Five new fires spark in California, others still blazing

First responders battled nine separate wildfires Friday across four southern California counties, after five new fires sparked the previous day, according to CalFire. Over two weeks of active wildfires destroyed more than 50,000 acres of land, mostly in Los Angeles County. However, meteorologists expect a wave of rain and snow to move through the region towards the end of the weekend, the National Weather Service reported.

Los Angeles:

• Four wildfires active on Friday

• About 48,000 total acres burned

• 28 people feared dead

• More than 16,000 buildings destroyed

• Tens of thousands of residents evacuated

Residents near the Topanga State Park were ordered to evacuate as authorities fight the Sepulveda fire that started Thursday. The fire stopped advancing and was 60% contained after burning about 45 acres, according to a Friday morning update. The Hughes fire near Castaic Lake ignited Wednesday and reached 56% containment after burning just over 10,300 acres, FireCal reported.

Officials reported the devastating Palisades fire was over 75% contained on Friday after it blazed for more than two weeks. Authorities believed nearly a dozen people died in the fire that destroyed about 6,800 buildings and burned more than 23,000 acres. Despite the firefighter's progress in containing the fire, the area remained under a red-flag warning as Santa Ana winds of over 35 mph swept the region overnight, according to a Friday update.

The Eaton fire north of Pasadena on Friday was about 95% contained after burning about 14,000 acres in just over two weeks. Authorities reported that 17 people died in the fire that destroyed about 9,418 buildings and injured nine people, including firefighters. Nearly 600 evacuees remained in shelters as utility companies began restoring service to residential areas, according to a Friday update.

San Diego:

• Two active wildfires on Friday

• About 5,300 acres burned

• No reported fatalities

The Gilman fire sparked just outside the University of California San Diego’s campus and burned about two acres before authorities contained it. However, the Border 2 fire near the California-Mexico border burned over 5,300 acres by Friday afternoon. Authorities ordered residents near the Otay Mountain Wilderness to evacuate as nearly 700 first responders battle the flames now only 10% contained. San Diego County officials also put down two other wildfires earlier this week.

Ventura County: One wildfire, the Laguna fire, burned just under 100 acres and reached 70% containment by Thursday night, according to the latest update.

Riverside County:

• Two active wildfires on Friday

• About 55 acres burned

• No fatalities reported

The Gibbel ignited Thursday and consumed about 15 acres before reaching 90% containment, according to a Friday morning report. The Clay fire sparked on Tuesday and burned about 40 acres before reaching 90% containment, according to a Friday update.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report for more about the new fires in Los Angeles.