Saturday 11 / January / 2025
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said that an overnight curfew had been imposed in impacted areas.
"You cannot be in these affected areas. If you are, you are subject to arrest," Luna told a press briefing.
Luna said the measures were being taken to protect the houses and structures of people who had been ordered to evacuate the areas under threat of the wildfires.
The curfew will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fire areas and come amid concerns of looting.
"This curfew will be strictly enforced and is being taken to enhance public safety, protect property and prevent any burglaries or looting in the area that the residents have evacuated."
Luna said anyone who broke the curfew could find themselves behind bars.
"I've given direction that if somebody is caught doing this, they are not going to get cited and released. They're going to get booked. We are not screwing around with this," he said.
Outgoing US President Joe Biden said the situation in Los Angeles was much like something out of a warzone.
"It reminded me of more of a war scene, where you had certain targets that were bombarded," Biden said as he received a briefing on the fires in the Oval Office on Friday. "It's almost like it's a battle scene."
Addressing concerns about looting, Biden said the government had responded by providing more police officers and military personnel.
"There's clear evidence that there's looting. There's clear evidence that people are going into these survivors' communities... and looting," Biden said.
With only 10 days left in office, Biden also said that the incoming administration would be briefed on what they would need to do.
