Globe Aware volunteers, if your Los Angeles trip plans are disrupted by fires, here’s what to do, plus how you can help and where to donate resources.

The Latest on the LA Fires: Flight Delays, Hotels With Discounted Stays, and More Travel Updates

The fires have led to widespread evacuations and damage. Here’s what to know.

By Hannah Towey and Megan Spurrell
January 10, 2025
Condé Nast Traveler 

A total of six wildfires in Los Angeles County continued to burn on Friday, January 10, 2025. The fires have prompted evacuation orders for hundreds of thousands of residents, with 153,000 people currently under mandatory evacuation orders, and over 160,000 warned they should be prepared to evacuate, Sheriff Robert Luna said Thursday. At least 10,000 structures have been destroyed city-wide. So far, ten people have been reported dead, and there are “a number of significant injuries,” LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said at a Wednesday press conference. As of Friday, curfews are in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in several areas, in an effort to prevent looting.

Powerful Santa Ana winds have fanned the flames, collectively scorching 35,000 acres. While Thursday brought a lull in winds, which have reached 100 mph at points, they are expected to pick up again on Sunday, a meteorologist with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said Thursday. The situation is constantly changing though.

“The fires remain active, and the safety of residents, visitors, and first responders in the affected areas is our highest priority,” the Los Angeles Tourism Board said in a statement shared with Condé Nast Traveler. “We urge everyone to stay informed through the Los Angeles Fire Department for the latest evacuation updates and to follow all warnings and evacuation orders from first responders.”

If you have a trip planned to Los Angeles, here’s what to know about the LA fires—including the neighborhoods affected, and the impact on flights—plus what to do if you’re already on the ground and need to adjust your trip. (If you were displaced from your home by the fires, here’s how to receive free or discounted Airbnb and hotel stays.)

Where are the LA fires?

As of Friday evening, there are six active fires in Los Angeles County. Since the Palisades and Eaton fires first began on January 7, new fires—like the Kenneth fire, which broke out on Thursday and is now partially contained, and the Archer fire, which broke out Friday—have emerged. The Sunset fire—which started near Hollywood Hills on Wednesday—has been 100% extinguished.

The Pacific Palisades

The largest, the Palisades fire, first broke out around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, January 7. It currently spans 20,438 acres in the Pacific Palisades region (located west of Los Angeles between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean) and is 8% contained as of 11:00 a.m. on Friday, an improvement from 0% on Thursday. Santa Monica has issued an evacuation order for residents living for all areas north of Montana Avenue from the beach to 11th Street and an evacuation warning for all additional areas north of Montana Avenue, as well as all areas north of Wilshire Boulevard and west of 10th Street. To date, this fire has flattened a number of residential communities, including waterfront homes on Malibu’s iconic Pacific Coast Highway.

Pasadena/Altadena

The Eaton fire, which is currently the second largest fire at 13,690 acres, broke out later Tuesday evening around 6:18 p.m in Eaton Canyon, an area north of Pasadena near Altadena. It grew rapidly and is at 3% containment as of Friday. A total of 4,000 structures have been destroyed; flames threatened the historic observatory atop Mount Wilson (also a popular hiking destination) on Thursday, though officials have since reported that firefighters were successful in protecting the structure and its famous Hooker telescope.

Other areas

The Kenneth brush fire, which spans Los Angeles and Ventura county, is 35% contained as of Friday morning, and covers 1,000 acres. Evacuation orders due to the Kenneth Fire were lifted by 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 9, though only residents with identification are allowed to pass through the area. An arson suspect was arrested by citizens and is now in police custody, according to local news outlets including KTLA.

On Tuesday around 10:30 p.m., the Hurst fire began in San Fernando Valley. It currently spans 771 acres and is 37% contained as of Friday morning.

The Lidia fire, covering 395 acres in inland Acton, was reported Wednesday at 1:08 p.m., and is 75% contained as of Thursday morning.

The Sunset fire, which began at around 6 p.m. on Wednesday night near Runyon Canyon Park north of West Hollywood and grew to 46 acres, has been extinguished and evacuation orders have been lifted.

The Archer fire, the smallest of the six at 19 acres, began Friday at 11:24 a.m. near San Fernando and was 0% contained at the time of publication.

For the most up-to-date updates on evacuation zones and orders, download the Watch Duty app, which alerts users of nearby wildfires and firefighting efforts in real-time.

Image may contain Adult Person Photography Clothing Hat Footwear Shoe Glove Boat Transportation and Vehicle

Firefighters battle fire as beachfront homes go up in flames along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu in the Palisades Fire on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News/Getty

How are flights being affected?

