2025 Wildfire Season: Update on Wildfires in and around Los Angeles County (Jan 15th)

I start with embedding a January 14th video from NBC News where reporter Ellison Barber rode along on a Cal Fire helicopter to get an aerial view of some of the wildfires currently burning in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties and a discussion with Operations Section Chief Christian Litz.

Direct link to video from NBC News on YouTube

In my wonderings in preparation for this post, I came across a nice article on USA Today that I hope is freely available to all (I am not a subscriber to USA Today). This January 14th USA Today article discusses the different aerial assets that are currently being used to fight the wildfires in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The article lists these aerial assets with a drawing and specifications, it is an easy read. In particular the article refers to the : 

• CL-415 Super Scooper (1,600 gallon tank)
• Bell UH-1H "Super Huey" Helicopter (380 gallon tank)
• Sikorsky S-70i "Fire Hawk' Helicopter (1,000 gallon tank)
• Grumman S-2T Airtanker (1,200 gallon tank)
• North American OV-10A Bronco Air Tactical Aircraft
• C-130 Hercules Airtanker (4,000 gallon tank)

Extreme fire danger continues in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties through Thursday, January 16th with a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning through 3 PM on Wednesday, January 15th.

Obtained on January 15th at 11 AM EST from https://www.weather.gov/lox/

Current wildfire statistics from the Cal Fire Incidents Page at 11:30 AM on January 15th:

• Palisades Fire, 23,713 acres, 19 percent contained, started 1/7/2025.
• Eaton Fire, 14,117 acres, 45 percent contained, started 1/7/2025.
• Hurst Fire, 799 acres, 97 percent contained, started 1/7/2025.
• Auto Fire, 61 acres, 47 percent contained, started 1/13/2025.

obtained from the Cal Fire Incidents Page at 11:10 AM on January 15th