Axios

Last year was Earth's warmest on record, eclipsing 2023's record and for the first time exceeding the Paris target of 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, the Copernicus Climate Change Service announced.

Why it matters: While climate scientists don't put too much stock into an individual year's record, the long-term trend is toward more rapid warming, and it is not entirely clear why 2024 was so hot and what it portends.

None of the Los Angeles County fires that have killed at least 10 people are among California's 20 largest wildfires, but they're among the most destructive on record as they burned more structures overnight.

The big picture: Mayor Karen Bass described this enduring "firestorm" that prompted tens of thousands to evacuate after erupting Tuesday amid extremely dry conditions and Santa Ana winds that reached hurricane-force intensity as "the big one in magnitude."

Raging wildfires tearing through Los Angeles County into Thursday have razed neighborhoods across the area, leaving behind a trail of destruction and deaths.

The latest: At least 10 fire-related deaths have been reported as of 9pm local time, per a statement from the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner.

A new Los Angeles County wildfire ignited and exploded in size in West Hills near homes in the Calabasas and Hidden Hills areas, triggering more mandatory evacuation orders on Thursday.

State of play: The Kenneth Fire quickly spread into Ventura County after starting around 3:30pm in L.A., prompting the NFL to move the L.A. Rams' wild-card playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings to Arizona. A Ventura County fire official told KNBC Thursday evening, "Forward progress of the fire has been stopped and we've contained it to only 960 acres."

Raging wildfires tearing through Los Angeles County have destroyed homes, neighborhoods and iconic landmarks, and killed at least five people.

Why it matters: Some of the most historic structures in the U.S. were completely wiped out.