Goes on Defense Amid pointed questions at a news conference, Karen Bass sought to deflect criticism of the city's response to the fires. California Winds Ease Slightly but Are Expected to Pick Up Again The Santa Ana windstorm calmed down a bit on Thursday morning, but forecasters warned that critical fire weather conditions would continue. Mapping the Damage From the Palisades Fire Satellite analysis of Pacific Palisades offers a glimpse of the damaged or destroyed buildings in the area. Altadena Residents Return to a Scene of Devastation As the Eaton fire retreated into the foothills, people who had fled their homes came back for a look. For many, the news was as bad as it could be. Pink Fire Retardant, a Dramatic Wildfire Weapon, Poses Its Own Dangers It's widely used because it can slow flames in ways that water can't. But it also contains heavy metals and other harmful compounds. As Flames Consume Architectural Gems, a Hit to 'Old California' The historic ranch house of Will Rogers and an important residence by Ray Kappe were destroyed by the fires, which threaten L.A.'s spectacular design legacy. Wildfires Can Leave Lasting Psychological Scars Survivors of wildfires like those burning across Los Angeles can experience mental health issues long after a blaze is out. Local Conditions Look up the heat index in your area using The Times's heat tracker. See active fires using The Times's wildfire tracker. Today's Recipe Romulo Yanes for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Vivian Lui. One-Pot French Onion Soup With Porcini Mushrooms By Susan Spungen 2 hours Makes 6 servings Play a Game The Mini Crossword Solve this bite-sized puzzle in just a few minutes. Spelling Bee How many words can you make with 7 letters? Wordle Guess the 5-letter word with 6 chances. See all our games Sign up for Your Places: Extreme Weather. Get notified about extreme weather before it happens with custom alerts for places in the U.S. you choose. Get it in your inbox Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for California Today from The New York Times. To stop receiving California Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018