FBI warns of fraudulent charitable donations
Federal officials are warning the public about fraudulent charitable donations that claim to assist victims and their families.
The FBI issued a public service announcement to warn of scammers that "exploit mass casualty events and disasters, such as the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans and the ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles, to commit fraud."
"Scammers may pose as disaster relief agencies to collect personal information, conduct charitable fraud schemes, or commit fraud against disaster assistance programs," it said. "Scammers may also impersonate official entities, celebrities, influencers, or other individuals."
Last year, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received more than 4,500 complaints reporting about $96 million in losses to fraudulent charities, crowdfunding accounts and disaster relief campaigns.
People are encouraged to do their own research before they donate and not to send payments or personal information to unknown people.
Bruce Willis shakes hands with first responders
Actor Bruce Willis personally thanked some Los Angeles police officers for their fire response in a new video his wife, Emma Heming Willis, posted to Instagram today.
In the video, posted in black and white and to the tune of Led Zeppelin's "Going to California," Willis shakes hands with an officer and thanks him. They later pose for a picture together.
"Spotting a first responder, Bruce never missed a chance to show his gratitude with a heartfelt handshake and a 'thank you for your service,'" his wife said in the caption. "Yesterday was no different."
State Farm will no longer advertise during the Super Bowl
State Farm will not advertise during this year's Super Bowl "as originally planned," a State Farm spokesperson confirmed.
"State Farm, State Farm agents, and our employees are all focused on helping customers impacted by the Southern California wildfires in the midst of this tragedy," the company said in a statement. "Our focus is firmly on providing support to the people of Los Angeles."
State Farm has faced criticism over the last week for its decision in March 2024 not to renew homeowners coverage for more than 70,000 California residents, NBC Bay Area reported.
"Our No. 1 priority right now is the safety of our customers, agents and employees impacted by the fires and assisting our customers in the midst of this tragedy," the company said when it was pressed about its response to the wildfires.
As of yesterday, the company reported having received over 7,400 home and auto claims. It said it expects the number to rise as people return to their homes and assess damage.
During last year's Super Bowl, State Farm aired a 60-second commercial starring Arnold Schwarzenegger as a State Farm agent, which featured a house on fire. It had not yet announced any details about its planned advertisement for this year's Super Bowl.
Deadline for individual assistance from FEMA is March 10, L.A. County supervisor says
People who need individual assistance from FEMA have until March 10 to submit their application, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors member Lindsey Horvath said.
“You have until March 10 to apply for individual FEMA assistance and 18 months to complete the paperwork,” Horvath said at a news conference. "Please apply ASAP so you are in their system."
Firefighters striking in 'windows' of favorable weather conditions to contain fires
The Santa Ana winds that have been fanning the wildfires have subsided, providing a window of opportunity before they return next week.
"Firefighters are used to operating in windows to try and knock out as much as they possibly can. They’re going to try to do that before, obviously, early next week," said NBC News' Steve Patterson, who is reporting from Altadena.
The Palisades Fire is 22% contained, which is up 2% from yesterday. The Eaton Fire is 45% contained, up from 35% yesterday, Patterson said.
'Favorable weather conditions' helped increase containment of Palisades Fire
The Palisades Fire, which has burned more than 23,700 acres, is 22% contained, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said at a morning news conference.
She said that “favorable weather conditions assisted firefighters in increasing the containment and extinguishment.”
Crowley said crews are “working as quickly as possible” so residents can begin to return to their communities.
“This will take time, so when we ask you to remain patient, know that we are working around the clock to get you back to your homes and to the community,” she said.
Number of people killed in Eaton and Palisades fires increased by 2, sheriff says
The number of people who have died in both of the major wildfires has increased by two — one person in the Eaton Fire and one in the Palisades Fire, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a morning news conference.
There are 31 active missing person cases, he said. Twenty-four of them are in the Eaton area and seven in the Palisades area. The sheriff said there was a total of 43 missing person cases, but 12 were found safe.
“Please be patient with us. We know that people want to get back into their neighborhood, but we’re talking about people who have passed,” he said.
To date, at least 27 deaths have been reported as a result of the wildfires.
Hurst Fire is fully contained, Angeles National Forest says
The Hurst Fire, which ignited Jan. 7 in Sylmar, north of San Fernando, is 100% contained, the Angeles National Forest said in a post on X.
"Incident Commander Fuller declared the Hurst Fire 100% contained this morning," the post read. "Crews are working to complete suppression repair efforts and anticipate that work will be completed on Monday."
Gov. Newsom issues executive order that will fast-track temporary housing
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order today that will fast-track temporary housing for people displaced by the wildfires.
“As thousands of Los Angeles residents have been faced with sudden displacement, the state is taking decisive action to help provide housing and assistance as quickly as possible,” Newsom said in a news release. “Today, we are expediting the creation of new temporary housing by removing roadblocks and strengthening protections against exploitation.”
The order directs state departments to support local governments as they come up with temporary housing plans, will make it easier to place mobile trailers and other temporary housing on properties while residents rebuild, and will “streamline construction and occupancy of accessory dwelling units on properties destroyed by the fires.”
Price gouging prohibitions on hotel, motel and rental housing in Los Angeles County will also be extended to March 8, the release states.
Containment of Eaton and Palisades fires increases, Cal Fire says
Containment of both the Eaton and the Palisades fires has increased, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said in a morning update.
The Eaton Fire is now 55% contained and the Palisades Fire is 22% contained. Other fires still burning include Hurst, which is 98% contained, and Auto, which is 85% contained, according to Cal Fire.