January 2025 Southern California wildfires#Hughes Fire
{{Short description|Natural disaster in the United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox wildfire
|title = January 2025 Southern California wildfires
|partof = the 2025 California wildfires
|date = January 7–31, 2025
(24 days)
|location = Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura counties, California
|percent_contained =
|acres = Roughly {{convert|57636|acre|ha sqmi km2|0}}
|missing = 31+{{cite web |last1=Moses |first1=Claire |title=Update from Claire Moses |website=The New York Times |access-date=16 January 2025 |date=16 January 2025 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/16/us/los-angeles-wildfires-california/ad35a8f8-b134-593f-b987-fae8e5e0aaf9?smid=url-share}}{{cite web |last1=Bogel-Burroughs |first1=Nicholas |title=Update from Nicholas Bogel-Burroughs |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/12/us/los-angeles-fires-california/81479b51-709a-553b-8bf7-c9be60d82935?smid=url-share |website=The New York Times |access-date=15 January 2025 |date=13 January 2025 |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115052553/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/12/us/los-angeles-fires-california/81479b51-709a-553b-8bf7-c9be60d82935?smid=url-share |url-status=live }}
|evacuated = 200,000+
|structures = 18,189+ destroyed or damaged
|cause = Under investigation, exacerbated by severe Santa Ana winds and drought conditions
|image = Southern california wildfires2025.png
|image_size = 250px
|caption = Sentinel-3 satellite image of the Palisades (left) and Eaton (right) fires burning near Los Angeles, California, January 9, 2025
|image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=250|from=January 2025 United States wildfires.map|frame-latitude=34.24|frame-longitude=-118.63|zoom=8|text=Overview of major fires in the Greater Los Angeles area (map data)}}
}}
From January 7 to 31, 2025, a series of 14 destructive wildfires affected the Los Angeles metropolitan area and San Diego County in California, United States.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-01 |title=Southern California wildfires fully contained after 24 days |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/southern-california-wildfires-fully-contained-after-24-days/3468561 |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=aa.com |language=en |archive-date=February 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202101035/https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/southern-california-wildfires-fully-contained-after-24-days/3468561 |url-status=live }} The fires were exacerbated by drought conditions, low humidity, a buildup of vegetation from the previous winter, and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, which in some places reached {{convert|100|mph|km/h m/s}}. The wildfires killed at least 30 people, forced more than 200,000 to evacuate, destroyed more than 18,000 homes and structures, and burned over {{Convert|57,000|acre|ha sqmi}} of land in total.{{cite web |title=CALFIRE: Current Emergency Incidents |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents |website=CAL FIRE |access-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130064355/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents |url-status=live }}
Most of the damage was from the two largest fires: the Eaton Fire in Altadena and the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, both of which were fully contained on January 31, 2025. Municipal fire departments and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) fought the property fires and wildfires, which were extinguished by tactical aircraft alongside ground firefighting teams. The deaths and damage to property from these two fires made them likely the second and third-most destructive fires in California's history, respectively.{{cite web |date=January 13, 2025 |title=Los Angeles wildfires: Crews scramble to contain blazes ahead of high winds |url=https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-california-01-12-25/index.html#:~:text=More%20than%2012%2C000%20structures%20have,respectively%2C%20according%20to%20Cal%20Fire |publisher=CNN |access-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113045441/https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-california-01-12-25/index.html#:~:text=More%20than%2012%2C000%20structures%20have,respectively%2C%20according%20to%20Cal%20Fire |url-status=live }}
Background
{{Multiple image
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| image1 = 250107 1700 day1fireotlk print.png
| image2 = January 8, 2025 1700Z Day 1 Fire Weather Outlook.png
| image3 = 250109 1700 day1fireotlk print.png
| image4 = 250110 1700 day1fireotlk print.png
| perrow = 2 / 2
| footer = Storm Prediction Center fire weather outlooks from January 7 to 10
}}
The windstorm and resulting fire danger were well forecast. On January 1, the Lachman Fire broke out. The Lachman Fire was contained at 4:46 a.m. local time and was limited to only eight acres and did not destroy any structures.{{Cite news |date=2025-01-13 |title=What caused Los Angeles' massive fire? Fresh analysis suggests shocking New Year's eve connection |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/what-caused-los-angeles-massive-fire-fresh-analysis-suggests-shocking-new-years-eve-connection-101736762819653.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113154705/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/what-caused-los-angeles-massive-fire-fresh-analysis-suggests-shocking-new-years-eve-connection-101736762819653.html |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |access-date=2025-02-02 |work=Hindustan Times |language=en-us |url-status=live }} The Palisades Fire was later reported to start from a similar spot as to where the Lachman Fire started.{{Cite news |author=Erielle Delzer |date=2025-01-20 |title=What we know about the start of the Palisades Fire |work=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-we-know-about-start-of-palisades-fire-los-angeles/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |language=en-US |archive-date=February 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209120408/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/what-we-know-about-start-of-palisades-fire-los-angeles/ |url-status=live }} On January 2, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) warned that conditions in Southern California fostered "above normal significant fire potential".{{Cite web |date=January 2, 2025 |title=National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook |url=https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf |publisher=National Interagency Fire Center |access-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-date=August 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230804020953/https://www.nifc.gov/nicc-files/predictive/outlooks/monthly_seasonal_outlook.pdf |url-status=live }} That same day, local National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts noted the potential for intense fires and issued a Fire Weather Watch.{{Cite web |last1=Cohen |last2=Kittell |last3=Lewis |date=January 2, 2024 |title=Area Forecast Discussion |url=https://www.weather.gov/wrh/TextProduct?product=afdlox&id=d967ebab-a397-491d-9fea-1c676839775c |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109140408/https://www.weather.gov/wrh/TextProduct?product=afdlox&id=d967ebab-a397-491d-9fea-1c676839775c |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=weather.gov |publisher=National Weather Service }}{{Cite web |work=National Weather Service |date=January 3, 2025 |title=National Weather Service Raw Text Product Displaying AFOS PIL: RFWLOX Product Timestamp: 2025-01-03 22:19 UTC |url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RFWLOX&e=202501032219 |access-date=January 12, 2025 |publisher=IEM NWS Product Archive |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113050826/https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RFWLOX&e=202501032219 |url-status=live }}
On January 3, the Storm Prediction Center (SPC) forecast a critical risk of fire weather that would occur on January 8, and by January 7, on the first day of critical fire weather in the area,{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250107_1200_fwdy1_print.html |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111131016/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250107_1200_fwdy1_print.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 3-8 Fire Weather Forecast Issued on Jan 3, 2025 |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/exper/fire_wx/2025/250103.html |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109150421/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/exper/fire_wx/2025/250103.html |url-status=live }} the SPC forecasted an extremely critical risk for Fire Weather for January 8.{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 2 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250107_0700_fwdy2_print.html |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113040621/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250107_0700_fwdy2_print.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250108_1700_fwdy1_print.html |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111034744/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250108_1700_fwdy1_print.html |url-status=live }} Subsequent days since January 9 up to January 15 have had at least a critical fire weather risk issued for Southern California,{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250109_1700_fwdy1_print.html |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126072225/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250109_1700_fwdy1_print.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250110_1700_fwdy1_print.html |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126072243/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250110_1700_fwdy1_print.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250111_1700_fwdy1_print.html |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126072242/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250111_1700_fwdy1_print.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250112_1700_fwdy1_print.html |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112161702/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250112_1700_fwdy1_print.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250115_1700_fwdy1_print.html |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115171936/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250115_1700_fwdy1_print.html |url-status=live }} with January 13–14 having back to back Extremely Critical Fire Risks.{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250113_1700_fwdy1_print.html |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=www.spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116023020/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250113_1700_fwdy1_print.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250114_1700_fwdy1_print.html |access-date=2025-01-18 |website=www.spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114201144/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250114_1700_fwdy1_print.html |url-status=live }} On January 17, they issued a Critical Fire Risk for January 20–21,{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 3-8 Fire Weather Forecast Issued on Jan 17, 2025 |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/exper/fire_wx/2025/250117.html |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=www.spc.noaa.gov}} with the former upgraded to Extremely Critical Risk by January 19, the latter also upgraded to Extremely Critical by January 20.{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250120_1700_fwdy1_print.html |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=www.spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126072225/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250120_1700_fwdy1_print.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250121_1700_fwdy1_print.html |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=www.spc.noaa.gov}} Later on January 20, the SPC also forecasted Critical fire weather for January 22–23.{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250122_1700_fwdy1_print.html |access-date=2025-01-23 |website=www.spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124091412/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250122_1700_fwdy1_print.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Storm Prediction Center Day 1 Fire Weather Forecast (Print Version) |url=https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250123_1700_fwdy1_print.html |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=www.spc.noaa.gov |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123172422/https://www.spc.noaa.gov/products/fire_wx/2025/250123_1700_fwdy1_print.html |url-status=live }}
The NWS issued a red flag warning, denoting the most extreme fire danger, for Los Angeles and Ventura counties, calling it a "particularly dangerous situation" that posed high risk to life and property.{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2024 |title=Fire warning issued for Southern California until Thursday evening, says the NWS |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/weather-news/article298140463.html |access-date=January 10, 2024 |website=The Sacramento Bee}}{{cite web |work=National Weather Service |date=January 7, 2025 |title=National Weather Service Raw Text Product Displaying AFOS PIL: RFWLOX Product Timestamp: 2025-01-07 22:37 UTC |url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RFWLOX&e=202501072237 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |publisher=IEM NWS Product Archive |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113041452/https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/wx/afos/p.php?pil=RFWLOX&e=202501072237 |url-status=live }} The warning emphasized that fires could rapidly grow due to powerful winds and low humidity. Southern California had become increasingly arid since late summer 2024, with storm systems predominantly affecting the Pacific Northwest and Northern California instead, as a result of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) shifting from El Niño to La Niña. La Niña conditions had emerged over the tropical Pacific Ocean by December 2024.{{Cite web |title=What are El Nino and La Nina? |url=https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ninonina.html |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=NOAA |archive-date=January 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111092825/https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/ninonina.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2025 |title=January 2025 update: La Niña is here |url=https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/january-2025-update-la-nina-here |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=NOAA Climate.gov |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109160139/https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/january-2025-update-la-nina-here |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last= |date=2025-01-10 |title=Climate Prediction Center: ENSO Diagnostic Discussion January 2025 |url=https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110015629/https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.shtml |archive-date=2025-01-10 |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov}} By late December 2024, most of Los Angeles County had entered moderate drought status, creating heightened fire vulnerability due to desiccated vegetation in what was traditionally the region's wet season.{{Cite web |last1=Garrett |first1=Monica |last2=Gilbert |first2=Mary |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Wildfires are breaking out in Southern California as the 'most destructive windstorm' in over a decade hits |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/07/weather/california-windstorm-fire-los-angeles-climate/index.html |access-date=January 8, 2025 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108003953/https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/07/weather/california-windstorm-fire-los-angeles-climate/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Patrick |last2=Prociv |first2=Kathryn |date=January 7, 2025 |title='Life-threatening' windstorm fans fires in Southern California as blazes burn in Los Angeles |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/california-windstorm-fire-risk-rcna186525 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |publisher=NBC News |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108003953/https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/california-windstorm-fire-risk-rcna186525 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2025-02-19 |title=The weather and climate influences on the January 2025 fires around Los Angeles {{!}} NOAA Climate.gov |url=https://www.climate.gov/news-features/event-tracker/weather-and-climate-influences-january-2025-fires-around-los-angeles |access-date=2025-02-23 |website=www.climate.gov |language=en}}
= Severe drought =
{{see also|Climate change in California}}
Dry vegetation exacerbated the dangerous conditions, with many parts of Southern California experiencing severe drought, the driest start to the rainy season on record, and the driest nine-month period on record before the start of the wind event and subsequent fires.{{Cite news |last=Schlepp |first=Travis |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Severe drought conditions fueling dangerous Palisades Fire |url=https://ktla.com/news/california/wildfires/severe-drought-conditions-fueling-dangerous-palisades-fire/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |publisher=KTLA }}{{Dead link|date=February 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{Cite web |last=Swain |first=Daniel |date=January 5, 2025 |title=As extreme California precipitation dipole persists, a high-end offshore wind/fire weather event may unfold in SoCal this week |work=Weather West |url=https://weatherwest.com/archives/43171 |access-date=January 8, 2025 }}
According to a study published in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, climate change in the region has both increased temperatures and created volatility in rainfall levels.{{cite journal |last1=Swain |first1=Daniel L. |last2=Prein |first2=Andreas F. |last3=Abatzoglou |first3=John T. |last4=Albano |first4=Christine M. |last5=Brunner |first5=Manuela |last6=Diffenbaugh |first6=Noah S. |last7=Singh |first7=Deepti |last8=Skinner |first8=Christopher B. |last9=Touma |first9=Danielle |title=Hydroclimate volatility on a warming Earth |journal=Nature Reviews Earth & Environment |volume=6 |issue=1 |date=January 9, 2025 |issn=2662-138X |doi=10.1038/s43017-024-00624-z |pages=35–50 |bibcode=2025NRvEE...6...35S |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-024-00624-z |access-date=January 9, 2025 |display-authors=1 |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123202113/https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-024-00624-z |url-status=live }} {{anchor|Hydroclimate whiplash}}Droughts punctuated by periods of heavy rain, such as the rainy seasons in 2022–23 and 2023–24, result in the sudden growth of grasses, shrubs, and trees that rapidly dry out and remain as fuel for wildfires.{{Cite news |date=January 9, 2025 |last=Holthaus |first=Eric |title=The Los Angeles wildfires are climate disasters compounded |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/09/los-angeles-wildfires-climate-disasters |access-date=January 10, 2025 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last=Howarth |first=Tom |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Why a rain "whiplash" is to blame for Los Angeles fires |url=https://www.newsweek.com/la-fires-blame-hydroclimate-whiplash-palisades-wildfire-2012587 |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=Newsweek |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117150054/https://www.newsweek.com/la-fires-blame-hydroclimate-whiplash-palisades-wildfire-2012587 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last= McGrath |first= Matt |title= Climate 'whiplash' linked to raging LA fires |date= January 9, 2025 |access-date= January 9, 2025 |website= BBC News |url= https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0ewe4p9128o |quote= Climate change has made the grasses and shrubs that are fuelling the Los Angeles fires more vulnerable to burning, scientists say. |archive-date= January 21, 2025 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20250121205415/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0ewe4p9128o |url-status= live }} Climate change, according to research published in Environmental Research Letters, has made the hot and dry weather more likely to overlap with the offshore wind season, creating favorable conditions for wildfires.{{cite journal | last1=Goss | first1=Michael | last2=Swain | first2=Daniel L | last3=Abatzoglou | first3=John T | last4=Sarhadi | first4=Ali | last5=Kolden | first5=Crystal A | last6=Williams | first6=A Park | last7=Diffenbaugh | first7=Noah S | title=Climate change is increasing the likelihood of extreme autumn wildfire conditions across California | journal=Environmental Research Letters | volume=15 | issue=9 | date=September 1, 2020 | issn=1748-9326 | doi=10.1088/1748-9326/ab83a7 | doi-access=free | page=094016 | bibcode=2020ERL....15i4016G | display-authors=1}}{{cite web | last1=Masters | first1=Jeff | last2=Henson | first2=Bob | title=The role of climate change in the catastrophic 2025 Los Angeles fires | website=Yale Climate Connections | date=January 9, 2025 | url=https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/01/the-role-of-climate-change-in-the-catastrophic-2025-los-angeles-fires/ | access-date=January 10, 2025 | archive-date=January 23, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123084704/https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/01/the-role-of-climate-change-in-the-catastrophic-2025-los-angeles-fires/ | url-status=live }} Lengthy dry seasons also reduced local water supplies and the number of safe days to carry out controlled burns—which reduce fuel before fire season starts—creating additional challenges for firefighting.