A total of 47 flights departing from or arriving to Burbank Airport (BUR) were canceled or delayed on Thursday, January 9, according to the flight tracking service Flight Aware. “Weather conditions are impacting various flight operations today,” the airport posted Wednesday morning on X. “Check with your airline on the status of your flight before heading to BUR.”

A total of 257 flights departing from or arriving to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) were delayed on Thursday, per Flight Aware, with 53 cancellations. “While there are some small delays, LAX, SNA, and LGB appear to be operating normally,” Cirium, an aviation analytics company, told Traveler on Thursday. “There are relatively few cancellations, with the exception of American Airlines at LAX and SNA, which have a higher than usual rate of cancellation.”

The below US airlines are offering customers flight waivers for select LA airports. For the most up-to-date information on refund and rebooking options, be sure to check with your airline. (Pro tip: if your ticket was purchased with a credit card, you may have included travel insurance.)

• Delta Air Lines
• American Airlines
• Southwest Airlines
• JetBlue Airlines
• United Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• Frontier Airlines

Where to redirect your trip

If you had a trip planned to Los Angeles this week and need to pivot at the last minute to nearby destinations, cities to the south—including Huntington Beach and San Diego—are driving distance from LA and remain unaffected by the fires. There’s also the option to go east, toward destinations like Joshua Tree and Palm Springs. Relocating to cities to the north of LA, like Santa Barbara which is unaffected, may require circumventing LA’s Westside, where the fires are located.

Lakehouse Resort in San Diego and Paséa Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach are both offering discounted room rates, waived resort fees, and waived pet fees for for LA wildfire evacuees. Visit Santa Barbara has also compiled a list of discounted lodging rates for those affected by the fires.

If you decide to stay in Los Angeles, or don’t have another option, many areas in the heart of the city are safe—though air quality is poor (more on that below) and over 330,000 people are without power across Southern California. Many hotels in Los Angeles that were unaffected by the fires are offering discounted rates and to displaced residents and fire victims, the Los Angeles Hotel Association said in a statement. California law prohibits hotels from raising rates by more than 10% for 30 days after a state of emergency declaration. The Los Angeles Times reported a full list of hotels in LA with rooms available as of 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Air quality

The US Air Quality Index reports that central Los Angeles air quality is “unhealthy”. In areas with unhealthy AQI levels, it’s recommended that people with heart disease, pregnant women, children and older adults, and people with lung disease (such as asthma) should avoid spending prolonged time outdoors. Everyone else is advised against strenuous activities outdoors. To view current air quality in your neighborhood, download the South Coast AQMDapp or visit www.aqmd.gov/AQImap.

How to help

Volunteer

Volunteer organization LA Works has requested that residents looking to help do not self-deploy to impacted areas as emergency responders need the roads to remain clear. You can sign up here to receive alerts as volunteer needs arise.

First responder support

The Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation supports local LAFD firefighters. Donate here to help fund wildfire equipment and supplies including emergency fire shelters, hydration backpacks, and wildland brush tools.

Shelters

Local non-profit 211 LA is working with Airbnb to provide shelter to residents displaced by the fires. You can offer your home or spare room to host free temporary housing through Airbnb by submitting an online form here.

Animal rescues

The Canine Rescue Club is looking for volunteers to temporarily foster dogs displaced by the fires.

Pasadena Humane animal control is assisting with animal evacuations, and has staff stationed at shelters for displaced families and their pets. You can make a monetary donation here or donate items—including food and water bowls, extra large crates, and blankets—at the donation bin located in the front parking lot at 361 S. Raymond Ave, Pasadena 91105.

Clothing and other critical items

The nonprofit KAUSE has asked for donations of diapers, wipes, blankets, and socks for babies and children who are in shelters. You can drop off donations at 4902 W Slauson Ave, LA CA 90056 on Thursday between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. or Friday between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Non-profit Baby2baby is providing critical items including diapers, food, formula, and hygiene products for children and families affected by the LA fires. You can donate to their Disaster Relief and Emergency Response Program here.

Food

The LA Food Bank is currently working with government agencies and nonprofits to respond to the fires throughout Los Angeles County. They are accepting food donations from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1734 East 41st Street, Los Angeles, California 90058.

World Central Kitchen’s Southern California relief team is providing food and water to evacuees and first responders in need. Sign up to volunteer or donate to the Pasadena Convention Center hub here.

Other

The California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund supports mid-term to long-term recovery efforts for those affected by California wildfires. You can donate here.