Southern California Wildfires: Arrests, Evacuations, and Federal Support Amid Crisis

Numerous arrests have been made as individuals attempted to exploit the chaos caused by the ongoing wildfires in Southern California.

The Los Angeles Police Department informed Deadline that two individuals were apprehended at the Vice President’s Brentwood residence early Saturday morning at 4:40 a.m. While initially arrested for “violating curfew,” authorities could not establish their involvement in burglary.

To deter looting and maintain order, curfews were imposed in evacuation zones, effective from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. since late last week.

A “life-threatening and destructive” windstorm on Tuesday exacerbated fires in areas such as Pacific Palisades, Eaton Canyon, Malibu, the Hollywood Hills, and other parts of Los Angeles County.

The fires have resulted in tragic losses, with at least 16 fatalities reported as of Sunday. Additionally, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has received 16 missing persons reports linked to the wildfires. Over 105,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders, while another 87,000 remain on evacuation alerts.

In response to the crisis, President Joe Biden declared the wildfires a major disaster and committed federal funding to cover all disaster relief expenses. On X, he shared, “Over 100,000 people have been ordered to evacuate communities impacted by the Southern California wildfires. At least two people have been killed. And many more are injured — including firefighters. It’s devastating. To the residents of Southern California: We are with you.”

Biden extended his Los Angeles visit to meet with first responders and affected residents.

Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris canceled an international trip to remain in Washington, D.C., coordinating federal efforts to combat the disaster in her home state. Following her attendance at Jimmy Carter’s funeral on Thursday with her husband, Doug Emhoff, the vice president has not announced plans to visit California before Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration on January 20.