A study conducted by scientists at the Institut Pierre Simon Laplace attributed the intensified fire conditions primarily to anthropogenic climate change with natural climate variability playing a minor role, after determining that meteorological conditions in the impacted areas exhibited marked differences from similar events occurring between 1950 and 1986. These included warmer temperatures of up to 5 °C (9.0 °F), precipitation decreases of up to 15%, increases of wind speeds by up to 5 km/h (roughly 20%), and urban temperature increases of up to 3 °C (5.4 °F).{{Cite report |url=https://zenodo.org/records/14635145 |title=January 2025 California wildfires have been fueled by meteorological conditions strengthened by human-driven climate change |last1=Cazzaniga |first1=Greta |last2=Faranda |first2=Davide |date=2025-01-12 |publisher=ClimaMeter, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, CNRS |doi=10.5281/zenodo.14635145 |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |access-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113202438/https://zenodo.org/records/14635145 |url-status=live }} Additionally, as climate change made the wildfire season in California longer, it further overlapped with the season of Santa Ana winds (October–January).{{cite web|last1=Thompson|first1=Andrea|last2=Visser|first2=Dean|date=January 17, 2025|title=Here's How Climate Change Fueled the Los Angeles Wildfires|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/los-angeles-fires-indisputably-fueled-by-climate-change/|website=Scientific American|access-date=January 20, 2025|archive-date=January 19, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119101800/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/los-angeles-fires-indisputably-fueled-by-climate-change/|url-status=live}} Analysis from Climate Central and World Weather Attribution also found that climate change strongly increased the likelihood of the wildfires by multiple ways.{{cite web |title=California wildfires worsened by climate change-driven heat |url=https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/California-fires-January-2024 |website=Climate central |access-date=2 February 2025 |archive-date=January 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118004120/https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-shift-index-alert/California-fires-January-2024 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Climate change increased the likelihood of wildfire disaster in highly exposed Los Angeles area |url=https://www.worldweatherattribution.org/climate-change-increased-the-likelihood-of-wildfire-disaster-in-highly-exposed-los-angeles-area/ |website=World Weather Attribution |access-date=2 February 2025}}
= Winds =
File:Overturned tree lamp post jan 9 2025.jpg
The events included Santa Ana winds of exceptional intensity, with forecasted gusts reaching {{convert|50|to|80|mph|km/h m/s|sigfig=2}} in populated areas of the Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including the San Gabriel Valley and the Los Angeles Basin which in prior wind events had been protected by their lower elevations. Higher elevations were predicted to experience even more extreme conditions, with wind speeds anticipated from {{convert|80|to|100|mph|abbr=on|km/h m/s}}. As the jet stream crossed mountain ranges in Southern California from north to south, mountain waves developed, accelerating wind speeds as air descended into the Los Angeles Basin and other nearby lowlands.{{Cite web |last1=Ta |first1=Amy |last2=Patel |first2=Nihar |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Mountain waves plus Santa Anas: Dangerous wind combo for SoCal fires |url=https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/press-play-with-madeleine-brand/climate-meta-hollywood-dry-jan/wind-fires-la |access-date=January 9, 2025 |publisher=KCRW |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124113139/https://www.kcrw.com/news/shows/press-play-with-madeleine-brand/climate-meta-hollywood-dry-jan/wind-fires-la |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Thompson |last2=Lewis |last3=Black |last4=Smith |last5=Schoenfeld |last6=Gomberg |date=January 6, 2024 |title=Area Forecast Discussion |url=https://www.weather.gov/wrh/TextProduct?product=afdlox&id=7565a759-1fa4-4748-b4ea-ba6741450b64 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109135058/https://www.weather.gov/wrh/TextProduct?product=afdlox&id=7565a759-1fa4-4748-b4ea-ba6741450b64 |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=weather.gov |publisher=National Weather Service }}
The NWS Los Angeles office described the windstorm as potentially "life-threatening", predicting that winds would "accelerate to dangerous levels" beginning on the afternoon of January 7, and would last through early January 8 for Southern California. The NWS warned that the "destructive" winds would likely result in widespread power outages and downed trees. It predicted that it would be the region's "most destructive windstorm seen since 2011".{{Cite web |date=February 14, 2020 |title=Here's when the strongest winds will whip across Southern California and how long it'll last |url=https://abc7.com/los-angeles-weather-hot-temperatures-socal/58983/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107164434/https://abc7.com/los-angeles-weather-hot-temperatures-socal/58983/ |url-status=live }} By the morning of January 7, the NWS reported wind speeds of {{convert|84|mph|km/h m/s|abbr=on}} on Magic Mountain Truck Trail in Santa Clarita, {{convert|62|mph|km/h m/s|abbr=on}} in Escondido Canyon, and {{convert|55|mph|km/h m/s|abbr=on}} at the Van Nuys Airport.{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2025 |title=SoCal battered by 'life-threatening' wind storm. Here's what you should know |url=https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/socal-braces-for-what-could-be-the-strongest-wind-event-in-over-a-decade |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=LAist |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108003954/https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/socal-braces-for-what-could-be-the-strongest-wind-event-in-over-a-decade |url-status=live }} The NWS reported at 6:19 p.m. that the windstorm could become Southern California's strongest wind event of 2025, especially in its valleys.{{Cite web |author1=US Department of Commerce |author2=NOAA |title=Area Forecast Discussion |url=https://www.weather.gov/wrh/TextProduct?product=afdlox |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108122059/https://www.weather.gov/wrh/TextProduct?product=afdlox |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=weather.gov }} US agency NOAA anticipated that wind speeds would be between {{convert|35|and|50|mph|abbr=on|km/h m/s|sigfig=2}}.{{Cite web |last=Lange |first=Jeva |date=January 10, 2025 |title=The Wind Forecast Brings New Worries in L.A. |url=https://heatmap.news/climate/los-angeles-fires-wind-forecast |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=Heatmap News }} Wind gusts were recorded at {{convert|100|mph|km/h m/s|abbr=on}} on Mount Lukens in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains and at {{convert|98|mph|km/h m/s|abbr=on}} in the Santa Monica Mountains.{{Cite web |last=Golembo |first=Max |date=January 8, 2025 |title=California wildfire forecast: Wind speeds remain high as brush fire threat continues |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/us-weather-winds-fire-southern-california-wednesday/story?id=117453087 |access-date=January 13, 2025 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115065547/https://abcnews.go.com/US/us-weather-winds-fire-southern-california-wednesday/story?id=117453087 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Martichoux |first=Alix |date=2025-01-08 |title=When will winds die down in Southern California? |url=https://fox40.com/news/wildfire-watch/when-will-winds-die-down-in-southern-california/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=FOX40 News |language=en-US |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113170531/https://fox40.com/news/wildfire-watch/when-will-winds-die-down-in-southern-california/ |url-status=dead }}
On January 11, at 1:06 p.m. PST, the NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard office issued a red flag warning for most Los Angeles and Ventura counties effective from 6 p.m. January 11 to 6 p.m. January 15, citing the re-intensification of Santa Ana winds and continued dry humidity.{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2025 |title=WWA Summary by Location for 34.16N 118.64W with CAZ372/CAC037/CAZ372 emphasis Red Flag Warning |url=https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=CAZ372&warncounty=CAC037&firewxzone=CAZ372&local_place1=Calabasas%20CA&product1=Red+Flag+Warning&lat=34.158&lon=-118.638 |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=forecast.weather.gov |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113060835/https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=CAZ372&warncounty=CAC037&firewxzone=CAZ372&local_place1=Calabasas%20CA&product1=Red+Flag+Warning&lat=34.158&lon=-118.638 |url-status=live }} The office also issued a wind advisory from 7:04 p.m. PST to January 12 at 2 p.m., predicting sustained {{convert|20|to|30|mph|abbr=on|km/h m/s|sigfig=2}} northeast winds with {{convert|45|mph}} gusts and isolated {{convert|55|mph}} gusts.{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2025 |title=WWA Summary by Location for 34.16N 118.64W with CAZ372/CAC037/CAZ372 emphasis Wind Advisory |url=https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=CAZ372&warncounty=CAC037&firewxzone=CAZ372&local_place1=Calabasas%20CA&product1=Wind+Advisory&lat=34.158&lon=-118.638 |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=forecast.weather.gov |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113045139/https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=CAZ372&warncounty=CAC037&firewxzone=CAZ372&local_place1=Calabasas%20CA&product1=Wind+Advisory&lat=34.158&lon=-118.638 |url-status=live }} On January 12, the NWS announced a Particularly Dangerous Situation Red Flag Warning from 4 a.m. on January 14 to 12 noon on January 15 for several regions in the Los Angeles and Ventura counties.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-15 |title=Warnings of 'fast-moving fire' after Los Angeles gets brief wind reprieve: Updates |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/powerful-winds-threaten-erase-firefighters-111518351.html |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116053538/https://www.yahoo.com/news/powerful-winds-threaten-erase-firefighters-111518351.html |url-status=live }} The PDS warning was issued for predicted damaging northeastern and eastern wind gusts between {{convert|55|to|70|mph}} with continued low humidity conditions, which the report stated could lead to "extreme fire behavior" and "long range spotting".{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2025 |title=WWA Summary by Location for 34.71N 119.75W with CAZ353/CAC083/CAZ353 emphasis Red Flag Warning |url=https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=CAZ353&warncounty=CAC083&firewxzone=CAZ353&local_place1=17%20Miles%20SSW%20Cuyama%20CA&product1=Red+Flag+Warning&lat=34.7132&lon=-119.7475 |access-date=January 13, 2025 |website=forecast.weather.gov |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113051220/https://forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.php?warnzone=CAZ353&warncounty=CAC083&firewxzone=CAZ353&local_place1=17%20Miles%20SSW%20Cuyama%20CA&product1=Red+Flag+Warning&lat=34.7132&lon=-119.7475 |url-status=live }}
= Human contributing factors =
== Local firefighting budgets ==
The budget for the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), one of several departments fighting the fires, was reduced by $17.6 million, or two percent, for the fiscal year 2024{{nbnd}}2025. On December 4, 2024, LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said that the reduction has "adversely affected the Department's ability to maintain core operations" and that the $7 million reduction in overtime hours "severely limited the Department's capacity to prepare for, train for, and respond to large-scale emergencies" and affected inspections of residences and brush clearance.{{Cite web |last=Ingram |first=Julia |date=January 10, 2025 |title=A month before fires, L.A. fire chief warned budget cuts were hampering emergency response |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-wildfires-los-angeles-fire-chief-budget-cuts/ |access-date=January 11, 2025 |publisher=CBS News |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124142337/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-wildfires-los-angeles-fire-chief-budget-cuts/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Rahman |first=Khaleda |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Fact Check: Did Los Angeles Cut Fire Department Funding by $17.6M? |url=https://www.newsweek.com/fact-check-did-los-angeles-cut-fire-department-funding-2011568 |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=Newsweek}}{{Cite web |last=Leonard |first=Eric |date=January 8, 2025 |title=LA Fire Chief warned last month that budget cuts would affect response to large-scale emergencies |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california-wildfires/la-widlfires-budget-cuts-palisades-fire/3598438/?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_LABrand |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=NBC Los Angeles |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124084222/https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california-wildfires/la-widlfires-budget-cuts-palisades-fire/3598438/?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_LABrand |url-status=live }} After the budget was passed, another $111 million in pay raises and equipment was added, thereby increasing the operating budget from the previous year.{{Cite web |title=Fact-checking criticism of California Democrats over fires |date=January 12, 2025 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czj3yk90kpyo |access-date=January 13, 2025 |publisher=BBC |quote=According to the LA Times, after the 2024-25 budget was passed, the city council approved $53m in pay raises for firefighters and $58m for new kit, such as firetrucks. According to the newspaper, once that funding is taken into account, the fire department's operating budget technically grew this year. The LAFD has an overall budget of approaching $1bn, and it isn't the only department responding to the fires. |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113034832/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czj3yk90kpyo |url-status=live }}
Simultaneously, the price and length of delays for firefighting vehicles significantly increased in recent years due to corporate concentration.{{Cite web |last=Musharbash |first=Basel |date=Jan 25, 2025 |title=Did a Private Equity Fire Truck Roll-Up Worsen the L.A. Fires? |url=https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/did-a-private-equity-fire-truck-roll |website=BIG |access-date=January 27, 2025 |archive-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125131606/https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/did-a-private-equity-fire-truck-roll |url-status=live }}{{Cite journal |last=Godfrey |first=Chris |date=2 August 2013 |title=An Evaluation of Fire Apparatus Usage and Operating Cost for Green Township Fire & EMS |url=http://www.ohiofirechiefs.com/aws/OFCA/asset_manager/get_file/77188 |journal=Ohio Fire Executive Program |page=8 |archive-date=January 27, 2025 |access-date=January 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127114308/http://www.ohiofirechiefs.com/aws/OFCA/asset_manager/get_file/77188 |url-status=live }} Multiple major fire departments across the United States are reporting difficulties with acquiring new fire trucks due to price increases.
== Construction management ==
Fire scientists say the destructive power of wildfires multiplied because older homes ignited one after the other.{{Cite news |last1=Karlamangla |first1=Soumya |last2=Glanz |first2=James |last3=Gebeloff |first3=Robert |date=2025-01-17 |title=How Wildfires Came for City Streets |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/17/us/los-angeles-wildfires-homes.html |access-date=2025-01-28 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128095953/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/17/us/los-angeles-wildfires-homes.html |url-status=live }} The California building code requires all homes in high-risk areas to use materials that are less likely to burn. However, in the Palisades neighborhood, most homes didn't comply with the building code, because they were built in the 1950s and 1960s. Older homes are more likely to be constructed with wood, include more surrounding vegetation and be closer to other homes.
== Electric grid ==
Robert McCullough, an electric utility consultant, has argued that the LA electric grid was designed to withstand wind speeds of up to {{convert|56|mph}}, stating that it is "quite low in today's climate". McCullough further criticized the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) for not having a system to shut off power in urban areas ahead of time when there is a high risk of wildfires.{{Cite news |last=Penn |first=Ivan |date=2025-01-10 |title=Los Angeles Utilities' Decisions to Keep Power On Are Scrutinized |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/us/california-fires-la-power.html |access-date=2025-01-28 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128123115/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/us/california-fires-la-power.html |url-status=live }}
== Homelessness ==
A 2021 Los Angeles Times investigation revealed that more than 54 percent of all fires requiring an LAFD response were associated with homelessness. Most are unintentional, resulting from the use of open-flame cooking equipment or campfires near tents and other flammable materials. The city cannot prohibit unhoused people from performing vital activities like cooking, and attempts to remove encampments from high-risk areas have been blocked by the Supreme Court, which ruled that the city is obligated to provide housing for the residents of a removed encampment. About a third of homeless-related fires are classed as arson by the LAFD. The LAFD only forwards arson cases to the Police Department for investigation when there is significant property damage or they believe the victim was being targeted. Thus, very few homeless-related arsons are prosecuted.Smith, Doug; Queally, James; Molina, Genaro. [https://archive.today/20210512155116/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-05-12/surge-in-fires-at-la-homeless-encampments-growing-crisis 24 fires a day: Surge in flames at L.A. homeless encampments a growing crisis] Los Angeles Times, 2021 05 12 In 2024, Los Angeles had, on average, 46 homeless-related fires every day.Palombo, Ross. [https://web.archive.org/web/20250307120918/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/hollywood-hills-neighbors-raise-concerns-about-homeless-encampment-fires/ KCAL Uncovers Records Showing Dangerous Spike in Homeless Fires] KCAL News, 2025 03 07. "Since 2019, the number of fires connected to a homeless person has increased by between two and three thousand incidents every year. In 2024, there were almost 17,000 fires attributed to the same cause across the entire city."
== Water supplies ==
According to the New York Times, as wildfires roared into residential neighborhoods, the firefighters ran out of water.{{Cite news |last1=Arango |first1=Tim |last2=Baker |first2=Mike |last3=Bogel-Burroughs |first3=Nicholas |date=2025-01-10 |title='Completely Dry': How Los Angeles Firefighters Ran Out of Water |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/us/los-angeles-fire-water-hydrant-failure.html |access-date=2025-01-28 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 28, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250128095953/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/us/los-angeles-fire-water-hydrant-failure.html |url-status=live }} Officials say the storage tanks that hold water for high-elevation areas like the Highlands, and the pumping systems that feed them, could not keep pace with the demand. The pump-and-storage system was designed for a fire that might consume several homes, not one that would consume hundreds, said Marty Adams, former chief engineer at the LADWP. Professor Greg Pierce, a scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, further stated that most water systems were designed for fighting urban fires, not fast-moving wildfires.
After flames leveled nearly 500 homes in Bel Air and Brentwood in the 1961 wildfire, they constructed the Santa Ynez Reservoir, a {{convert|117|e6USgal|m3 L}} water reservoir located in the upper Pacific Palisades.{{Cite web |last1=Hamilton |first1=Matt |last2=Zahniser |first2=David |date=2025-01-22 |title=This reservoir was built to save Pacific Palisades. It was empty when the flames came |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-22/why-has-a-reservoir-in-palisades-stood-empty-for-a-year |url-access=subscription |access-date=2025-01-28 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=February 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210071310/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-22/why-has-a-reservoir-in-palisades-stood-empty-for-a-year |url-status=live }} However, on January 7, the Santa Ynez Reservoir had been completely emptied to repair a tear in its cover. The tear was first noticed by a Department of Water employee in January 2024, and the DWP was originally planning to have it repaired and back in use by April 2024. Former and current DWP officials said that if the reservoir had not been empty, the Palisades would have had higher water pressure.{{Cite news |last1=Hamilton |first1=Matt |last2=Zahniser |first2=David |date=2025-01-22 |title=This reservoir was built to save Pacific Palisades. It was empty when the flames came |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-22/why-has-a-reservoir-in-palisades-stood-empty-for-a-year |access-date=2025-01-22 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=February 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210071310/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-22/why-has-a-reservoir-in-palisades-stood-empty-for-a-year |url-status=live }} [https://archive.today/20250122112732/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-22/why-has-a-reservoir-in-palisades-stood-empty-for-a-year Archive] Former LADWP General Manager Martin Adams stated that the repair operations had been going on "for a while", and that officials typically maintained lower water levels in the reservoir during winter months to prevent water stagnation and associated issues with chemical concentrations and bacterial growth.
Preparations
On January 6, California governor Gavin Newsom stated he would assign 65 fire engines, 7 helicopters, 7 water tenders, and 109 workers to fighting wildfires that arose. Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass warned residents that the windstorm could become one of the harshest in more than a decade, and cautioned them to avoid wind-downed power lines. As Bass was out of the country for the inauguration of Ghanaian president John Mahama,{{Cite web |last=Mueller |first=Julia |date=January 8, 2025 |title=LA mayor Bass criticized for Africa trip during wildfires |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5073929-la-mayor-bass-criticized-wildfires/ |website=The Hill}} Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson filled in as acting mayor.{{Cite web |last=Ray |first=Lexis-Olivier |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Mayor Karen Bass Flies Back From Ghana As L.A. Faces Historic Wild Fires |website=L.A. TACO |url=https://lataco.com/mayor-karen-bass-flies-back-from-ghana-as-l-a-faces-historic-wild-fires |access-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124104029/https://lataco.com/mayor-karen-bass-flies-back-from-ghana-as-l-a-faces-historic-wild-fires |url-status=live }}
Southern California Edison, the area's primary electricity provider, proposed to cut off power to some customers to prevent faulty equipment from starting fires; officials anticipated that up to 400,000 of its 5 million customers could see power disruptions. San Diego Gas & Electric also stated that it would cut power before the onset of extreme weather.
Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District said that it would close all its schools in Malibu for January 7 "due to worsening weather conditions and safety concerns". Los Angeles Unified School District stated that it would temporarily move several Pacific Palisades schools and limit outdoor activities to protect against wind. Sections of Pacific Coast Highway were closed because severe winds threatened traffic. In advance of the potential wildfires, the 114 tanks making up Los Angeles's water infrastructure were filled.{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2025 |title=After fire hydrants lacked water in Palisades, city officials blame 'tremendous demand' |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-08/lack-of-water-from-hydrants-in-palisades-fire-is-hampering-firefighters-caruso-says |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108100629/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-08/lack-of-water-from-hydrants-in-palisades-fire-is-hampering-firefighters-caruso-says |url-status=live }} NIFC raised its National Preparedness Level to 2, allowing for the initial deployment of federal assets.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn|title=National Fire News {{pipe}} National Interagency Fire Center|website=nifc.gov|access-date=January 9, 2025|archive-date=September 14, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914184919/https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn|url-status=live}}
Lead-up
As the winds began to blow on January 7, the City of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency in anticipation of heightening winds. The South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) issued a dust storm warning for several counties in Southern California, warning that the harsh winds could blow dust and soil into the air.{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Fire explodes to more than 1,200 acres, reaches beach in Malibu |url=https://abc7.com/live-updates/socal-braces-possibly-destructive-windstorm-amid-dangerous-fire-weather/15771235/entry/15773541/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124092929/https://abc7.com/live-updates/socal-braces-possibly-destructive-windstorm-amid-dangerous-fire-weather/15771235/entry/15773541/ |url-status=live }}
A news conference held by United States President Joe Biden in Coachella Valley to sign proclamations for the Chuckwalla National Monument and the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument was canceled for excessive winds.{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2025 |title=President Biden arrives in SoCal to announce new national monument |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/president-biden-arrives-in-socal-to-announce-new-national-monument/3595991/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=NBC Los Angeles |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114114544/https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/president-biden-arrives-in-socal-to-announce-new-national-monument/3595991/ |url-status=live }} Dozens of trees were downed throughout the San Gabriel Valley, including in Pasadena. At midday, the event left more than 20,000 customers without power.{{Cite web |last=Brinkmann |first=Heather |date=January 6, 2025 |title=Wildfires erupt around Los Angeles during 'life-threatening' windstorm |url=https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/los-angeles-wind-storm-life-threatening-fire-danger |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=FOX Weather |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122111034/https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/los-angeles-wind-storm-life-threatening-fire-danger |url-status=live }} For the third time in three months, Southern California Edison shut off power to certain areas to reduce the chance that electrical equipment might ignite additional fires. These preventative measures left thousands more without power.{{Cite web |date=December 10, 2024 |title=Winds whip Southland, fuel Malibu fire: Where SoCal Edison has shut off power |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-12-10/southern-california-edison-power-shutoffs-santa-ana-winds-malibu-fire |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114141250/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-12-10/southern-california-edison-power-shutoffs-santa-ana-winds-malibu-fire |url-status=live }}
Several flights were delayed by the intensity of the winds, with pilots being warned not to fly close to terrain. The Federal Aviation Administration ordered a temporary stop to ground activities at the Hollywood Burbank Airport, following strong wind gusts forcing multiple go-arounds. Southwest Airlines diverted or canceled several flights for strong winds present at Ontario and Burbank airports.
{{Clear}}
List of major wildfires
Wildfires
File:MODIS Aqua SoCal (Bands 7, 4, and 3) 2025-01-08T21 40Z (cropped2).jpg Aqua satellite imagery of the Palisades, Hurst, and Eaton fires, January 8, 21:40 GMT/1:40 p.m. PST.]]
