California fires live updates: Palisades Fire one of most destructive in LA history

At least 373,472 customers were without power across California on Wednesday night as emergency services battled major wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

Los Angeles County is the worst affected, with 207,857 customers disconnected as of 11:15 p.m. PT, according to poweroutage.us.

Another 65,186 customers were without power in Ventura County, 45,664 in Riverside County and 32,826 in San Bernardino County.

Orange County had 7,358 customers without power as of Wednesday night, while 10,805 were disconnected in San Diego County.

-ABC News’ Juwon Funes

Five major wildfires are currently burning in the Los Angeles area, according to Cal Fire.

The Palisades Fire began in the Pacific Palisades area of the city on Tuesday. It has so far burned 17,234 acres and is at 0% containment. More than 1,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed.

The Eaton Fire, north of Pasedna, began on Tuesday. It expanded to 10,600 acres and is at 0% containment. Five people have died in the fire and up to 500 structures have been damaged or destroyed.

The Hurst Fire in Sylmar, northwest of San Fernando, began on Tuesday and has burned 855 acres. It is at 10% containment.

The Lidia Fire erupted on Wednesday on the northwest edge of the Angeles National Forest. It has grown to 348 acres and is at 40% containment.

The Sunset Fire broke out above West Hollywood on Wednesday. It is at 43 acres and 0% containment.

The newest wildfire to break out in Los Angeles — the Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills — has grown to some 50 acres, but officials said firefighters are making progress getting a handle on the flames.

LAFD spokeswoman Margaret Stewart told KABC that firefighters are in a “much better place” than earlier in the evening because firefighters have been able to do multiple water drops from the air over the flames.

An update from the LA County Sheriff’s Department shortly before 8:30 p.m. local time said the most intense fire activity was occurring on the southwestern side of the fire.

“On the eastern side, there are active flames within the interior of the fire, but the perimeter is holding well thanks to a fire road and ground crews in place,” the department said.

The blaze in famed Runyon Canyon sparked a mandatory evacuation that affected some iconic Hollywood locations, including the Dolby Theatre, where the Oscars are held, and the Hollywood Bowl.

President Joe Biden has canceled his trip to Italy amid the Los Angeles fires, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said in a statement Wednesday. Jean-Pierre added that Biden will instead “remain focused on directing the full federal response in the days ahead.”

The decision comes after Biden returned from the Los Angeles area Wednesday, where he was briefed by local law enforcement. Biden was scheduled to leave for Rome on Thursday and was planning to meet with the Pope and Italian leaders including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

–ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart

“It’s like a third-world country out there,” said Kathryn Barger, chair of the LA County Board of Supervisors, characterizing the fires at a press conference alongside LA Mayor Karen Bass just after 5 p.m. PT.

Barger described the Eaton Fire — which was then 10,600 acres with 0% containment — as unlike anything she had ever seen before.

“We are prone to wildfires, but nothing like what I witnessed today,” she said.

The local sheriff’s station was evacuated, she added, before telling those impacted: “You are not alone” and instructing the public to lean on one another, to reach out and “love thy neighbor.”

At the same press conference, Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said that the Eaton Fire was being closely monitored.

“If it does come into the city, we are ready,” she said.

Firefighters and first responders remain focused on protecting life and property, she assured, explaining that the wind-driven fires were expected to continue growing into the night.

Her statement came minutes before the Sunset Fire erupted in the Hollywood Hills, adding 10 acres to the total of nearly 27,000 burning in Southern California.

Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone appeared at a press conference alongside Mayor Karen Bass and described the origins of the Eaton Fire as “unknown.”

He said that it remained under investigation, expressing confidence that those responsible would be caught in the event that foul play was involved.

Over 750 personnel were fighting on the front lines of the Eaton Fire, he said, citing the five deaths, many injuries and over 1,000 structures damaged or destroyed.

As the fires raged on, he said that LA was requesting additional support from both Northern California and the surrounding states, with over 100 units on their way to assist.

Sheriff Robert Luna also spoke at the briefing and emphasized the cooperation taking place throughout and beyond the state to ensure the public’s safety. Naming Pasadena and Santa Monica in particular, he said that law enforcement throughout the region was working together and supporting each other’s work.

Woodley Fire, one of five that had been active throughout the afternoon and spread to over 30 acres, was under control, LA Mayor Karen Bass said at an early evening update on the multiple fires raging throughout the County of Los Angeles.

However, she cautioned, “We are very much still in an active firefight.”

The announcement came minutes ahead of a new fire’s eruption in the Hollywood Hills: the Sunset Fire.

Fortunately, winds had subsided enough that air support was able to resume, the mayor said, explaining that this effort would make a significant difference in the ongoing fight.

“We are fighting for you,” Bass said. She thanked everyone who heeded the call to evacuate and suggested that further orders were likely to come throughout the evening.

Regardless of the hardships and unknowns, she assured the public that she had been in touch with both President Joe Biden and California Gov. Gavin Newsom and said, “They assured me of full federal and state support.”

“Make no mistake,” she said, “Los Angeles will rebuild.”

The rapidly spreading Sunset Fire in the Hollywood Hills has sparked an evacuation for a heavily populated area of the city.

The immediate evacuation order includes an area bounded by Laurel Canyon Boulevard to the west, Mulholland Drive to the north, the 101 Freeway to the east and down to Hollywood Boulevard to the south, according to the LA Fire Department.

A map of the mandatory evacuation zone is posted on the LAFD website.

Margaret Stewart, LAFD public information officer, told KABC some 20 additional fire engines were en route, calling it a “very dynamic situation” and an “explosive fire” that has “blown up in Runyon Canyon.”

A new fire has broken out in the famed Runyon Canyon of Hollywood Hills. It is being referred to as the Sunset Fire.

The Los Angeles Fire Department was surveying the scene for the first time at approximately 5:45 p.m. local time. It then characterized the breakout as approximately 10 acres in size.

Observing the fire in real time, KABC’s Chris Cristi said, “This is the most ominous situation.”