Areas under mandatory evacuation orders due to the Palisades and Eaton fires burning in Los Angeles County could be under a 12-hour curfew starting as early as Thursday evening, Jan. 9.
At a news conference earlier in the day, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna announced the potential curfew as part of an effort to combat looting and crime in the burned areas. Once implemented, the curfew would be in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., according to officials.
The evacuated areas are off limits to everyone except first responders and maintenance workers, Luna said at a news conference Thursday evening.
“Do not go in there unless you have specific business,” Luna said. “You will be detained and you will be arrested if you are up to no good.”
As of Thursday afternoon, the Sheriff’s Department has made 20 arrests related to looting in burn areas, according to a news release from LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger’s office.
Looters will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said at the news conference Thursday evening.
“Let me be clear there is going to be zero tolerance for anybody … that would dare to enter houses or loot property from the individuals or the structures that remain standing,” Bass said.
An announcement confirming the curfew is expected later Thursday evening.