The extreme intensity of the windstorm (peak gusts were {{convert|100|mph|km/h|sigfig=3|abbr=on}} at the Mount Lukens Truck Trail in the eastern San Gabriel Mountains) coupled with dry vegetation due to prolonged drought conditions caused fires to spread rapidly, and airborne embers set spot fires far away.{{Cite news |last1=Knoll |first1=Corina |last2=Mayorquín |first2=Orlando |last3=Petri |first3=Alexandra E. |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Palisades Fire Live Updates: 30,000 Ordered to Evacuate in L.A. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/07/us/palisades-brush-fires-california |access-date=January 8, 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108051943/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/07/us/palisades-brush-fires-california |url-status=live }}
= Palisades Fire =
{{Main|Palisades Fire}}
File:Palisades Fire (54254705864).jpg
The Palisades Fire ignited January 7 near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood in Los Angeles, rapidly expanding to encompass {{convert|5,000|acre|ha sqmi km2}}. It was first reported at around 10:30 a.m. PST, covering about 10 acres (4.0 ha) of mountains north of the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. It began to quickly spread. Officials ordered mandatory evacuations along sections of the Pacific Coast Highway and surrounding areas; the Westwood Recreation Center served as an emergency shelter.{{Cite web |title=Palisades Fire |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/palisades-fire |access-date=January 7, 2025 |website=fire.ca.gov |publisher=California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107224601/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/palisades-fire |url-status=live }} During midday, firefighters reported that strong winds were causing the fire to grow by "three football fields of land per minute".{{Cite web |author=Andrew Curry |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Pacific Palisades Wildfire Forces Mass Evacuations as Flames Devour Hillsides |url=https://lamag.com/news/pacific-palisades-wildfire-forces-mass-evacuations-as-flames-devour-hillsides |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=LAmag |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107234501/https://lamag.com/news/pacific-palisades-wildfire-forces-mass-evacuations-as-flames-devour-hillsides |url-status=live }} Immediate evacuation orders were issued for residents of Santa Monica living north of San Vicente Boulevard.{{Cite web |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Live updates: Pacific Palisades wildfire in Los Angeles, California orders evacuations |url=https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-wildfire-windstorm-01-07-25/index.html |access-date=January 8, 2025 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107223506/https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-wildfire-windstorm-01-07-25/index.html |url-status=live }} At 12:12 p.m. PST on January 8, the City of Malibu urged all remaining residents to evacuate in the face of the uncontrolled fire.{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2025 |title=California wildfires live updates: New blazes erupt as crews battle Palisades Fire |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/live-updates-pacific-palisades-wildfire-rapidly-grows-california-rcna186685 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |publisher=NBC News |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108134918/https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/live-updates-pacific-palisades-wildfire-rapidly-grows-california-rcna186685 |url-status=live }} Evacuation orders were given for the LA neighborhood of Brentwood.{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2025 |first=Theresa |last=Braine |title=Kamala Harris' Brentwood neighborhood evacuated amid L.A. wildfires |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/01/08/kamala-harris-brentwood-home-evacuated-los-angeles-wildfires/ |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=Daily News |location=New York |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109145608/https://www.nydailynews.com/2025/01/08/kamala-harris-brentwood-home-evacuated-los-angeles-wildfires/ |url-status=live }} Human remains were found in a destroyed house in Malibu during a welfare check.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california-wildfires/human-remains-palisades-fire-death/3599655/|title=Human remains found in home destroyed by Palisades Fire on LA County coast|first1=Alex|last1=Rozier|first2=Jonathan|last2=Lloyd|date=January 9, 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Fioresi |first=Dean |date=January 9, 2025 |title=SkyCal offers aerial look at Pacific Palisades neighborhoods impacted by fire |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/skycal-aerial-look-at-pacific-palisades-neighborhoods-impacted-by-fire/ |access-date=January 10, 2025 |publisher=CBS News |archive-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110185629/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/skycal-aerial-look-at-pacific-palisades-neighborhoods-impacted-by-fire/ |url-status=live }}
On January 10, evacuation orders were extended into Tarzana and Encino in the San Fernando Valley.{{Cite news |last1=Chow |first1=Vivian |last2=Goldberg |first2=Lily |last3=Dallow |first3=Marc |last4=Sternfeld |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Palisades Fire threatens Los Angeles' San Fernando Valley |url=https://ktla.com/news/california/wildfires/palisades-fire-now-historic-and-deadly-continues-to-grow-in-scale-and-devastation/ |publisher=KTLA }}{{Dead link|date=February 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} On January 24, 23,448 acres of land were destroyed by the fire; with 79 percent of the fire contained.{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2025 |title=Update: 23,448 acres destroyed in Los Angeles County by Palisades Fire, still 79% contained |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article299095345.html |website=The Sacramento Bee |access-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124204429/https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/fires/article299095345.html |url-status=live }} As of January 28, the Palisades Fire has been confirmed to have destroyed 6,837 homes and other structures and burned a total of 23,448 acres. As of the latest reports from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), damage assessment teams are nearing completion of their inspections. The fire was then reported to be 100 percent contained on January 31 by CAL FIRE.{{Cite web |last=Romero |first=Dennis |date=2025-02-01 |title=Deadly Eaton and Palisades fires 100% contained after 24 days |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/palisades-eaton-fire-la-contained-rcna188338 |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=February 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202071143/https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/palisades-eaton-fire-la-contained-rcna188338 |url-status=live }}
= Eaton Fire =
{{Main|Eaton Fire}}
File:Eaton Fire from Woodland Hills (cropped).jpg]]
Shortly after January 7 at 6:15 p.m. PST, a brush fire in Eaton Canyon in the Altadena–Pasadena region, dubbed the Eaton Fire, was first reported with an area of {{convert|20|acre|ha sqmi km2}}. According to Pasadena Now, residents next to the canyon told emergency services that a nearby electrical tower was on fire.{{Cite web |last=MacPherson |first=James |date=January 9, 2025 |title=The Moment the Eaton Fire Ignited |url=https://pasadenanow.com/main/the-moment-the-eaton-fire-ignited |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110035655/https://pasadenanow.com/main/the-moment-the-eaton-fire-ignited |archive-date=January 10, 2025 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=Pasadena Now}} By 7:12 p.m., the fire had grown to at least {{convert|200|acre|ha sqmi km2}} in size. Los Angeles County Fire Captain Sheila Kelliher said the winds would continue to cause the fire to grow rapidly.{{Cite web |last=Hiramoto |first=K. J. |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Fire breaks out near Pasadena after different fire devastates LA County's westside neighborhoods |url=https://www.foxla.com/news/eaton-fire-pasadena-altadena-california-wildfire |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=FOX 11 |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108105501/https://www.foxla.com/news/eaton-fire-pasadena-altadena-california-wildfire |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Lloyd |first=Jonathan |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Brush fire burns in Eaton Canyon area near Altadena |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california-wildfires/eaton-canyon-altadena-fire/3597073/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=NBC Los Angeles |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108025100/https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california-wildfires/eaton-canyon-altadena-fire/3597073/ |url-status=live }} Within six hours, the Eaton Fire had grown to {{convert|1000|acre|ha sqmi km2}}. The Terraces at Park Marino evacuated 95 senior citizens, with images showing many in wheelchairs and wearing only gowns. Evacuations were later expanded in Pasadena and in northern Sierra Madre and Arcadia. The AltaMed Medical Center and several residences in Hastings Ranch were "engulfed in flames".{{Cite web |last1=Mejia |first1=Brittny |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Burn victims treated at Duke's Malibu restaurant |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/live/pacific-palisades-fire-updates-los-angeles |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108222331/https://www.latimes.com/california/live/pacific-palisades-fire-updates-los-angeles |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times}} By January 8 at 10:36 a.m. PST, the fire had grown to {{convert|10600|acre|ha sqmi km2}}.{{Cite web |last1=Fioresi |first1=Dean |last2=Sharp |first2=Julie |last3=Rodriguez |first3=Matthew |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Eaton Fire explodes to 10,600 acres, leads to 2 deaths and "significant" number of injuries |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/eaton-canyon-altadena-brush-fire-strong-winds/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |publisher=KCAL |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108054420/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/eaton-canyon-altadena-brush-fire-strong-winds/ |url-status=live }} At midday, the fire began to advance into residential zones of Pasadena. All of La Cañada Flintridge was ordered to evacuate. At least five people had died in the fire.{{Cite web |last1=Fry |first1=Hannah |last2=Haggerty |last3=Toohey |last4=Vives |last5=Winton |date=January 8, 2025 |title=At least 5 dead in L.A. County firestorms; more than 1,000 structures lost |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-08/fire-weather-fierce-winds-los-angeles |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108214151/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-08/fire-weather-fierce-winds-los-angeles |url-status=live }} In the afternoon of January 9, the Eaton Fire began to approach Mount Wilson.{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Jeff |date=January 9, 2024 |title=Los Angeles wildfires: Updates from Jan. 9, 2025 |url=https://apnews.com/live/wildfire-los-angeles-palisades-eaton-updates#00000194-4c19-d297-a3df-5f390dc70000 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=AP News }} On January 18, the fire was 65% contained, with 17 deaths reported from the fires.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-18 |title=New round of evacuation orders lifted as LA mayor names chief recovery officer |url=https://abc7.com/live-updates/socal-braces-possibly-destructive-windstorm-amid-dangerous-fire-weather/15771235/ |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |language=en |archive-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110091806/https://abc7.com/live-updates/socal-braces-possibly-destructive-windstorm-amid-dangerous-fire-weather/15771235/ |url-status=live }} The Eaton Fire was reported to have been 100 percent contained on January 31.
= Hurst Fire =
File:Hurst Fire from Oakridge (cropped).jpg on January 7]]
The Hurst Fire started at around 10:10 p.m. PST on January 7 and spread to {{cvt|50|acre}} within 10 minutes, growing to {{cvt|100|acre}} in its first 30 minutes.{{Cite web|date=January 7, 2025|title=Sylmar Fire: Incident Update on 01/07/2025 at 10:37 PM |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/hurst-fire/updates/ddb12750-b59b-434f-b96f-32f540e38fd3|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109063009/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/hurst-fire/updates/ddb12750-b59b-434f-b96f-32f540e38fd3|archive-date=2025-01-09|access-date=2025-01-09|website=CAL FIRE}} It instituted immediate evacuation orders for all areas north of the Foothill Freeway between Roxford Street and the Golden State Freeway–Antelope Valley Freeway split.{{Cite web |title=Brush Fire – Sylmar fire mandatory evacuations 01/07/2025 INC#3294 |url=https://lafd.org/alert/brush-fire-sylmar-fire-mandatory-evacuations-01072025-inc3294 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=LAFD |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108094808/https://lafd.org/alert/brush-fire-sylmar-fire-mandatory-evacuations-01072025-inc3294 |url-status=live }} By 1:00 a.m. January 8, the fire was estimated to have spread to about {{cvt|300|acre}},{{Cite web|date=2025-01-10|title=Hurst Fire |url-status=deviated|url=https://lafd.org/news/hurst-fire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108091301/https://lafd.org/news/hurst-fire|archive-date=January 8, 2025|access-date=January 7, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Fire Department}} and by 1:49 a.m., the fire had spread to about {{cvt|500|acre}},{{Cite web|date=2025-01-08|title=Hurst Fire: Incident Update on 01/08/2025 at 1:49 AM |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/hurst-fire/updates/5f8cb87d-b1a8-4505-8a62-9fbfe9cf5614|access-date=2025-01-08|website=CAL FIRE}} largely within the footprint of the 2019 Saddleridge Fire.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-08|title=Hurst Fire|url=https://lafd.org/news/hurst-fire|url-status=deviated|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108171944/https://lafd.org/news/hurst-fire|archive-date=2025-01-08|access-date=2025-01-08|website=Los Angeles Fire Department}} The fire was fully contained on January 16 after burning {{cvt|799|acre|ha km2 sqmi}}.{{cite web | url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/hurst-fire/ | title=Hurst Fire | CAL FIRE }} More than 44,000 people were given evacuation orders, with a further 27,000 receiving evacuation warnings.{{Cite web|date=2025-01-08|title=California secures federal assistance to support response to Hurst Fire in Los Angeles County|url=https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/01/08/california-secures-federal-assistance-to-support-response-to-hurst-fire-in-los-angeles-county/|access-date=2025-01-09|website=Governor of California|language=en|archive-date=January 8, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108232536/https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/01/08/california-secures-federal-assistance-to-support-response-to-hurst-fire-in-los-angeles-county/|url-status=live}}
= Kenneth Fire =
File:Smoke from Kenneth Fire (2025) (cropped).png
The Kenneth Fire was first reported on January 9 at 2:30 p.m. PST, igniting along a trailhead near Victory Boulevard in the West Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.{{cite web |last1=Winton |first1=Richard |last2=Harter |first2=Clara |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Kenneth fire quickly grows to 791 acres, threatens homes near Calabasas |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-09/kenneth-fire-woodland-hills |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109235410/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-09/kenneth-fire-woodland-hills |url-status=live }} The fire quickly grew to {{convert|50|acre|ha sqmi km2}}. Resources from both Los Angeles County and Ventura County were requested.{{Cite web|url=https://app.watchduty.org/i/40508|title=Watch Duty - Wildfire Maps & Alerts|website=Watch Duty|access-date=January 10, 2025|archive-date=January 11, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111225058/https://app.watchduty.org/i/40508|url-status=live}} Mandatory evacuations were ordered for the area from Vanowen Street south to Burbank Boulevard and from County Lane Road east to Valley Circle Boulevard. Additional evacuation warnings were ordered for areas east of Valley Circle and for parts of Oak Park.{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2025 |title=This map shows where the Kenneth fire is burning near West Hills |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2025/01/09/this-map-shows-where-the-kenneth-fire-is-burning-near-west-hills/ |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=Daily News }} By 5:30 p.m. PST, the fire had grown to at least {{convert|960|acre|ha sqmi km2}} and was approaching suburbs in Calabasas and Hidden Hills. Soon after, governor Newsom announced the deployment of 900 additional firefighters to the area. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
On January 10, civilians detained a man whom they believed was trying to start a fire, and he was arrested by the LAPD. Police finally decided they did not have probable cause to detain him on suspicion of arson.{{cite news | last1=Sternfield | first1=Marc | last2=Chow | first2=Vivian | url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/man-detained-near-kenneth-fire/ | title=Man detained near Kenneth Fire not accused of arson | date=January 10, 2025 | access-date=January 10, 2025 | publisher=KTLA | archive-date=January 10, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110194335/https://ktla.com/news/local-news/man-detained-near-kenneth-fire/ | url-status=live }} On the same day, an evacuation warning was mistakenly issued for the entirety of Los Angeles County rather than an area specific to the Kenneth fire and was subsequently sent out to cellphones across the county as a wireless emergency alert message to nearly 10 million LA-area residents;{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Matthew |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Evacuation alert mistakenly sent to LA County residents |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/emergency-evacuation-alert-sent-to-residents-across-la-county/ |access-date=January 10, 2025 |publisher=CBS News |archive-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110004521/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/emergency-evacuation-alert-sent-to-residents-across-la-county/ |url-status=live }} County Supervisor Janice Hahn later confirmed that the alerts were accidental, with a follow-up correction alert being sent.{{Cite web |last=Palm |first=Iman |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Evacuation warning alert sent to all L.A. County residents by mistake, officials say |url=https://ktla.com/news/california/wildfires/evacuation-warning-alert-sent-to-all-l-a-county-residents-by-mistake-officials-say/ |publisher=KTLA |access-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111114513/https://ktla.com/news/california/wildfires/evacuation-warning-alert-sent-to-all-l-a-county-residents-by-mistake-officials-say/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Emergency Alert sent in error to all LA County residents, increasing panic amid fires |url=https://www.foxla.com/news/emergency-alert-sent-error-all-la-county-residents-increasing-panic-amid-fires |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=FOX 11 |archive-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110050406/https://www.foxla.com/news/emergency-alert-sent-error-all-la-county-residents-increasing-panic-amid-fires |url-status=live }} On January 10, Los Angeles County suspended the use of Genasys in favor of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES).{{cite news |last1=Jarvie |first1=Jenny |last2=Toohey |first2=Grace |last3=Castleman |first3=Terry |date=January 11, 2025 |title=Faulty evacuation alerts woke Angelenos in a panic. What's wrong with L.A.'s emergency system? |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-09/emergency-alert-text-message-los-angeles-fire |access-date=January 12, 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111082312/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-09/emergency-alert-text-message-los-angeles-fire |url-status=live }} The fire was 100 percent contained on January 12 after burning {{convert|1052|acre|ha sqmi km2}} of land.{{Cite web |title=Kenneth Fire {{!}} CAL FIRE |url=https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/9/kenneth-fire |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=www.fire.ca.gov |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111201609/https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/9/kenneth-fire |url-status=live }}
= Hughes Fire =
The Hughes Fire was first reported on January 22 at 10:42 a.m. PST, to the east of Castaic Lake in northern Los Angeles County. By 12:30 p.m., the wildfire had grown to over {{cvt|3,400|acre}} with zero containment, and triggered mandatory evacuations for settlements near the lake including Castaic.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-22 |title=Photos: Hughes Fire threatens Castaic, California |url=https://ktla.com/news/california/wildfires/photos-hughes-fire-ignites-expands-rapidly-across-southern-california-mountainside/ |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=KTLA |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Moshtaghian |first=Artemis |date=2025-01-22 |title=Residents under mandatory evacuation in northern Los Angeles County in first significant wildfire outbreak since fatal fires |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/22/us/hughes-fire-los-angeles-county-california/index.html |access-date=2025-01-22 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122222245/https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/22/us/hughes-fire-los-angeles-county-california/index.html |url-status=live }} By January 23, the fire was 36 percent contained. On January 30, the Hughes Fire was reported to be 100 percent contained after burning {{cvt|10,425|acre|ha km2 sqmi}}. At its height, over 30,000 people were under evacuation orders, with a further 20,000 under evacuation warnings.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Perry |date=2025-01-23 |title=Hughes Fire forces 30,000 evacuations |url=https://signalscv.com/2025/01/firefighters-responding-to-smoke-showing-near-i-5-in-castaic/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=Santa Clarita Valley Signal |language=en-US |archive-date=February 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250205000638/https://signalscv.com/2025/01/firefighters-responding-to-smoke-showing-near-i-5-in-castaic/ |url-status=live }}
= Border 2 Fire =
The Border 2 Fire started at 2:31 p.m. PST on January 23 and burned {{convert|6,625|acre|ha km2 sqmi|0|abbr=on}} in the Otay Mountain Wilderness before it was contained on January 30. No damage or injuries were reported.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2025-01-29 |title=Evacuation orders lifted for Border 2 fire after 100% containment |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/firefighters-near-containment-of-border-2-fire/3737656/ |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=NBC 7 San Diego |language=en-US |archive-date=February 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207165844/https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/firefighters-near-containment-of-border-2-fire/3737656/ |url-status=live }} Many schools were closed and numerous evacuation orders were issued.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-24 |title=Border 2 Fire Forces Evacuations, School Closures Near U.S.-Mexico Border |url=https://patch.com/california/san-diego/border-2-fire-forces-evacuations-otay-mountain-area |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=San Diego, CA Patch |language=en |archive-date=February 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250212014109/https://patch.com/california/san-diego/border-2-fire-forces-evacuations-otay-mountain-area |url-status=live }}
Impact
Around 200,000 people have been put under evacuation orders.{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2025 |title=California wildfires live updates: 179,000 under evacuation orders; L.A. County sheriff says some areas look 'like a bomb was dropped' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-deadly-blazes-spread-hollywood-hills-rcna186927 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |publisher=NBC News |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130125601/https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-deadly-blazes-spread-hollywood-hills-rcna186927 |url-status=live }} On January 21, around 88,000 people were put under evacuation orders, with another 84,800 in evacuation warning zones throughout Los Angeles County.{{Cite web |last1=Stelloh |first1=Tim |last2=Lenthang |first2=Marlene |last3=Cohen |first3=Rebecca |last4=Helsel |first4=Phil |date=2025-01-24 |title=California wildfires: What we know about L.A.-area fires, what caused them, who is affected and more |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-wildfires-what-we-know-palisades-eaton-los-angeles-rcna188239 |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=NBC News |language=en}} According to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna, around 470 inmates from a county jail in Castaic were evacuated.{{Cite web |last1=Musa |first1=Amanda |last2=Tucker |first2=Emma |last3=Shackelford |first3=Robert |last4=Park |first4=Hanna |date=2025-01-23 |title='We are not out of the woods yet': Thousands under evacuation in Southern California as officials warn of fire threat |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/22/us/hughes-fire-los-angeles-county-california/index.html |access-date=2025-01-24 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124151945/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/22/us/hughes-fire-los-angeles-county-california/index.html |url-status=live }}
= Deaths and injuries =
As of April 3, 30 deaths were attributed to the wildfires. Of those, 18 were attributed to the Eaton Fire and 12 to the Palisades Fire.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-27 |title=Los Angeles County Medical Examiner |url=https://me.lacounty.gov/2025/press-releases/wildfire-update-29th-death-reported-to-medical-examiner/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=Los Angeles County Medical Examiner |language=en-US}} The number made the Eaton Fire the deadliest and most destructive in terms of the number of destroyed or damaged buildings named wildfire in the incident out of the other recognized fires. These figures represent the 5th and 14th deadliest fires in the history of California, respectively.{{Cite web| url=https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/01/indirect-death-toll-from-the-l-a-fires-may-end-up-in-the-thousands/| title=Indirect death toll from the L.A. fires may end up in the thousands| last=Masters| first=Jeff| date=January 16, 2025| access-date=January 20, 2025| archive-date=January 18, 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118150325/https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/01/indirect-death-toll-from-the-l-a-fires-may-end-up-in-the-thousands/| url-status=live}}
67-year-old Anthony Mitchell and his son Justin Mitchell were both victims of the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Both were found by Justin's bed, possibly due to Anthony attempting to save him.{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Live updates: At least 10 dead in Los Angeles wildfires as Palisades, Kenneth, Eaton fires burn |url=https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-california-01-09-25-hnk#cm5q6d977000f3b6ooef05haq |access-date=January 10, 2025 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109113958/https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-california-01-09-25-hnk#cm5q6d977000f3b6ooef05haq |url-status=live }} Several burn injuries were reported, and a 25-year-old firefighter suffered a serious head injury. At about 9 p.m. PST, many burn victims walked towards Duke's Malibu restaurant, where they were then medically treated and transferred to hospitals. Rory Sykes, a 32-year-old British and Australian citizen with cerebral palsy, died of carbon monoxide poisoning during the Palisades Fire, which destroyed his cottage on his mother's Malibu estate. He was not initially counted among the death toll pending the discovery of his remains.{{Cite web |last=Beatty |first=Liam |date=January 11, 2025 |title=Australian Rory Sykes, 32, confirmed dead in horror LA California wildfires |url=https://www.news.com.au/world/north-america/australian-rory-sykes-32-confirmed-dead-in-horror-la-california-wild-fires/news-story/39292a4a85fe815ab6339b3d36853423 |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=News.com.au}}{{Cite web |last1=Bennett |first1=Emily |last2=Sarkari |first2=Karishma |date=January 11, 2025 |title=LA fires update: Australian man dead in Malibu wildfires, death toll rises |url=https://www.9news.com.au/national/la-fires-update-australian-man-dead-in-malibu-wildfires-death-toll-rises/f1270f82-1e8c-4961-a20a-e81d49fa70ae |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=9News |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111113702/https://www.9news.com.au/national/la-fires-update-australian-man-dead-in-malibu-wildfires-death-toll-rises/f1270f82-1e8c-4961-a20a-e81d49fa70ae |url-status=live }} His mother, Shelley Sykes told the press that failed emergency calls and the need to leave the property to alert firefighters delayed the response, blaming local infrastructure issues for the death. LA County Sheriff Robert Luna reported on January 9 that the scale of the number of fatalities would be better determined once canine and forensic searches could be thoroughly implemented.{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2025 |title=L.A. County sheriff on death toll: 'We don't know yet' |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-deadly-blazes-spread-hollywood-hills-rcna186927/rcrd67189?canonicalCard=true |access-date=January 10, 2025 |publisher=NBC News }}{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Eaton Fire death toll rises to 5, Sheriff Luna confirms |url=https://abc7.com/live-updates/socal-braces-possibly-destructive-windstorm-amid-dangerous-fire-weather/15771235/entry/15779338/ |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=ABC7 Los Angeles |archive-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110015826/https://abc7.com/live-updates/socal-braces-possibly-destructive-windstorm-amid-dangerous-fire-weather/15771235/entry/15779338/ |url-status=live }} Filmmaker David Lynch, who was already in poor health, died shortly after evacuating his home due to the Sunset Fire.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/david-lynch-dead-twin-peaks-blue-velvet-elephant-man-1236258625/|title=David Lynch Dies: 'Twin Peaks', 'Blue Velvet', 'Elephant Man' & 'Eraserhead' Visionary Was 78|first1=Erik|last1=Pedersen|first2=Anthony|last2=D'Alessandro|date=January 16, 2025|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=January 16, 2025|archive-date=January 16, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116194924/https://deadline.com/2025/01/david-lynch-dead-twin-peaks-blue-velvet-elephant-man-1236258625/|url-status=live}}
= Structural damage =
Wildfire Alliance statistics indicated that the Palisades fire alone was by far the most destructive in the Los Angeles region, with at least 1,000 structures destroyed, surpassing the Sayre Fire, which destroyed 604 structures in 2008, and the Bel Air Fire, which destroyed nearly 500 houses in 1961.{{Cite web |last1=Boone |first1=Rebecca |last2=Ding |first2=Jaimie |last3=Baumann |first3=Lisa |display-authors=etal |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Los Angeles-area wildfires: Live Updates from Jan. 8, 2025 |url=https://apnews.com/live/live-updates-wildfire-los-angeles-palisades?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=AP News |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122031424/https://apnews.com/live/live-updates-wildfire-los-angeles-palisades?utm_medium=share&utm_source=copy |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Wildfires latest: At least 5 people have died in Los Angeles-area fires |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2025/01/08/wildfires-latest-thousands-flee-los-angeles-as-blazes-burn-in-and-around-the-city/ |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=opb |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111211342/https://www.opb.org/article/2025/01/08/wildfires-latest-thousands-flee-los-angeles-as-blazes-burn-in-and-around-the-city/ |url-status=live }} The Reel Inn, a 36-year-old seafood restaurant, was confirmed by its owners to have been destroyed in the Palisades Fire. The Palisades Charter High School was engulfed by the fire after the wildfire reached the site at roughly 4 p.m. PST. No one was in the school due to it being out for winter break. Vegetation and trees near the Getty Villa burned, with no structural damage being reported as of 5:20 p.m. PST, January 7.
On January 8, more than 9,300 structures were reported destroyed. The fire later spread to the Palisades Charter Elementary School. Several beachfront properties in Malibu were destroyed by the wildfire. Dozens of cars abandoned on highways during evacuations were completely burnt, with bulldozers having to force several vehicles out of the way for firefighters to access burning areas. The fires destroyed the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center,{{Cite web |last=Cross |first=Greta |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Historic Jewish synagogue built over 80 years ago destroyed by Eaton Fire in Pasadena |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/01/08/pasadena-jewish-temple-center-eaton-wildfire/77548636007/ |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=USA Today |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111173143/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/01/08/pasadena-jewish-temple-center-eaton-wildfire/77548636007/ |url-status=live }} the Masjid Al-Taqwa, and the Altadena Community Church.{{Cite magazine |last1=Golden |first1=Hallie |last2=Ambriz |first2=Leslie |date=January 11, 2025 |title=L.A. Fires Destroy Houses of Worship, But People Persevere |url=https://time.com/7206249/la-wildfires-destroy-houses-of-worship-clergy-congregants-respond/ |access-date=January 12, 2025 |magazine=Time |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112055404/https://time.com/7206249/la-wildfires-destroy-houses-of-worship-clergy-congregants-respond/ |url-status=live }} The Belmont Music Publishers company, owned by Larry Schoenberg, son of 20th-century classical composer Arnold Schoenberg, was destroyed in the Palisades fire, resulting in the destruction of 100,000 Schoenberg-composed scores and letters, photographs, books, arrangements, and other Schoenberg memorabilia.{{Cite news |last=Loftus |first=Alex |date=2025-01-14 |title=Arnold Schoenberg: Composer's vast archive destroyed in LA fires |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c23n891j0mvo |access-date=2025-01-15 |work=BBC News |language=en-gb |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115174042/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c23n891j0mvo |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Wolfe |first1=Jonathan |last2=Graff |first2=Amy |last3=Moses |first3=Claire |date=2025-01-13 |title=California Wildfires Live Updates: 24 Dead in L.A. as Dangerous Winds Threaten Fire Growth |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/13/us/fires-los-angeles-california-updates |access-date=2025-01-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114022735/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/13/us/fires-los-angeles-california-updates |url-status=live }}
CBS News journalist Jonathan Vigliotti reported that "most everything is gone" in downtown Pacific Palisades aside from the local mall, and described the damage as "beyond comprehension". He also reported that embers from existing fires were being "blown more than a mile" by the severe windstorm and creating spot fires.{{Cite web |last1=Tanyos |first1=Faris |last2=Freiman |first2=Jordan |last3=Dakss |first3=Brian |last4=Breen |first4=Kerry |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Pacific Palisades fire burns in Los Angeles, Eaton fire kills 2: Live Updates |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/california-windstorm-fuels-pacific-palisades-wildfire-as-residents-flee-live-updates/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |publisher=CBS News |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108063744/https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/california-windstorm-fuels-pacific-palisades-wildfire-as-residents-flee-live-updates/ |url-status=live }} The Malibu Feed Bin and Theater Palisades' Pierson Playhouse were destroyed in the Palisades fire. The Eaton Canyon Nature Center was destroyed in the Eaton Fire, resulting in the deaths of about fifteen lizards.{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles wildfires live updates: New evacuation order issued as Archer Fire sparks in San Fernando Valley |url=https://apnews.com/live/wildfire-california-los-angeles-updates#00000194-5153-da1e-ab94-d7570e320000 |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=AP News |archive-date=January 20, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120124713/https://apnews.com/live/wildfire-california-los-angeles-updates#00000194-5153-da1e-ab94-d7570e320000 |url-status=live }} On January 11, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported that more than 12,000 buildings was threatened by the fires and that "It is expected that more than 5,000 structures have been destroyed". On January 16, EPA has begun assessing burned properties in the Eaton and Palisades fires with California Department of Toxic Substances Control.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-21 |title=2025 California Wildfires |url=https://www.epa.gov/ca/2025-california-wildfires |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en |archive-date=January 26, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250126193813/https://www.epa.gov/ca/2025-california-wildfires |url-status=live }}
Multiple celebrities' houses burned down in the wildfires, including the homes of Jhené Aiko, Tyra Banks, Eric Braeden, Jeff Bridges, Adam Brody, Barbara Corcoran, Billy Crystal, Cary Elwes, Empress Of, Mel Gibson, Dawes member Griffin Goldsmith, John Goodman, Bryan Greenburg, Harvey Guillén, Yolanda Hadid, Ed Harris, Fat Tony, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Paris Hilton, Anthony Hopkins, Taran Killam, Ricki Lake, Sandra Lee, Eugene Levy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Cameron Mathison, Leighton Meester, Mandy Moore, Brad Paisley, Photay, John C. Reilly, Josh Ruben, Zachary Cole Smith, Cobie Smulders, Candy Spelling, Carel Struycken, Miles Teller, Milo Ventimiglia, and Diane Warren.{{cite web |title=A-list couple's home destroyed in LA fires – Leighton Meester and Adam Brody forced to flee |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/alist-couples-home-destroyed-in-la--leighton-meester-and-adam-brody-forced-to-flee/news-story/9fa1567ed5ffe12ec4f63f43e746ac55 |website=news.com.au |access-date=January 9, 2025 |date=January 9, 2025 }}{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Celebrities among those who lost homes as devastating Los Angeles fires |url=https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-los-angeles-celebrities-1337e6e1f6d631aa931684ad185310cd |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=AP News }}{{cite news |last1=Cain |first1=Sian |title=Billy Crystal, Cary Elwes and Eugene Levy among celebrities to lose homes in California fires |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/jan/09/celebrities-lose-homes-destroyed-california-fires-billy-crystal-cary-elwes-eugene-levy |work=The Guardian |date=January 9, 2025}}{{cite news|last=Rahman|first=Abid|title=Mel Gibson's Malibu House Burned Down While He Was in Austin for Joe Rogan Interview: "My Place Looked Like Dresden"|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/mel-gibson-wildfires-malibu-house-burned-down-joe-rogan-1236106022/|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 9, 2025|archive-date=January 17, 2025|access-date=January 10, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117021327/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/mel-gibson-wildfires-malibu-house-burned-down-joe-rogan-1236106022/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2025 |title=Bella Hadid reveals heartbreaking pictures of childhood home on fire: 'This feeling is devastating' |url=https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/740511/bella-hadid-reveals-heartbreaking-pictures-of-childhood-home-on-fire/?viewas=amp |first=Maria |last=Sarabi |access-date=January 13, 2025 |website=HELLO! |language=en |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111194231/https://www.hellomagazine.com/celebrities/740511/bella-hadid-reveals-heartbreaking-pictures-of-childhood-home-on-fire/?viewas=amp |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Roush |first=Ty |title=L.A. Fires: These Celebrities—Barbara Corcoran, Eugene Levy And More—Had Homes Destroyed Along With Historic Landmarks |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/01/13/la-fires-these-celebrities-barbara-corcoran-eugene-levy-and-more-had-homes-destroyed-along-with-historic-landmarks/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |date=January 13, 2025 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115100129/https://www.forbes.com/sites/tylerroush/2025/01/13/la-fires-these-celebrities-barbara-corcoran-eugene-levy-and-more-had-homes-destroyed-along-with-historic-landmarks/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Renshaw |first=David |date=January 9, 2025 |title=These musicians were affected by the Los Angeles wildfires. Here's how you can help |url=https://www.thefader.com/2025/01/09/california-wildfires-fundraising-links |access-date=January 16, 2025 |website=The FADER |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116110814/https://www.thefader.com/2025/01/09/california-wildfires-fundraising-links |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-21 |title=Updated: 44 Celebrity Homes Impacted by the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires |url=https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/g63374014/celebrities-homes-california-fires-jan-2025/#:~:text=Tyra%20Banks&text=Banks%20was%20in%20Australia%20when,essential%20items%20survived%20the%20fires. |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=House Beautiful |language=en-US |archive-date=January 29, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250129085043/https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/g63374014/celebrities-homes-california-fires-jan-2025/#:~:text=Tyra%20Banks&text=Banks%20was%20in%20Australia%20when,essential%20items%20survived%20the%20fires. |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Celebrities Who Have Lost Homes in the Los Angeles Fires, and What They've Said |url=https://people.com/celebrities-who-lost-homes-or-evacuted-amid-california-fires-8771122#:~:text=12%20of%2053,Reilly |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=People.com |language=en |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109032542/https://people.com/celebrities-who-lost-homes-or-evacuted-amid-california-fires-8771122#:~:text=12%20of%2053,Reilly |url-status=live }} Madlib's home in Los Angeles was also reportedly burned down, with the producer losing "decades of music and equipment" in the process; a Donorbox crowdfunding campaign was subsequently started to help him and his family.{{Cite web |last=Renshaw |first=David |date=January 13, 2025 |title=Madlib has lost his home to the Los Angeles wildfires |url=https://www.thefader.com/2025/01/13/madlib-la-wildfires-donation-page |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=The Fader |language=en |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116121416/https://www.thefader.com/2025/01/13/madlib-la-wildfires-donation-page |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |last=Aniftos |first=Rania |date=2025-01-13 |title=Producer Madlib Loses Home & Music Equipment in Los Angeles Fires |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/producer-madlib-loses-home-los-angeles-fires-1235875046/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117231144/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/producer-madlib-loses-home-los-angeles-fires-1235875046/ |url-status=live }} John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Billy Corgan and Rage Against the Machine, and Audioslave drummer Brad Wilk were among those who were reportedly evacuated with their families.{{Cite web |last=Le Calvez |first=Tony |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Los Angeles Fire: Artist update and resources for assistance |url=https://theneedledrop.com/news/los-angeles-fire-artist-update-and-resources-for-assistance/ |access-date=January 21, 2025 |website=The Needle Drop |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124085105/https://theneedledrop.com/news/los-angeles-fire-artist-update-and-resources-for-assistance/ |url-status=live }} Former US swimmer Gary Hall Jr. said he lost his ten Olympic medals (including five gold medals) in the fire,{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/09/sport/gary-hall-jr-loses-olympic-medals-in-palisades-wildfire-spt/index.html|title='Hot embers were raining down': US swimmer Gary Hall Jr. says he lost 10 Olympic medals in Palisades wildfire|publisher=CNN|date=January 10, 2025|access-date=January 11, 2025|archive-date=January 10, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110195735/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/09/sport/gary-hall-jr-loses-olympic-medals-in-palisades-wildfire-spt/index.html|url-status=live}} Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick confirmed that he also lost his home,{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/lakers-coach-jj-redick-confirms-familys-home-was-lost-in-pacific-palisades-fire|title=Lakers coach JJ Redick confirms family's home was lost in Pacific Palisades fire|website=NBA.com|date=January 10, 2025|access-date=January 22, 2025}} while a mansion in Malibu owned by South Korean baseball player Chan Ho Park since 1999 was also reportedly destroyed.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mk.co.kr/en/world/11214758|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112151004/https://www.mk.co.kr/en/world/11214758|archive-date=January 12, 2025|work=Maeil Business Newspaper|last=Jin|first=Hyanghee|date=January 10, 2025|title=Former major leaguer Park Chan-ho (52)'s mansion was also reportedly burned down by the three-day Los Angeles (LA) wildfire.|location=South Korea|publisher=Maeil Business News Korea}} The historic home and ranch of humorist Will Rogers was also destroyed.{{Cite web |last=Campa |first=Andrew J. |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Will Rogers' ranch house and motel owned by William Randolph Hearst consumed by Palisades fire |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-08/will-rogers-ranch-house-hearst-motel-burned-down |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117000826/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-08/will-rogers-ranch-house-hearst-motel-burned-down |url-status=live }} A home once belonging to Ryan O'Neal also burned down.{{Cite web |last=Gayle |first=Latoya |date=January 13, 2025 |title=Ryan O'Neal's Malibu Home Destroyed in L.A. Fires, Says Daughter Tatum O'Neal: 'I Could Cry' |url=https://people.com/ryan-o-neal-malibu-home-destroyed-la-fires-tatum-o-neal-says-8773299 |access-date=January 23, 2025 |website=People.com |archive-date=January 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250123161532/https://people.com/ryan-o-neal-malibu-home-destroyed-la-fires-tatum-o-neal-says-8773299 |url-status=live }}
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|{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=right|frame-width=300|frame-height=400|from=January 2025 United States wildfires.map|frame-latitude=34.056|frame-longitude=-118.545|zoom=13|text=Affected area of Pacific Palisades (map data)}} |{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-align=center|frame-width=300|frame-height=400|from=January 2025 United States wildfires.map|frame-latitude=34.195|frame-longitude=-118.137|zoom=13|text=Affected area of Altadena (map data)}} |
= Economic impact =
According to JPMorgan estimates published on January 9, the insured losses from the fires were projected to exceed $20 billion, which would set a new record for wildfire-related insurance claims in US history. This figure would substantially surpass the previous record of $12.5 billion in insured damages set by the 2018 Camp Fire, as documented by Aon. A total economic loss of $50 billion was predicted by JPMorgan. JPMorgan noted that these figures could rise further due to the fires' continued spread and lack of containment.{{Cite web |last=Kimball |first=Spencer |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Los Angeles wildfires could be costliest blaze in U.S. history |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/09/los-angeles-wildfires-could-be-costliest-blaze-in-us-history-.html |access-date=January 10, 2025 |publisher=CNBC |archive-date=January 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121235452/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/09/los-angeles-wildfires-could-be-costliest-blaze-in-us-history-.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Revell |first=Eric |date=January 9, 2025 |title=California wildfires could cost insurers $20B, highest in state's history |url=https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/california-wildfires-could-cost-insurers-20b-highest-states-history |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=FOXBusiness |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119010510/https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/california-wildfires-could-cost-insurers-20b-highest-states-history |url-status=live }} It was estimated that European reinsurance companies will also be impacted due to financial losses from wildfires, including Swiss Re, Hannover Re, and Société Commerciale de Réassurance.{{Cite web |last=Lahiri |first=Indrabati |title=California wildfire costs set to impact European reinsurance giants |url=https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/01/13/california-wildfire-costs-set-to-impact-european-reinsurance-giants |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=euronews.com|date=January 13, 2025 }}
= Housing =
During the fires, LA-area landlords raised the cost of rent substantially by an average of 15–20%, with many rents almost doubling, causing many newly homeless to have difficulty finding somewhere to stay. This violated California price gouging laws, which prevented an increase of more than 10% during an emergency.{{Cite news |last=Kaye |first=Danielle |date=January 10, 2025 |title=California Fires Lead to Prices Hikes on Some L.A. Rentals |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/business/california-fires-rent-price-gouging.html |access-date=January 12, 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112002118/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/10/business/california-fires-rent-price-gouging.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2025 |title=Asking rents skyrocket as LA fires destroy homes |url=https://laist.com/news/housing-homelessness/los-angeles-palisades-fire-housing-rent-price-gouging-law-california-zillow-listing |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=LAist }}{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2025 |title=Los Angeles fire evacuees face price gouging |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250112-los-angeles-fire-evacuees-face-price-gouging |access-date=January 12, 2025 |publisher=France 24 |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112092534/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250112-los-angeles-fire-evacuees-face-price-gouging |url-status=live }} Some hotels offered discounted rates for those displaced, while others increased their rates substantially even for those who had already booked.{{Cite web |last=Khouri |first=Andrew |date=January 9, 2025 |title=What to know about temporary housing, rents, price gouging during firestorm |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-09/what-protections-to-displaced-angelenos-have-in-finding-new-housing |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111204003/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-09/what-protections-to-displaced-angelenos-have-in-finding-new-housing |url-status=live }} The destruction of a large number of homes is anticipated to further strain the housing supply in Southern California.{{cite web |last1=Kaye |first1=Danielle |last2=Dougherty |first2=Conor |title=Wildfires Will Deepen Housing Shortage in Los Angeles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/business/la-fires-housing-shortage.html |work=The New York Times |date=January 9, 2025 |access-date=14 January 2025}}
=Power outages=
By the night of January 7, nearly 50,000 customers suffered power outages, 28,300 under the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and 21,699 under Southern California Edison (SCE).{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Matthew |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Windstorm cause power outages for nearly 50,000 LA County residents |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/windstorm-cause-power-outages-for-nearly-50000-la-county-residents/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |publisher=CBS |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108230820/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/windstorm-cause-power-outages-for-nearly-50000-la-county-residents/ |url-status=live }} The number in the Los Angeles metropolitan area alone increased to over 200,000 by around 9:30 p.m. PST, with outages reported in Los Angeles, Glendale, Pasadena, and Burbank. SCE later stated that, at 4 p.m. PST on January 8, about 414,000 of its customers are without power and 454,000 customers are under a Public Safety Power Shutoff program watch.{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2025 |title=California power outages swell to 400,000 as fires multiply |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/californian-utility-socal-edison-shuts-power-over-114000-customers-due-wildfire-2025-01-08/ |access-date=January 12, 2025 |work=Reuters}} As of January 12, 2025, 35,000 customers were still left without electricity.{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2025 |title=California wildfires: Death toll rises to 16 as Palisades Fire expands east to Brentwood and Encino |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-rcna187240 |access-date=January 13, 2025 |publisher=NBC News |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113000317/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-rcna187240 |url-status=live }}
= Air quality and health =
File:8195001064568694401 2025 southern California wildfire smoke over Santa Monica beach 01.jpg, January 8, 2025]]
Winds blew wildfire smoke across Los Angeles, leading to several "very unhealthy" air quality index readings of over 200, with the PM2.5 of the Harrison ES station reaching 184.1 μg/m3, or 36.8 times the annual World Health Organization guideline value.{{Cite web |title=Harrison ES (4438) Air Quality Index (AQI) and Los Angeles Air Pollution |url=https://www.iqair.com/us/usa/california/los-angeles/harrison-es-4438 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250108090719/https://www.iqair.com/us/usa/california/los-angeles/harrison-es-4438 |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=IQAir }}{{Cite web |title=Los Angeles air quality map |url=https://www.iqair.com/us/air-quality-map/usa/california/los-angeles |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250108090553/https://www.iqair.com/us/air-quality-map/usa/california/los-angeles |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=IQAir }} Air quality degraded to 569 μg/m3 in the region, representing the most hazardous category and necessitating avoidance of all outdoor activity.{{Cite news |date=January 8, 2025 |title=2 dead in Los Angeles fires as severe winds fan flames |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2025/01/08/pacific-palisades-fire-california-wildfire-los-angeles/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} UCLA Health pulmonologist May-Lin Wilgus expected LA residents to suffer from burning eyes and irritation due to the concentrated smoke, and urged residents with underlying health conditions such as COPD and asthma to avoid all outdoor activity and to close all doors and windows while running air conditioning. Los Angeles City Council president Marqueece Harris-Dawson reported that visibility had fallen below one block in Southern Los Angeles, and urged residents to avoid driving when possible.
Additional monitoring data from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) recorded PM2.5 levels in hazardous ranges at multiple sites across Los Angeles County.{{cite web |title=Los Angeles County Annual PM25 Summary Data 2025 |url=https://www.arb.ca.gov/aqmis2/display.php?year=2025¶m=PM25&units=001&county_name=19-Los+Angeles&basin=--AIR+BASIN--&latitude=--PART+OF+STATE--&std15=&o3switch=new&hours=all&ptype=aqd&mon=&day=&report=ASRPT&statistic=DAVG&order=&btnsubmit=Update+Display |website=California Air Resources Board |access-date=27 February 2025}} The Los Angeles-North Main Street monitoring station registered a one-hour peak of 483.7 μg/m³, while daily averages at several sites, including Compton (51.7 μg/m³), North Hollywood (50.1 μg/m³), and Reseda (47.0 μg/m³), remained well above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) safety threshold of 35 μg/m³.{{cite web |last1=Olney |first1=Jennifer |title=Smoke levels reach hazardous highs across Los Angeles County following January wildfires |url=https://californiatoday.com/news/climate/smoke-levels-reach-hazardous-highs-across-los-angeles-county-following-january-wildfires/ |website=Californiatoday.com|date=January 22, 2025 }} These readings highlight both the acute pollution spikes during the fires and the prolonged air quality deterioration in the days that followed.
The United States Department of Agriculture and the Los Angeles Department of Public Health warned that the wildfires can render some food in the nearby area unsafe to be eaten due to the smoke fumes and other chemicals.{{Cite web |last=Ewing-Chow |first=Daphne |date=January 11, 2025 |title=Los Angeles Wildfire Air Quality Threatens Food Safety |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/daphneewingchow/2025/01/11/los-angeles-wildfire-air-quality-threatens-food-safety/ |access-date=January 13, 2025 |website=Forbes |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113021521/https://www.forbes.com/sites/daphneewingchow/2025/01/11/los-angeles-wildfire-air-quality-threatens-food-safety/ |url-status=live }} Carcinogens are common in smoke from urban fires and pose long-term health risks to those who inhale it, particularly firefighters without respiratory protection.{{cite web | last=Wittenberg | first=Ariel | title=Los Angeles Firefighters Risk Cancer from Urban Smoke | website=Scientific American | date=2025-01-13 | url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/los-angeles-firefighters-risk-cancer-from-urban-smoke/ | access-date=2025-01-14 | archive-date=January 14, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114182418/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/los-angeles-firefighters-risk-cancer-from-urban-smoke/ | url-status=live }}
Environmental Protection Agency air quality data indicated that millions of Los Angeles area residents experienced severe air quality deterioration, with conditions reaching the "Unhealthy" category on EPA scales and escalating to "Hazardous" levels near the fire zones. The combustion of urban structures was estimated to have released numerous harmful substances that are not accounted for in PM2.5 readings, including heavy metals such as lead or zinc. Co-founder and chief meteorologist of Weather Underground Jeff Masters predicted that up to thousands of individuals could die prematurely due to even short-term exposure to the wildfires' smoke.{{Cite journal |last1=Gould |first1=Carlos F. |last2=Heft-Neal |first2=Sam |last3=Johnson |first3=Mary |last4=Aguilera |first4=Juan |last5=Burke |first5=Marshall |last6=Nadeau |first6=Kari |date=2024-01-29 |title=Health Effects of Wildfire Smoke Exposure |journal=Annual Review of Medicine |language=en |volume=75 |issue=75 |pages=277–292 |doi=10.1146/annurev-med-052422-020909 |issn=0066-4219|doi-access=free |pmid=37738508 }}{{Cite web |last=Masters |first=Jeff |date=2025-01-16 |title=Indirect death toll from the L.A. fires may end up in the thousands |url=https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/01/indirect-death-toll-from-the-l-a-fires-may-end-up-in-the-thousands/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Yale Climate Connections |language=en-US |archive-date=January 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118150325/https://yaleclimateconnections.org/2025/01/indirect-death-toll-from-the-l-a-fires-may-end-up-in-the-thousands/ |url-status=live }} Based on a 2024 study on long-term wildfire smoke exposure in the US, he also predicted that smoke exposure could cause several long-term effects in Californians, including reproductive, cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, endocrine, and neurodevelopmental disorders.{{Cite journal |last1=Ma |first1=Yiqun |last2=Zang |first2=Emma |last3=Liu |first3=Yang |last4=Wei |first4=Jing |last5=Lu |first5=Yuan |last6=Krumholz |first6=Harlan M. |last7=Bell |first7=Michelle L. |last8=Chen |first8=Kai |date=October 2024 |title=Long-term exposure to wildland fire smoke PM 2.5 and mortality in the contiguous United States |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |language=en |volume=121 |issue=40 |pages=e2403960121 |doi=10.1073/pnas.2403960121 |issn=0027-8424 |pmc=11459178 |pmid=39316057}}
In February, CDC reported that a 110-fold increase in air lead levels during the 2025 LA fires was recorded. The built environment with painted surfaces, pipes, vehicles, plastics, electronic equipment, and buildings combusted, of which a large proportion had been built before 1978.{{Cite news |last1=Baliaka |first1=Haroula D. |last2=Ward |first2=Ryan X. |last3=Bahreini |first3=Roya |last4=Dillner |first4=Ann M. |last5=Russell |first5=Armistead G. |last6=Seinfeld |first6=John H. |last7=Flagan |first7=Richard C. |last8=Wennberg |first8=Paul O. |last9=Ng |first9=Nga L. |date=2025-02-20 |title=Notes from the Field: Elevated Atmospheric Lead Levels During the Los Angeles Urban Fires — California, January 2025 |url=http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/74/wr/mm7405a4.htm?s_cid=mm7405a4_w |access-date=2025-02-21 |work=MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report |pages=69–71 |language=en-us |volume=74 |issue=5 |doi=10.15585/mmwr.mm7405a4 |issn=0149-2195}}
= Wind damage =
Hundreds of trees were reported to have fallen due to strong wind gusts during the accompanying windstorm. Roughly ten semi-trucks were blown over on a section of Route 210 close to Fontana. Multiple flights at Hollywood Burbank Airport were delayed or canceled due to strong winds.
= School and other closures =
At least 19 Los Angeles school districts announced school closures.{{Cite web |title=LA County School Closures |url=https://www.lacoe.edu/news/2025-01-07-school-closures-due-to-fires-and-weather |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=lacoe.edu}} Pepperdine University closed its Calabasas and Malibu campuses. All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District were closed on January 9 as a result of fire conditions and the destruction of two elementary schools. Later in the day on January 9, District Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho informed the media that schools would be closed January 10 and "would not resume until conditions improve".{{cite web |title=Los Angeles wildfires: Updates from Jan. 9, 2025 |url=https://apnews.com/live/wildfire-los-angeles-palisades-eaton-updates#00000194-4df1-d297-a3df-5ff908860000 |work=Associated Press News |access-date=January 10, 2025 |date=January 9, 2025}}{{Cite web |last=Kiszla |first=Cameron |date=January 9, 2025 |title=LAUSD schools, offices closed again on Friday |work=KTLA |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/lausd-schools-offices-closed-again-on-friday/ |access-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110185629/https://ktla.com/news/local-news/lausd-schools-offices-closed-again-on-friday/ |url-status=live }} Las Virgenes Unified School District schools were closed January 8–10 due to dangerous conditions and some of their schools being in voluntary or mandatory evacuation zones.{{Cite web |title=x.com |url=https://x.com/LVUSD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527214557/https://x.com/LVUSD |archive-date=May 27, 2024 |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |url-status=live }} UCLA announced that all classes would be online through January 17.{{cite web |last1=Guzman-Lopez |first1=Adolfo |last2=Brenneman |first2=Ross |date=January 12, 2025 |title=UCLA goes remote in response to Palisades Fire evacuations |url=https://laist.com/news/education/ucla-remote-palisades-fire |website=LAist |access-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113020431/https://laist.com/news/education/ucla-remote-palisades-fire |url-status=live }}
On January 7, NASA closed the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in nearby La Cañada Flintridge, California, through at least January 13 due to high winds and the encroaching Eaton Fire, forcing the evacuation of all non-emergency personnel at the site.{{Cite web |author1=Mike Wall |date=January 8, 2025 |title=NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab closed due to raging LA fires |url=https://www.space.com/space-exploration/nasas-jet-propulsion-lab-closed-due-to-raging-la-fires |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=Space.com |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109172828/https://www.space.com/space-exploration/nasas-jet-propulsion-lab-closed-due-to-raging-la-fires |url-status=live }} The operations of the NASA Deep Space Network were relocated from the main facility to an off-site location and all employees were instructed to work from home.{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2025 |title=NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory evacuated due to LA wildfire |url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-jet-propulsion-laboratory-evacuated-due-to-la-wildfire/ |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=SpaceNews }}{{Cite web |last=Richter |first=Hannah |date=January 10, 2025 |title=NASA lab and historic observatory narrowly escape LA fire damage |url=https://www.science.org/content/article/nasa-lab-and-historic-observatory-narrowly-escape-la-fire-damage |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=science.org |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112030455/https://www.science.org/content/article/nasa-lab-and-historic-observatory-narrowly-escape-la-fire-damage |url-status=live }} As of January 10, JPL director Laurie Leshin reported there has been minor wind damage and no wildfire damage at the site, but over 150 staff had lost their homes.{{Cite tweet |number=1877033688539468061 |user=LaurieofMars |title=JPL is closed except for emergency personnel. No fire damage so far (some wind damage) but it is very close to the lab. Hundreds of JPLers have been evacuated from their homes & many have lost homes. Special thx to our emergency crews. Pls keep us in your thoughts & stay safe. |first=Laurie |last=Leshin |date=January 8, 2025 |access-date=January 10, 2025}}
Following the Eaton Fire, the entire Angeles National Forest, which accounts for 27 percent of the area of Los Angeles County, was closed from January 14 to 15, and later extended to the 19th, citing public safety and "critical fire danger".{{Cite web |title=Angeles National Forest Angeles National Forest extends closure thru Jan. 19, 2025 |url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/angeles/alerts-notices/?aid=92890 |access-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115062324/https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/angeles/alerts-notices/?aid=92890 |url-status=live }}
= Entertainment and sports industries =
Due to severe winds and fire danger, Amazon MGM Studios, TriStar Pictures, and Universal Pictures canceled the Hollywood premieres of Wolf Man, Unstoppable, and One of Them Days.{{cite news |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=Premiere Canceled For Keke Palmer & SZA Comedy 'One Of Them Days' Amid Fires |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/la-wildfires-keke-palmer-sza-one-of-them-days-1236253830/ |access-date=10 January 2025 |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 10, 2025}} Universal Studios closed its Universal Studios Hollywood theme park and Universal CityWalk. The 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards canceled a live announcement of its nominees, instead issuing the list in a press release. The 30th Annual Critics' Choice Awards, intended to be held on January 12 in Santa Monica, were postponed twice due to the fires. The ceremony was presented on February 7.{{Cite web |last=Stephan |first=Katcy |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Critics Choice Awards Postponed to January 26 Due to Southern California Fires |url=https://variety.com/2025/awards/news/critics-choice-awards-canceled-fire-1236269968/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=January 17, 2025 |title=Critics Choice Awards Sets New February Date After Being Postponed Due To L.A. Wildfires |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/critics-choice-awards-postponed-la-fires-1236257169/ |access-date=January 20, 2025 |website=Deadline Hollywood |language=en-US}} The deadline for Oscar nominations voting was extended to January 17 due to the fire. The nominations announcement, originally scheduled to be announced on January 17, was delayed to January 23.{{Cite web |last=Hammond |first=Pete |date=January 13, 2025 |title=Oscar Nominations Delayed & Voting Period Extended Again; Nominees Luncheon Canceled |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/oscar-nominations-2025-date-1236255434/ |access-date=January 13, 2025 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124103901/https://deadline.com/2025/01/oscar-nominations-2025-date-1236255434/ |url-status=live }} The premiere of the Under Ninja movie was cancelled due to the state of emergency,{{cite web|url=https://us.oricon-group.com/news/3059/|title=Kento Yamazaki's Under Ninja Premiere in Los Angeles Canceled Due to Wildfire State of Emergency|publisher=Oricon News|date=January 12, 2025|access-date=January 12, 2025|archive-date=January 12, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112020008/https://us.oricon-group.com/news/3059/|url-status=live}} as was that of The Last Showgirl.{{cite web |last1=Patten |first1=Dominic |title=Pamela Anderson's 'The Last Showgirl' L.A. Premiere Now Off Due To Wildfires & Hazardous Winds |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/pamela-andersons-the-last-showgirl-premiere-canceled-fires-winds-1236251474/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=January 8, 2025 |access-date=January 12, 2025}} Several Hollywood entertainment headquarters and production centers were shut down, postponing production of several shows and movies such as Grey's Anatomy, NCIS, NCIS: Origins, Hacks, Ted Lasso, Fallout, On Call,{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=January 13, 2024 |title='Grey's Anatomy' & 'Doctor Odyssey' Remain On Pause As Other LA-Based Series Return To Production After Wildfires-Related Shutdown- Update |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/fires-tv-series-production-shutdown-hacks-happys-place-suits-la-1236251237/ |access-date=January 13, 2024 |website=Deadline |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108171236/https://deadline.com/2025/01/fires-tv-series-production-shutdown-hacks-happys-place-suits-la-1236251237/ |url-status=live }} Doctor Odyssey, With Love, Meghan,{{Cite news |last=Petri |first=Alexandra E. |date=January 13, 2025 |title=Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Delays Premiere of Netflix Show Because of Wildfires |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/arts/television/meghan-markle-netflix-delay-la-fires.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250113003024/https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/arts/television/meghan-markle-netflix-delay-la-fires.html |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-14 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} Abbott Elementary, The Pitt, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, After Midnight, and The Price Is Right.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=January 8, 2025 |title='The Price Is Right', 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' & 'After Midnight' Pause Tapings Amid L.A. Fires |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/the-price-is-right-jimmy-kimmel-live-after-midnight-pause-tapings-la-fires-1236251406/ |access-date=January 13, 2025 |website=Deadline |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115012355/https://deadline.com/2025/01/the-price-is-right-jimmy-kimmel-live-after-midnight-pause-tapings-la-fires-1236251406/ |url-status=live }} The Filipino-organized 2025 Manila International Film Festival was postponed.{{cite news |last1=Evangelista |first1=Jessica Ann |title=MIFF postpones second edition due to California wildfires |url=https://entertainment.inquirer.net/593242/miff-postpones-second-edition-due-to-california-wildfires |access-date=15 January 2025 |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=15 January 2025 |language=en |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115063303/https://entertainment.inquirer.net/593242/miff-postpones-second-edition-due-to-california-wildfires |url-status=live }}
The National Hockey League postponed a January 8 game at the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles between the Los Angeles Kings and Calgary Flames due to the wildfires. The National Basketball Association postponed a January 9 game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets also at Crypto.com Arena{{cite web|title=NBA postpones Hornets vs. Lakers game set for Jan. 9|url=https://www.nba.com/news/nba-postpones-hornets-vs-lakers-jan-9-2025|publisher=National Basketball Association|date=January 9, 2025|access-date=January 9, 2025|archive-date=January 21, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121132638/https://www.nba.com/news/nba-postpones-hornets-vs-lakers-jan-9-2025|url-status=live}} as well as two January 11 games between the Lakers and San Antonio Spurs at Crypto.com Arena and between the Los Angeles Clippers and Hornets at Intuit Dome.{{cite web|title=NBA postpones Spurs-Lakers, Hornets-Clips in L.A. due to fires|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43365134/nba-postpones-spurs-lakers-hornets-clips-la-due-fires|publisher=ESPN|date=January 10, 2025|access-date=January 10, 2025|archive-date=January 14, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114231331/https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/43365134/nba-postpones-spurs-lakers-hornets-clips-la-due-fires|url-status=live}} The National Football League moved the January 13 playoff game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings from SoFi Stadium to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.{{cite web|url=https://media.nfl.com/news-and-releases/corporate-communications/vikings-rams-wild-card-game-moved-to-arizona|publisher=National Football League|date=January 9, 2025|access-date=January 9, 2025|title=Vikings-Rams Wild Card Game Moved to Arizona|archive-date=January 14, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114131205/https://media.nfl.com/news-and-releases/corporate-communications/vikings-rams-wild-card-game-moved-to-arizona|url-status=live}} The United States women's national soccer team moved their training camp from Dignity Health Sports Park to Florida Blue Training Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6053433/2025/01/10/uswnt-fires-florida-los-angeles/ | title=Deadly fires force USWNT to move training camps from Los Angeles to Florida | work=The Athletic | date=2025-01-10 | archive-date=January 14, 2025 | access-date=January 14, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114110102/https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6053433/2025/01/10/uswnt-fires-florida-los-angeles/ | url-status=live }} Santa Anita Park postponed races originally scheduled for January 10 to January 16 due to poor air quality caused by the wildfires. The track management also announced that it would offer to pay for relocating horses if the owners wish to move them due to the situation.{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Wildfires Force Santa Anita to Postpone Friday Card |url=https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/282047/wildfires-force-santa-anita-to-postpone-friday-card |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=bloodhorse.com}}{{Cite web |last=Voss |first=Natalie |date=January 9, 2025 |title='No Direct Threat' To Santa Anita From Ongoing Eaton Fire; Training Wednesday Cancelled |url=https://paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/no-direct-threat-to-santa-anita-from-ongoing-eaton-fire-training-wednesday-cancelled |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=Paulick Report |archive-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110185630/https://paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/no-direct-threat-to-santa-anita-from-ongoing-eaton-fire-training-wednesday-cancelled |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Santa Anita Park in Arcadia cancels training amid Eaton fire worries |url=https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2025/01/08/santa-anita-park-in-arcadia-cancels-training-amid-eaton-fire-worries/ |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=Pasadena Star News }} The PGA Tour relocated the Genesis Invitational from Riviera Country Club, which was not damaged in the Palisades Fire despite its proximity, to Torrey Pines Golf Course, retaining the dates of February 13–16.{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2025 |title=The Genesis Invitational 2025 to be relocated to Torrey Pines Golf Course |url=https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2025/01/24/2025-genesis-invitational-to-be-relocated-to-torrey-pines-golf-course-in-san-diego |access-date=February 6, 2025 |website=PGATour.com |archive-date=February 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210164031/https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/latest/2025/01/24/2025-genesis-invitational-to-be-relocated-to-torrey-pines-golf-course-in-san-diego |url-status=live }}
The Weeknd postponed the release of his sixth album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, which has as its lead single the song "Dancing in the Flames",{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/news-not-lead-single-dancing-flames-internet-reacts-the-weeknd-postpones-hurry-up-tomorrow-release-due-la-fires|title="Not the lead single being dancing in the flames"— Internet reacts as The Weeknd postpones 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' release due to LA fires|first=Nirali|last=Sheth|date=January 14, 2025|website=sportskeeda.com|access-date=January 16, 2025|archive-date=January 15, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115202310/https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/news-not-lead-single-dancing-flames-internet-reacts-the-weeknd-postpones-hurry-up-tomorrow-release-due-la-fires|url-status=live}} and canceled an accompanying concert at the Rose Bowl out of "respect and concern" for the residents of Los Angeles County.{{Cite news |last=Snapes |first=Laura |date=January 14, 2025 |title=The Weeknd postpones new album 'out of respect and concern' for LA residents |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jan/14/the-weeknd-postpones-new-album-los-angeles-wildfires-beyonce-grammys |access-date=January 14, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Beyoncé postponed a major announcement that was set for January 14, 2025, and donated $2.5 million to wildfire relief efforts through her non-profit organization, BeyGood.{{Cite web |last=Rahman |first=Abid |date=January 14, 2025 |title=Beyoncé Postpones Jan. 14th Announcement Due to L.A. Fires |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/local-news/beyonce-jan-14th-announcement-delay-wilfires-1236108326/ |access-date=January 14, 2025 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114090849/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/local-news/beyonce-jan-14th-announcement-delay-wilfires-1236108326/ |url-status=live }} Nine Inch Nails postponed official announcements regarding their Peel it Back Tour for 2025 out of respect for the situation.{{Cite magazine |last1=Jenke |first1=Tyler |last2=Lynch |first2=Jessica |date=January 14, 2025 |title=Nine Inch Nails Confirm Tour, Delay Details Due to LA Wildfires |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nine-inch-nails-appear-readying-2025-world-tour-1235875438/ |access-date=January 14, 2025 |magazine=Billboard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114133216/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nine-inch-nails-appear-readying-2025-world-tour-1235875438/ |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |url-status=live }} Alessia Cara substituted the release of the single "Fire" from her upcoming album, Love & Hyperbole, originally due for release on January 17, 2025, with a different song due to the wildfires.{{Cite tweet |number=1878877130773397776|user=alessiacara |title=actually guys...no :( slight change of plans. for obvious reasons & out of respect it doesn't feel right to put it out at the moment. But you're gonna hear another song from the album instead that I love so much (soon)❣️❣️ Hope you understand. I'm sorry. love you xx|quote=actually guys...no :( slight change of plans. for obvious reasons & out of respect it doesn't feel right to put it out at the moment. But you're gonna hear another song from the album instead|first=Alessia |last=Caracciolo|author-link=Alessia Cara |date=January 13, 2025|access-date=January 13, 2025}}{{Cite tweet|number=1880699564954673278|user=alessiacara|last=Caracciolo|first=Alessia|author-link=Alessia Cara|date=January 18, 2025|access-date=January 19, 2025|quote='Slow Motion', the next song from Love & Hyperbole, out January 24th|title='Slow Motion', the next song from Love & Hyperbole, out January 24th❣️ chapter 2 part 2.}}
= Transportation =
Los Angeles County Supervisor and LA Metro Board Chair Janice Hahn authorized the suspension of fare collection on January 8 because of intermittent power outages that made it difficult for users to buy and load fare cards.{{Cite web |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Wildfires force detours, service suspensions on LA Metro lines |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2025/01/08/wildfires-force-detours-service-suspensions-on-la-metro-lines/ |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=Daily News |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112053201/https://www.dailynews.com/2025/01/08/wildfires-force-detours-service-suspensions-on-la-metro-lines/ |url-status=live }} The suspension was later extended further "while the wildfire crisis continues".{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2025 |title=Metro extends suspension of bus, rail fares through Sunday |url=https://2urbangirls.com/2025/01/metro-extends-suspension-of-bus-rail-fares-through-sunday/ |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=2UrbanGirls |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112053206/https://2urbangirls.com/2025/01/metro-extends-suspension-of-bus-rail-fares-through-sunday/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-13 |title=Metro Extends Fare Suspensions |url=https://mynewsla.com/government/2025/01/13/metro-extends-fare-suspensions-for-bus-and-rail-service/ |access-date=2025-01-13 |website=MyNewsLA.com/City News Service |language=en-US |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113190215/https://mynewsla.com/government/2025/01/13/metro-extends-fare-suspensions-for-bus-and-rail-service/ |url-status=live }} Some Los Angeles bus lines were suspended while some were detoured as a result of the wind and wildfire damage to the city. The Los Angeles International Airport remained operational throughout the wildfires.{{Cite web |last=Neath |first=Amelia |date=2025-01-16 |title=LA fires: Is it safe to travel to California and is LAX closed? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/los-angeles-travel-safe-advisory-flights-lax-airport-b2680776.html |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=The Independent |language=en}} Though several airlines have waived change fees for flights to LA and Orange County.{{Cite web |last=Josephs |first=Leslie |date=2025-01-10 |title=Airlines extend travel waivers due to LA wildfires |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/10/los-angeles-wildfires-airlines-travel-waivers.html |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130083103/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/01/10/los-angeles-wildfires-airlines-travel-waivers.html |url-status=live }} Some flights to Burbank were also diverted.{{Cite web |last=Keane |first=Isabel |date=2025-01-08 |title=Palisades wildfires force airplanes to divert |url=https://nypost.com/2025/01/08/us-news/palisades-wildfires-force-airplanes-to-divert/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |language=en-US |archive-date=January 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250130083103/https://nypost.com/2025/01/08/us-news/palisades-wildfires-force-airplanes-to-divert/ |url-status=live }} As of 10:45 a.m. PST on January 8, FlightAware indicated that around 18% of flights in Burbank were canceled and 11% were delayed.{{Cite web |last=Heuer |first=Mike |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Airports serving L.A. affected by southern California fires, heavy winds |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/01/08/southern-california-airports-attractions-closures/7691736367613/ |access-date=2025-01-30 |website=UPI |language=en}}
= Water supply =
Although the three water tanks in the Pacific Palisades area had been filled to their capacity of about {{convert|1|e6USgal|m3}} each, those supplies were exhausted by the early morning of January 8.{{cite news |last1=Mason |first1=Melanie |last2=Nieves |first2=Alex |title=Wildfire response threatens to end Karen Bass' extended honeymoon |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/08/wildfire-threatens-karen-bass-extended-honeymoon-00197228 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |work=Politico |date=January 8, 2025 |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109062244/https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/08/wildfire-threatens-karen-bass-extended-honeymoon-00197228 |url-status=live }} Dozens of hydrants in the Pacific Palisades were reported by firefighting personnel to have little to no water flow during initial efforts to control the Palisades Fire. The chief executive officer of the LADWP, Janisse Quiñones, reported that all fire hydrants in the area "went dry" by around 3 a.m. PST on January 8. The emptying of water tanks worsened the lack of pressure in the city's trunk lines to transport water to higher areas, with firefighters being unable to reach pump stations to aid transport due to the fire spreading out of control. Additionally, the Santa Ynez Reservoir, which has a capacity of {{convert|117|e6USgal|m3}}, had been emptied for repairs in February 2024; had it been available, the water pressure may have lasted for longer.{{cite news | last=Hamilton | first=Matt | title=State to probe why Pacific Palisades reservoir was offline, empty when firestorm exploded | newspaper=Los Angeles Times | date=2025-01-10 | url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-10/as-flames-raged-in-palisades-a-key-reservoir-nearby-was-offline | access-date=2025-01-17 | archive-date=January 24, 2025 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124122647/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-10/as-flames-raged-in-palisades-a-key-reservoir-nearby-was-offline | url-status=live }}
The department stated that high winds made it impossible to fight the fire from the air, putting inordinate pressure on the fire hydrant system. Quiñones reported that the response to the fires caused "tremendous demand on our [water] system", with "the public water system faced four times its usual demand".{{cite news|author1=Peterson, Brittany|author2=Phillis, Michael|date=January 8, 2025|title=Fire hydrants ran dry in southern California just when they were needed most|work=AP News|url=https://apnews.com/article/wildfire-california-climate-603512236222f82c77901db1039e959f}} Supplies for firefighting were "being emptied three times in less than 24 hours". The Fire Department was forced to add {{convert|75|cuft|l}} per second on its water lines in order to maintain enough water pressure. Firefighters resorted to delegating construction personnel to transport water tanks to areas requiring them. LA County Public Works director Mark Pestrella requested that evacuating residents turn off their water and gas lines so more water could go to firefighting efforts. It was reported that firefighters had begun using pools for water.{{Cite web |title=LA fires latest updates: Wildfire sweeps through Hollywood Hills and threatens landmarks as chaos grips Los Angeles |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5y81zyp1ext?page=2 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=BBC News |archive-date=January 8, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250108170652/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5y81zyp1ext?page=2 |url-status=live }}
The Pasadena Water and Power department released a "Water Alert" on January 8 due to debris and elevated turbidity in the water supply to not drink the water untreated in the area and to not drink tap water.{{Cite web |last=Hylton |first=Chelsea |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Alerts issued for unsafe water in Southern California areas impacted by fires |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/water-alerts-southern-california-fires-unsafe-water-quality/ |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=CBS Los Angeles |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112020007/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/water-alerts-southern-california-fires-unsafe-water-quality/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Water Alert: Do-Not-Drink Water Notification |url=https://pwp.cityofpasadena.net/eaton-fire-2025-unsafe-water-alert/ |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=Pasadena Water and Power }} The LADWP issued boil-water notices in multiple areas of the Pacific Palisades on the same day, including for the 90272 and 90402 ZIP Code areas and their adjacent areas.{{Cite web |last=Watson |first=Shyla |date=January 9, 2025 |title=L.A. Residents Are Being Told to Boil Water 'Until Further Notice' Due to the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Fires |url=https://people.com/l-a-residents-are-being-told-to-boil-water-until-further-notice-due-to-the-pacific-palisades-and-eaton-fires-8772271 |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=People |archive-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110070312/https://people.com/l-a-residents-are-being-told-to-boil-water-until-further-notice-due-to-the-pacific-palisades-and-eaton-fires-8772271 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Rodriguez |first=Matthew |date=January 11, 2025 |title=Fire evacuation area residents advised to use bottled water and avoid tap |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/fire-evacuation-area-residents-advised-to-use-bottled-water-and-avoid-tap/ |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=CBS Los Angeles |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111225835/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/fire-evacuation-area-residents-advised-to-use-bottled-water-and-avoid-tap/ |url-status=live }} They said that benzene and other volatile organic compounds have the potential to enter the local water system. A County Public Works director, Mark Pestrella, reported "significant damage" to Los Angeles county's sewer systems in addition to its power and transportation systems, each due to massive amounts of debris and thousands of felled trees caused by the fires and corresponding windstorm.{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2025 |title=L.A. County suffered 'significant' damage to sewer, power, and transportation systems |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-deadly-blazes-spread-hollywood-hills-rcna186927/rcrd67221?canonicalCard=true |access-date=January 10, 2025 |publisher=NBC News |archive-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110033123/https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-deadly-blazes-spread-hollywood-hills-rcna186927/rcrd67221?canonicalCard=true |url-status=live }}
Various sources, such as Fox News, Turning Point USA, and RT, falsely attributed the water shortage to the destruction of 4 hydroelectric dams along the Klamath River in 2023/24.{{cite news| first1=Peter| last1=Gattuso| title=No, Dam Removal Is Not Responsible for Los Angeles Water Shortages| url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/no-dam-removal-not-responsible-214233271.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9hcHAuY29tbWVudHNwbHVnaW4uY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABC_UrqKHPgD0e9YhtoH5wHgbHkzsc2NdzIrM0lFG3dmUnf4R6o8kkLqtGo7NE6L6TdtC_AVS_Qf1d118bPTsNvXmGH_HoUgAGSKdGu86brBy4Gfg2b4NwbBmk1j80eAzKShROmxhzIM7p2T8ecZ5gYp2BQQmsc03XTyBk_vkPgm| website=Yahoo News| date=10 January 2025| access-date=15 January 2025| archive-date=18 January 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118101913/https://www.yahoo.com/news/no-dam-removal-not-responsible-214233271.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9hcHAuY29tbWVudHNwbHVnaW4uY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAABC_UrqKHPgD0e9YhtoH5wHgbHkzsc2NdzIrM0lFG3dmUnf4R6o8kkLqtGo7NE6L6TdtC_AVS_Qf1d118bPTsNvXmGH_HoUgAGSKdGu86brBy4Gfg2b4NwbBmk1j80eAzKShROmxhzIM7p2T8ecZ5gYp2BQQmsc03XTyBk_vkPgm&guccounter=2
| url-status=live}}{{cite news| title=Fox News Host Faults 'The Native Americans' for California Fires| url=https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/fox-news-host-faults-the-native-americans-for-california-fires| website=Native News Online| date=12 January 2025| access-date=14 January 2025| archive-date=18 January 2025| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118102152/https://nativenewsonline.net/currents/fox-news-host-faults-the-native-americans-for-california-fires| url-status=live}} Fox News host Jesse Watters linked the crises to the removal of the dams, while RT said their dismantling "is now being blamed for the shortage of water available to fight LA fires". President-elect Donald Trump posted on social media that Governor Newsom had "refused to sign the water restoration declaration" that would have brought water from the North to the South of California. However, Southern California has never received water from those dams, which are over 500 miles north of Los Angeles County, with claims that the removal of the dams affected the South's supply being incorrect as the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California does not take water from the Klamath River area.
= Looting =
There have been several reports of individuals looting evacuated houses amidst the chaos. As of January 13, at least 29 people had been arrested for looting.{{Cite web |last=Matza |first=Max |date=January 13, 2025 |title=LA fires death toll rises to 24 as high winds expected |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgy0pyvglpo |access-date=January 13, 2025 |publisher=BBC |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113000253/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgy0pyvglpo |url-status=live }} Two people were caught posing as firefighters in order to steal from evacuees.{{Cite web |title=LA fires latest: Trump 'threatening' firefighters with warning he will withhold aid, California governor claims |url=https://news.sky.com/story/la-fires-latest-fire-deaths-rise-to-16-as-weather-conditions-to-worsen-some-looters-dressing-as-firefighters-13285299 |access-date=January 12, 2025 |publisher=Sky News |language=en |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112080646/https://news.sky.com/story/la-fires-latest-fire-deaths-rise-to-16-as-weather-conditions-to-worsen-some-looters-dressing-as-firefighters-13285299 |url-status=live }} Twenty five people were arrested in the area surrounding the Eaton Fire evacuation zone; another four were arrested in the Palisades region.{{Cite web |last=Wallace |first=Danielle |date=January 12, 2025 |title=Los Angeles burglary suspect disguised as firefighter, as looting arrests reach about 29 people: sheriff |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/los-angeles-burglary-suspect-disguised-firefighter-looting-arrests-reach-about-29-people-sheriff |access-date=January 13, 2025 |publisher=Fox News |language=en-US |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112235958/https://www.foxnews.com/us/los-angeles-burglary-suspect-disguised-firefighter-looting-arrests-reach-about-29-people-sheriff |url-status=live }} Officials condemned the looting including Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who elaborated that the looters were "targeting vulnerable communities".{{Cite web |author=Keller |first=Erin |date=January 8, 2025 |title=California looters break into homes as Pacific Palisades wildfire burns |url=https://www.newsweek.com/pacific-palisades-fire-california-looters-burglary-arrest-2011911 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=Newsweek |archive-date=January 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250109084221/https://www.newsweek.com/pacific-palisades-fire-california-looters-burglary-arrest-2011911 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2025 |title=20 people have been arrested for looting, L.A. officials say |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-deadly-blazes-spread-hollywood-hills-rcna186927/rcrd67256?canonicalCard=true |access-date=January 10, 2025 |publisher=NBC News |archive-date=January 22, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122081332/https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-deadly-blazes-spread-hollywood-hills-rcna186927/rcrd67256?canonicalCard=true |url-status=live }} National Guard troops were deployed to some burn areas to provide protection against looting.{{Cite web |last1=Toohey |first1=Grace |last2=Lin |first2=Summer |date=January 10, 2025 |title=National Guard arrives in L.A., curfews planned to crack down on looting in fire-ravaged areas |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-09/curfew-national-guard-crackdown-on-looting-la-fires |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110211922/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-09/curfew-national-guard-crackdown-on-looting-la-fires |url-status=live }} On January 18, a man and woman were arrested for trespassing in the Palisades Fire zone in a fire engine purchased at auction in Oregon and for posing as firefighters. The male suspect reportedly has prior arrests for arson and criminal mischief.{{Cite web |last=Dubose |first=Josh |date=January 19, 2025 |title=Suspects allegedly posing as firefighters in Palisades had fake fire engine |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/suspects-allegedly-posing-as-firefighters-in-palisades-had-fake-fire-engine/ |access-date=January 19, 2025 |publisher=KTLA.com}} Several people have also been accused of arson.{{Cite web |last=Schlepp |first=Travis |date=2025-01-17 |title=9 more suspects charged with arson, looting crimes in connection with L.A. fires |url=https://ktla.com/news/california/wildfires/8-more-suspects-charged-with-arson-looting-crimes-in-connection-with-l-a-fires/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=KTLA |language=en-US |archive-date=February 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202085617/https://ktla.com/news/california/wildfires/8-more-suspects-charged-with-arson-looting-crimes-in-connection-with-l-a-fires/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=January 24, 2025 |title=District Attorney Hochman Announces Additional Charges in Wildfire-Related Crimes, Bringing Total to 25 Individuals Charged |url=https://da.lacounty.gov/media/news/district-attorney-hochman-announces-additional-charges-wildfire-related-crimes-bringing |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=da.lacounty.gov |archive-date=February 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202085618/https://da.lacounty.gov/media/news/district-attorney-hochman-announces-additional-charges-wildfire-related-crimes-bringing |url-status=live }}
Response
Los Angeles County Fire Department urgently called for firefighters from Ventura, Orange, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties to aid in firefighting efforts. Chief Anthony Marrone said the county's 29 fire departments lacked enough personnel to combat the wildfires. Intensifying wind gusts at 7 p.m. PST on January 7 resulted in the mass grounding of firefighting aircraft. Sudden changes in wind direction put different areas at risk and complicated firefighting. Some wealthy citizens, including high-net-worth individuals and celebrities, were able to hire private-sector firefighters to prevent damage to their property.{{Cite web |author=Petrow-Cohen, Caroline |date=January 11, 2025 |title=As wildfires rage, private firefighters join the fight for the fortunate few |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-01-11/southern-california-wildfires-private-firefighters-jump-into-action |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112054730/https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-01-11/southern-california-wildfires-private-firefighters-jump-into-action |url-status=live }} At midday on January 8, California Governor Gavin Newsom deployed the California National Guard.{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2025 |title=California fires live: Two dead as Palisades and Eaton wildfires rage in LA |url=https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/california-los-angeles-fire-pacific-palidades-la-evacuation-latest-news-wctv8656d |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=thetimes.com |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124150648/https://www.thetimes.com/world/us-world/article/california-los-angeles-fire-pacific-palidades-la-evacuation-latest-news-wctv8656d |url-status=live }} On January 8, Cal EOS reported that more than 7,500 emergency personnel were deployed to fight the fires.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-08 |title=More than 7,500 firefighting, emergency personnel deployed to fight unprecedented Los Angeles fires |url=https://news.caloes.ca.gov/more-than-7500-firefighting-emergency-personnel-deployed-to-fight-unprecedented-los-angeles-fires/ |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=Cal OES News |language=en |archive-date=January 19, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119125937/https://news.caloes.ca.gov/more-than-7500-firefighting-emergency-personnel-deployed-to-fight-unprecedented-los-angeles-fires/ |url-status=live }}
On January 7, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) deployed 783 incarcerated firefighters to assist in fighting the blazes.{{Cite news |last=Levin |first=Sam |date=January 9, 2025 |title='Essential': nearly 400 incarcerated firefighters deployed as LA battles wildfires |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/08/la-wildfires-incarcerated-firefighters |access-date=January 9, 2025 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} Later, on January 11, the figure had risen to 939 incarcerated firefighters.{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2025 |title=Hundreds of California prison inmates fight wildfires - and stigma |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3rwdjwglx2o.amp |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=BBC News |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112114622/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3rwdjwglx2o.amp |url-status=live }} These individuals were trained through the California Conservation Camp Program and worked alongside professional firefighters. On January 10, The Pentagon, the headquarter of the US Department of Defense, deployed 500 marines from the Travis Air Force Base to assist with firefighting efforts in Los Angeles. While the fires were still burning, incoming President Trump redirected these units to the Southern Border to assist with deportation flights.{{Cite news |date=2025-01-25 |title=Congressman presses Trump administration on use of Bay Area-based airmen at U.S.-Mexico border |url=https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/bay-area-troops-20055577.php |access-date=2025-01-25 |newspaper=SF Chronicle |language=en-US}}
Evacuation shelters for animals were also designated: the Rose Bowl in Pasadena for large animals, and the Pasadena Humane Society for small ones.
File:FBI seeks information about the Palisades drone collision (photo 3).jpg
A DJI Mini drone illegally operating in restricted airspace collided with a Canadair CL-415 "Super Scooper" firefighting aircraft working to contain the Palisades Fire, damaging the aircraft and forcing it to land on January 9.{{Cite news |last1=Nowell |first1=Cecilia |last2=Chao-Fong |first2=Léonie |last3=Betts |first3=Anna |last4=Belam |first4=Martin |last5=Lamb |first5=Kate |last6=Rachwani |first6=Mostafa |last7=Chao-Fong |first7=Léonie |last8=Rachwani |first8=Mostafa |last9=Nowell |first9=Cecilia |date=January 10, 2025 |title=California fires live updates: at least six deaths as Los Angeles wildfires rage and crews battle new fire |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/jan/08/california-los-angeles-fires-live-updates?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with:block-678072a48f08069d21781765#block-678072a48f08069d21781765 |access-date=January 10, 2025 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Ishveena |date=2025-01-13 |title=Update: FBI unveils DJI drone that hit LA firefighting plane |url=https://dronedj.com/2025/01/13/dji-mini-drone-la-fire/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115012435/https://dronedj.com/2025/01/13/dji-mini-drone-la-fire/ |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-16 |work=DroneDJ |language=en-US |url-status=live }} LA County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone stated that the drone "put a hole in the wing" of the aircraft and put it out of commission.{{Cite web |last1=Castleman |first1=Terry |last2=Toohey |first2=Grace |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Drone collides with firefighting aircraft over Palisades fire, FAA says |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-09/drone-collides-with-firefighting-aircraft-over-palisades-fire-faa-says |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110012455/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-09/drone-collides-with-firefighting-aircraft-over-palisades-fire-faa-says |url-status=live }} The collision was reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by fire officials, resulting in the FAA pursuing an investigation and considering "swift enforcement action" against the drone operator(s). The United States Forest Service Chief Randy Moore reported that multiple private drones flying in unauthorized airspace were interfering with firefighting efforts and causing danger to the firefighting crew.{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Flying drones causing safety concerns for firefighting aircraft |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-deadly-blazes-spread-hollywood-hills-rcna186927/rcrd67307?canonicalCard=true |access-date=January 10, 2025 |publisher=NBC News |archive-date=January 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250110033034/https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-deadly-blazes-spread-hollywood-hills-rcna186927/rcrd67307?canonicalCard=true |url-status=live }} The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) initiated a search for the responsible drone operator, and requested that the public provide possible leads, eventually arresting the operator of the drone, Peter Tripp Akemann, 56 of Culver City, California, which he pled guilty to.{{Cite web |last1=Castleman |first1=Terry |last2=Toohey |first2=Grace |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Drone collision grounds firefighting aircraft battling L.A. fire |url=https://www.police1.com/drones/drone-collision-grounds-firefighting-aircraft-battling-l-a-fire |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=Police1 |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111223024/https://www.police1.com/drones/drone-collision-grounds-firefighting-aircraft-battling-l-a-fire |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Muntean |first1=Pete |last2=McCleary |first2=Kelly |last3=Legge |first3=James |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Canadian 'Super Scooper' plane grounded after hitting civilian drone over Los Angeles wildfires |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/10/us/super-scooper-drone-collision-la-fire-canada-hnk-intl/index.html |access-date=January 12, 2025 |publisher=CNN |archive-date=February 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202195134/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/10/us/super-scooper-drone-collision-la-fire-canada-hnk-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Lloyd • • |first=Jonathan |date=2025-01-31 |title=Man agrees to plead guilty in drone collision with Super Scooper over Palisades Fire |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california-wildfires/drone-collision-super-scooper-palisades-fire/3620389/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |website=NBC Los Angeles |language=en-US |archive-date=February 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250203022056/https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/california-wildfires/drone-collision-super-scooper-palisades-fire/3620389/ |url-status=live }}
After several looting arrests, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department began work on implementing a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew, intended to begin the night of January 9.{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Officials look to implement curfew to prevent looting |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-deadly-blazes-spread-hollywood-hills-rcna186927/rcrd67315?canonicalCard=true |access-date=January 10, 2025 |publisher=NBC News |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111064320/https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-deadly-blazes-spread-hollywood-hills-rcna186927/rcrd67315?canonicalCard=true |url-status=live }} The punishment for looting during the event can be a $1,000 fine and even potential jail time.{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Crackdown on looting in burnt-out areas as fires continue to burn in LA |url=https://news.sky.com/story/crackdown-on-looting-in-burnt-out-areas-as-fires-continue-to-burn-in-la-13286712 |access-date=January 11, 2025 |publisher=Sky News |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112031301/https://news.sky.com/story/crackdown-on-looting-in-burnt-out-areas-as-fires-continue-to-burn-in-la-13286712 |url-status=live }} The curfew was then put in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the Pacific Palisades and Eaton fire areas. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said that the curfew has been established to prevent looting in the mandatory evacuated areas, stating that "we do not want anyone taking advantage of our residents that have already been victimized".{{Cite web |last=Sharp |first=Julie |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Curfews for Palisades and Eaton fire zones now in effect from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/curfew-palisades-eaton-fires-los-angeles-county/ |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=CBS Los Angeles |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111050746/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/curfew-palisades-eaton-fires-los-angeles-county/ |url-status=live }} In total, more than 54 people were arrested in the areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires, with half being charged with arson.{{Cite web |last=Chidbachian |first=Alexi |date=February 6, 2025 |title=At least 27 people charged with arson in recent cases, LA DA says|url=https://www.foxla.com/news/la-fires-arson-arrests-27-charged|access-date=February 7, 2025 |website=KTTV-TV|archive-date=February 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207225331/https://www.foxla.com/news/la-fires-arson-arrests-27-charged|url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Hylton |first=Chelsea|date=January 15, 2025 |title=At least 27 people charged with arson in recent cases, LA DA says|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/lapd-arrests-arson-outside-wildfire-zones-southern-california/|access-date=January 16, 2025 |website=KCAL-TV|archive-date=January 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116011208/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/lapd-arrests-arson-outside-wildfire-zones-southern-california/|url-status=live }}
Los Angeles County released a website containing a searchable database of addresses within the perimeters of the Palisades and Eaton Fires with information on whether they are destroyed or damaged.{{Cite news |last1=Graff |first1=Amy |last2=Wolfe |first2=Jonathan |last3=Bogel-Burroughs |first3=Nicholas |last4=Ruberg |first4=Sara |date=January 12, 2025 |title=L.A. Fires Live Updates: Firefighters Rush to Contain Blazes Ahead of Stronger Winds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/12/us/los-angeles-fires-california |access-date=January 13, 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112122214/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/12/us/los-angeles-fires-california |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=LA County Recovers |url=https://recovery.lacounty.gov/ |access-date=January 13, 2025 |website=recovery.lacounty.gov |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112232817/https://recovery.lacounty.gov/ |url-status=live }} An executive order was signed by the Mayor of Los Angeles Karen Bass to rebuild the city affected by the wildfires; this includes the availability of 1,200 homes for displaced individuals.{{Cite web |last1=Baldwin |first1=Sarah Lynch |last2=Czachor |first2=Emily Mae |last3=Freiman |first3=Jordan |last4=Dakss |first4=Brian |date=2025-01-15 |title=L.A. Fires Live Updates: "Extremely critical fire weather" forecast for Southern California |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/california-fires-winds-updates/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |publisher=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115104535/https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/california-fires-winds-updates/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-15 |title=LA Mayor Karen Bass aims to streamline rebuilding after wildfires with executive order |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2025/01/14/la-mayor-karen-bass-aims-to-streamline-rebuilding-after-wildfires-with-executive-order/ |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=Daily News |language=en-US |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115104523/https://www.dailynews.com/2025/01/14/la-mayor-karen-bass-aims-to-streamline-rebuilding-after-wildfires-with-executive-order/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Sami |first=Isabel |title=L.A. Mayor Karen Bass expedites wildfire rebuilding with executive order |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2025/01/14/mayor-bass-signs-executive-order-to-expedite.html |access-date=2025-01-15 |website=The Business Journals |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115011843/https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2025/01/14/mayor-bass-signs-executive-order-to-expedite.html |url-status=live }} On January 23, US response agency FEMA has announced that more than $35 million has been distributed by them to people in LA.{{Cite web |last=Bass |first=Karen |date=2025-01-23 |title=Thursday Evening Update: L.A. City Continues to Prepare Fire-Affected Areas for Potential Impacts from Rain |url=https://mayor.lacity.gov/news/thursday-evening-update-la-city-continues-prepare-fire-affected-areas-potential-impacts-rain |access-date=2025-01-25 |website=mayor.lacity.gov |language=en |archive-date=January 25, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250125084817/https://mayor.lacity.gov/news/thursday-evening-update-la-city-continues-prepare-fire-affected-areas-potential-impacts-rain |url-status=live }}
=Out-of-state assistance=
On January 8, US President Joe Biden ordered the Department of Defense to provide firefighting personnel and equipment. US Navy helicopters were sent from San Diego, and the Nevada National Guard and United States Forest Service sent fire engines.{{Cite web |date=January 8, 2025 |title=President Biden promises full federal support as California responds to wildfires |url=https://www.nbc26.com/us-news/president-biden-promises-full-federal-support-as-california-responds-to-wildfires |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=WGBA NBC 26 in Green Bay |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111074435/https://www.nbc26.com/us-news/president-biden-promises-full-federal-support-as-california-responds-to-wildfires |url-status=live }} In a press conference that same afternoon, LA County Fire Department chief Marrone said firefighters were arriving from other states: 60 teams from Oregon, 45 from Washington State, 15 from Utah, 10 from New Mexico, and an unspecified amount from Arizona. Montana also sent 10 fire engines and 40 firefighters from different counties, including: Columbus, Red Lodge, Missoula, Big Sky, Central Valley, Big Fork, Corvallis, Whitefish, Plains, Paradise, and Butte.KTVQ. (2025, January 15). Columbus and Red Lodge fire crews among Montana teams headed to California to combat wildfires. Retrieved from https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/columbus-and-red-lodge-fire-crews-among-montana-teams-headed-to-california-to-combat-wildfires {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115071642/https://www.ktvq.com/news/local-news/columbus-and-red-lodge-fire-crews-among-montana-teams-headed-to-california-to-combat-wildfires |date=January 15, 2025 }} Texas governor Greg Abbott also sent several firefighters and emergency personnel to combat the wildfires,{{Cite news |last1=Simmerman |first1=Alexis |last2=Santucci |first2=Jeanine |date=January 13, 2025 |title=Texas firefighters, first responders to aid in LA wildfires, Gov. Abbott says |url=https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2025/01/13/la-wildfires-california-texas-firefighters-first-responders-aid-help-greg-abbott-emac-who-started/77666025007/ |work=Austin American Statesman |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=January 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114052821/https://www.statesman.com/story/news/state/2025/01/13/la-wildfires-california-texas-firefighters-first-responders-aid-help-greg-abbott-emac-who-started/77666025007/ |url-status=live }} including the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department and from Southeast Texas.{{Cite web |last=Mugavero |first=Amelia |date=2025-01-13 |title=North Texans answer the call as wildfires rage in California |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/north-texans-answer-the-call-as-wildfires-rage-in-california/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |publisher=CBS News |language=en-US |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114052821/https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/north-texans-answer-the-call-as-wildfires-rage-in-california/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Shay |first=Miya |date=2025-01-13 |title=Firefighters from Southeast Texas head to California to help battle ongoing wildfires |url=https://abc13.com/post/california-wildfire-update-firefighters-southeast-texas-arrive-help-during-ongoing-disaster-left-least-24-dead/15795393/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=ABC13 Houston |language=en |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114052821/https://abc13.com/post/california-wildfire-update-firefighters-southeast-texas-arrive-help-during-ongoing-disaster-left-least-24-dead/15795393/ |url-status=live }} The Red Cross from Texas Region also sent four volunteers: three from Austin and one from San Antonio.{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Jeremy |date=2025-01-13 |title=Bexar County crews send resources to assist efforts to combat wildfire scorching South California |url=https://www.kens5.com/article/news/local/san-antonio-texas-first-responders-emergency-efforts-help-los-angeles-california-pacific-palisades-wildfire/273-ea767744-932f-4a40-a8e2-d4e1e0a57d87 |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=kens5.com |language=en-US}}
On January 14, 2025, the Federal Emergency Management Agency opened two disaster recovery centers to help wildfire victims apply for financial assistance: one in West Los Angeles at the UCLA Research Park (the former Westside Pavilion) and the other in Pasadena at the Community Education Center of Pasadena City College.{{cite news |last1=Rodriguez |first1=Matthew |title=FEMA opens recovery centers at UCLA and Pasadena City College |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/fema-opens-recovery-centers-at-ucla-and-pasadena-city-college/ |work=CBS News Los Angeles |date=January 14, 2025 |archive-date=January 16, 2025 |access-date=January 16, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250116052731/https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/fema-opens-recovery-centers-at-ucla-and-pasadena-city-college/ |url-status=live }}
According to CNN, representatives for Department of Government Efficiency in late January 2025 instructed the United States Bureau of Reclamation to release water through the Jones Pumping Plant despite the water being unable to reach fire-affected Los Angeles, but the Jones Pumping Plant had been temporarily shut down for maintenance, and one DOGE representative was not granted water pump access as he was not employed by the government.{{cite news |last1=Nilsen |first1=Elia |title=Inside Trump and DOGE's chaotic effort to release billions of gallons of California's water |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/07/climate/trump-doge-california-water/index.html |access-date=March 9, 2025 |work=CNN |date=March 7, 2025}}
From January 31 to February 2, the United States Army Corps of Engineers, under the Trump administration, released 2.2 billion gallons of water (per local authorities) from federal reservoirs in California's Lake Success and Lake Kaweah via the Schafer Dam and Terminus Dam respectively.{{cite news |last1=Nilsen |first1=Ella |title=2.2 billion gallons of water flowed out of California reservoirs because of Trump's order to open dams |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/03/climate/trump-california-water-dams-reservoirs/index.html |access-date=March 9, 2025 |work=CNN |date=February 3, 2025}} Trump commented on social media on January 31 on "beautiful water flow that I just opened in California … Everybody should be happy about this long fought Victory! I only wish they listened to me six years ago — There would have been no fire!"{{cite news |last1=James |first1=Ian |last2=Garrison |first2=Jessica |title=Acting on Trump's order, federal officials opened up two California dams |url=https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-01-31/trump-california-dams-opened-up |access-date=March 9, 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 31, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250204001208/https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-01-31/trump-california-dams-opened-up |archive-date=February 4, 2025}}{{cite news |last1=von Kaenel |first1=Camille |last2=Snider |first2=Annie |title=Trump says he opened California's water. Local officials say he nearly flooded them. |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/31/trump-california-water-00201909 |access-date=March 9, 2025 |work=Politico |date=January 31, 2025}} Within a week of the water release, the Army Corps of Engineers commented that the released water "could not be delivered to Southern California directly", that the California Department of Water Resources and the United States Bureau of Reclamation said they "likely could not utilize the additional water with such short notice", and that the Army Corps of Engineers stopped the water release after "elected officials expressed concerns from their constituents about potential flooding of downstream lands".{{cite news |last1=Dance |first1=Scott |last2=Partlow |first2=Joshua |title=Army Corps knew Trump order would waste California water, memo shows |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/03/07/trump-water-release-california-fires/ |access-date=March 9, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250308022435/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2025/03/07/trump-water-release-california-fires/ |archive-date=March 8, 2025}}
=International assistance=
On January 8, the Canadian government was already preparing for a possible aid response.{{cite web | url = https://x.com/HarjitSajjan/status/1877207150608384209 | title = Harjit Sajjan on X | date = January 8, 2025 | access-date = January 11, 2025 | language = en | quote = Throughout the day, I have been in contact with my provincial counterparts to coordinate resources for a Team Canada response to the wildfire situation in California. We remain ready to support our friends and neighbours if needed. | archive-date = January 12, 2025 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250112231502/https://x.com/HarjitSajjan/status/1877207150608384209 | url-status = live }} The following day, Emergency Preparedness Minister Harjit Sajjan offered to "deploy 250 firefighters, aircraft equipment, and other resources as early as tonight" as part of a coordinated effort with Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec.{{cite web | url = https://x.com/HarjitSajjan/status/1877451186607116460 | title = Harjit Sajjan on X | date = January 9, 2025 | access-date = January 11, 2025 | language = en | quote = Team Canada, with Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta, is ready to deploy 250 firefighters, aircraft equipment, and other resources as early as tonight. The @CanadianForces are standing by to move personnel and equipment. | archive-date = January 11, 2025 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250111044551/https://x.com/HarjitSajjan/status/1877451186607116460 | url-status = live }}{{Cite news |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Canadians join the fight against Los Angeles-area wildfires |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/quebec-british-columbia-wildfires-los-angeles-1.7426060 |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=CBC News British Columbia |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250111110055/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/quebec-british-columbia-wildfires-los-angeles-1.7426060 |url-status=live }} On January 9, NIFC requested two Canadair CL-415 water bomber aircraft through CIFFC, their Canadian counterpart, which worked with provincial agencies to fulfill the request.{{cite news | url = https://globalnews.ca/news/10950398/los-angeles-wildfires-canada-resources-aid/ | title = L.A. wildfires: U.S. asks Canada for resources as provinces send aid | last = Previl | first = Sean | date = January 9, 2025 | website = Global News | access-date = January 11, 2025 | language = en }} Multiple provincial governments pledged their support as well; the British Columbian and Albertan governments offered water bombers, night-vision helicopters, and incident command teams.{{cite news | url = https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-to-send-water-bombers-helicopters-to-help-fight-los-angeles-wildfire-1.7427136 | title = Alberta preparing to send water bombers, helicopters to help fight Los Angeles wildfire | last1 = Baig | first1 = Fakiha | last2 = Johnson | first2 = Lisa | date = January 9, 2025 | website = CBC News Edmonton | publisher = Canadian Broadcasting Corporation | access-date = January 11, 2025 | language = en}} Two CL-415 water bombers from Quebec were already in California as per a long-term contract with the LA County Fire Department;{{cite news |title=LA County Fire Department has SuperScoopers ready as dry grass season arrives |work=Los Angeles Daily News |date=September 9, 2024 |url=https://www.dailynews.com/2024/09/09/la-county-fire-department-has-superscoopers-ready-as-dry-grass-season-arrives/ |access-date=January 15, 2025 |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112022623/https://www.dailynews.com/2024/09/09/la-county-fire-department-has-superscoopers-ready-as-dry-grass-season-arrives/ |url-status=live }} they have been involved since January 7. On January 10, it was announced that two additional CL-415s would be sent.{{cite web | url = https://sopfeu.qc.ca/communiques/pret-de-ressources-le-quebec-enverra-deux-avions-citernes-supplementaires-en-californie/ | title = Le Québec enverra deux avions-citernes supplémentaires en Californie | trans-title = Quebec will send two additional water bombers to California | author = SOPFEU | date = January 10, 2025 | access-date = January 12, 2025 | language = fr | archive-date = January 12, 2025 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250112084111/https://sopfeu.qc.ca/communiques/pret-de-ressources-le-quebec-enverra-deux-avions-citernes-supplementaires-en-californie/ | url-status = live }}{{cite news | url = https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/ontario-waterbombers-at-ready-but-not-yet-deployed-to-la-area-fires-10065424 | title = Ontario waterbombers at ready but not yet deployed to L.A. area fires | last = Armstrong | first = Kenneth | date = January 11, 2025 | website = SooToday | publisher = Village Media | access-date = January 11, 2025 | language = en | archive-date = January 12, 2025 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20250112211142/https://www.sootoday.com/local-news/ontario-waterbombers-at-ready-but-not-yet-deployed-to-la-area-fires-10065424 | url-status = live }} The Canadian government announced on January 12 that 60 firefighters would be deployed to join the firefighting efforts;{{Cite web |last=Trudeau |first=Justin |date=January 12, 2025 |title=Canada is deploying 60 firefighters to help battle the California wildfires |url=https://x.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1878542372746776818?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=X |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113041632/https://x.com/JustinTrudeau/status/1878542372746776818?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet |url-status=live }} the province of Ontario promised two water bombers, 165 urban firefighters, and an incident management team.{{cite news | url = https://www.thestar.com/news/world/united-states/l-a-fires-these-canadians-share-their-harrowing-escape-stories-from-apocalyptic-scene/article_ac59c788-cec6-11ef-b0a4-e30d5da2c636.html | title = Canadians in Los Angeles rush to escape wildfires | last = Swope | first = Ethan | date = January 11, 2025 | website = Toronto Star | access-date = January 12, 2025 | language = en }}
Mexican firefighters arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on January 12, 2025, to help battle the fires.{{cite web|url=https://abc7.com/post/firefighters-mexico-arrive-help-fight-california-wildfires/15791391/|title=Firefighters from Mexico arrive to help fight California wildfires|date=January 12, 2025|publisher=ABC 7}} They included firefighters from the National Forestry Commission and the National Secretary of Defense.{{cite web |last=Torres |first=Miguel |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Canada, Mexico to send firefighting help to Los Angeles. What to know |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2025/01/10/canada-mexico-send-firefighting-help-california-fires/77606449007/ |website=The Arizona Republic}} The Iranian Red Crescent offered to dispatch rapid deployment units to combat wildfires.{{cite web |date=January 12, 2025 |title=Iran says ready to send rapid response teams to contain California fires |url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202501113712 |website=Iran International}} Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has offered to deploy State Emergency Service firefighters to California to help deal with the fires.{{cite news |last1=Tyshchenko |first1=Kateryna |title=Zelenskyy proposes sending Ukrainian firefighters to combat California wildfires |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2025/01/12/7493184/ |access-date=14 January 2025 |work=Ukrainska Pravda |date=14 January 2025}}
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Home Front Command's "Agamim" technology branch provided data analysis support during the California fires. The unit created fire zone maps and a dedicated information portal for American firefighters. Israeli analysts worked during their daytime (US nighttime) to prepare situational assessments for American teams each morning.{{cite news|title=The secret weapon in the California fire war: an Israeli brain|url=https://www.israelhayom.co.il/military-life/article/17281057|newspaper=Israel Hayom|date=February 2, 2025|author=Ronit Silberstein|language=he}}
On January 15, 2025, the Japanese government pledged to provide $2 million through the Red Cross to "establish evacuation sites and offer food and psychological support to those affected by the fires".{{Cite web |date=January 15, 2025 |title=Japan to give $2 million in aid to California for wildfire relief |url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2025/01/573b3a35ad4e-japan-to-give-2-mil-in-aid-to-california-for-wildfire-relief.html |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Kyodo News+}}
Reactions
= Domestic =
Los Angeles councilwoman Traci Park stated that the wildfires were "a devastating loss, for all of Los Angeles". Governor of California Gavin Newsom urged residents to follow evacuation orders and stated to the incoming Trump administration that "I'm not here to play any politics" after he contacted President Joe Biden to receive federal fire assistance with "No politics, no handwringing, no kissing of the feet." He later canceled his trip to Washington, D.C., where he had planned to attend President Jimmy Carter's memorial service.{{Cite web |last=Russell |first=Lia |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Gavin Newsom Cancels DC Trip, Declares State of Emergency |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article298182268.html}} President Joe Biden also canceled his trip to Italy in order to focus on tracking the wildfires across the Los Angeles area.{{Cite web |author-first1=MJ |author-last1=Lee|author-first2=Donald|author-last2=Judd|date=January 9, 2025 |title=Biden cancels Italy trip in final days of his presidency to focus on federal response to LA wildfires |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/08/politics/biden-cancels-rome-italy-trip-wildfires-california/index.html |access-date=January 9, 2025 |publisher=CNN }}{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Zeke |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Biden cancels trip to Italy, meant as final foreign visit of presidency, as fires rage in California |url=https://apnews.com/article/biden-fire-pope-california-italy-df89b74eec47dc94cc87f51601e44c0d |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=AP News }} He also offered any federal assistance needed to suppress the Palisades Fire.{{Cite web |last=Biden |first=Joe |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Statement from President Joe Biden on the Wildfires in West Los Angeles |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/07/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-the-wildfires-in-west-los-angeles/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=The White House }} In addition, Vice President Kamala Harris urged people to heed the guidance of local officials{{Cite web |last=Harris |first=Kamala |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Statement from Vice President Harris on Wildfires in Southern California |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2025/01/08/statement-from-vice-president-harris-on-wildfires-in-southern-california/ |access-date=January 8, 2025 |website=The White House }} and also canceled her own trip to Singapore, Bahrain, and Germany.{{Cite web |last=Megerian |first=Chris |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Harris cancels final foreign trip because of California wildfires |url=https://apnews.com/article/kamala-harris-california-wildfires-singapore-bahrain-germany-c4bec92d7bd785e5b358edaa2e08aa95 |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=AP News }}
President-elect Donald Trump placed blame on Governor Gavin Newsom for refusing to sign a "water restoration declaration", citing a desire for the governor to protect "an essentially worthless fish called the smelt." Newsom's press office responded, stating that such a declaration does not exist and is "pure fiction".{{Cite news |last1=Knowles |first1=Hannah |last2=Tucker |first2=Brianna |last3=LeVine |first3=Marianne |date=January 8, 2024 |others=Azi Paybarah, Matt Viser and Angie Orellana Hernandez |title=As L.A. burns, Trump blames Newsom — and California governor pushes back |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/08/california-fires-trump-newsom-biden-politicians/ |url-access=registration |access-date=January 9, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} On January 10, 2025, Newsom told Joe Biden that the country needed to address "hurricane-force winds of mis- and disinformation" about the fires.{{cite news |last=Gardiner |first=Dustin |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Gavin Newsom slams 'hurricane-force' disinformation over Los Angeles fires |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/10/gavin-newsom-disinformation-los-angeles-fires-00197571 |work=Politico}} On January 11, Newsom launched the CaliforniaFireFacts.com webpage on his website, intended to correct misinformation and disinformation regarding California's policies and management before and during the wildfires. He accused "so-called leaders and partisan media outlets" of spreading misinformation, whom he stated was dividing the country "for their own political gain" and causing distress to the fire's victims.{{Cite web |date=January 11, 2025 |title=Live updates: Deadly Los Angeles wildfires threaten new communities as biggest blaze expands |url=https://edition.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-california-01-11-25/index.html?t=1736643077189 |access-date=January 12, 2025 |publisher=CNN}}{{Cite web |title=California Fire Facts |url=https://gavinnewsom.com/california-fire-facts/ |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=Governor Gavin Newsom}} On January 12, while being interviewed on the Pod Save America podcast, Newsom stated that he was ordering an inquiry to determine why several fire hydrants ran out of water during the firefighting response, elaborating that he kept "getting different answers" from Los Angeles officials.{{Cite news |last1=Graff |first1=Amy |last2=Wolfe |first2=Jonathan |last3=Moses |first3=Claire |last4=Zhuang |first4=Yan |date=January 12, 2025 |title=L.A. Fires Live Updates: Firefighters Make Progress as Forecasts Warn of Stronger Winds |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/12/us/los-angeles-fires-california |access-date=January 12, 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}} Newsom also criticized Elon Musk for politicization and disinformation on wildfires.{{cite news |agency=Agence France-Presse|date=January 14, 2025 |title=California Governor Slams Elon Musk Over Los Angeles Wildfire "Lies" |url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/california-governor-gavin-newsom-slams-elon-musk-over-los-angeles-wildfire-lies-7467771 |publisher=NDTV |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Tait |first=Robert |date=2025-01-13 |title=Newsom accuses Musk of encouraging looting in LA fires disinformation spat |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/13/gavin-newsom-elon-musk-fires-looting |access-date=2025-01-14 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{cite magazine |title=Elon Musk Exposed Over Right-Wing Lie on L.A. Fires |url=https://newrepublic.com/post/190157/elon-musk-fact-check-water-shortage-la-fires |magazine=The New Republic|first=Hafiz|last=Rashid|date=January 13, 2025}}
On January 15, 2025, US Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) argued for the imposition of conditions on the release of federal aid to California wildfire victims.{{cite news |last1=Inskeep |first1=Steve |author-link1=Steve Inskeep |last2=Guevara |first2=Milton |title=Republican Sen. Ron Johnson says fire aid to California should come with conditions |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/01/15/nx-s1-5259669/california-wildfires-aid-republicans |work=Morning Edition |date=January 15, 2025}} He criticized the moral hazard inherent in California's "laws where they made it very unattractive for private insurers to come in and actually insure their properties and assess the risk properly" and thereby "encouraged people to build multimillion ... homes and complexes in very vulnerable areas". He further argued that such increased exposure to wildfire risk was then compounded by incompetent mitigation of that risk. Kelsey Piper, a journalist writing for Vox, criticized Newsom and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara's impulse to respond "to a problem that was substantially caused by price controls with more price controls" by banning policy nonrenewals and fire sales of homes at less than pre-fire values.{{cite news |last1=Piper |first1=Kelsey |author-link1=Kelsey Piper |title=There are no grown-ups in California |url=https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/395335/wildfires-california-gavin-newsom-insurance-housing |work=Vox |date=January 17, 2025}}
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass' absence during President Biden's visit to Santa Monica to assess fire damage drew criticism, including from former Obama administration spokesperson Tommy Vietor. At the time the fires broke out, Bass was in Ghana as part of a delegation attending the inauguration of President John Mahama. She later ended her trip early, returning to the city on January 8.{{Cite web |last=Martichoux |first=Alix |date=January 8, 2025 |title=Why was Mayor Karen Bass in Africa during L.A. fires? |work=KTLA |url=https://ktla.com/news/local-news/why-was-mayor-karen-bass-in-africa-during-l-a-fires/ |access-date=January 9, 2025 }} A New York Times article characterized Bass's international visit occurring when the NWS had warned of "extreme fire weather conditions" as having "set off a political crisis". The article reported that during her 2021 mayoral campaign, Bass explicitly stated to The New York Times that she would restrict her travel as mayor to domestic locations after she expressed initial reluctance about leaving her international work, particularly her involvement in United States–Africa relations. Despite this campaign pledge, the article stated that Bass undertook several international trips after assuming office in December 2022, including multiple visits to France regarding the 2024 Summer Olympic Games and a diplomatic visit to Mexico for President Claudia Sheinbaum's inauguration. The article reported that Bass claimed that the visit was conducted at the Biden administration's request, that she maintained "constant contact" with officials as the wildfires grew, and that she took a military plane back to Los Angeles as the quickest possible trip. Bass's spokesperson Zach Seidl stated that her 2021 pledge about only conducting domestic travel as a mayor was "a miscommunication".{{Cite news |last1=Hubler |first1=Shawn |last2=Karlamangla |first2=Soumya |date=January 12, 2025 |title=Before Taking Office, L.A.'s Mayor Said She Would Not Go Abroad |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/12/us/karen-bass-ghana-wildfire-travel-los-angeles.html |access-date=January 13, 2025 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}{{Cite web |last=McPhee |first=Michele |date=August 13, 2024 |title=Mayor Bass Makes History As First Black Woman to Receive Olympic Flag at Closing Ceremonies |url=https://lamag.com/news/mayor-bass-makes-history-as-first-black-woman-to-receive-olympic-flag-at-closing-ceremonies |access-date=January 13, 2025 |website=LAmag - Culture, Food, Fashion, News & Los Angeles }}
Los Angeles Times owner Patrick Soon-Shiong criticized Bass for cutting $17.6 million from the annual budget to the fire department, noting that severe fire hazard conditions had been known well in advance and that fire hydrants in Pacific Palisades lacked pressure.{{Cite web |last=Nieves |first=Alex |date=January 8, 2025 |title=With Bass abroad, even Democrats are slamming LA mayor over wildfires |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/08/los-angeles-fires-mayor-karen-bass-handling-criticized-00197137 |access-date=January 9, 2025 |website=Politico }} Politico stated that Soon-Shiong's assertions were wrong, and that the city was in the process of drafting a new contract with the fire department as the budget was being crafted, and that additional funding was set aside in a separate fund until the deal was finalized in December. It also stated that Bass "did not push back on the record to inquiries about Soon-Shiong's post, allowing the incorrect information to circulate widely online for most of Wednesday". Bob Blumenfield, a member of the Los Angeles City Council, said that the fire department's budget had increased by more than $50 million.{{cite web|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/08/wildfire-threatens-karen-bass-extended-honeymoon-00197228?nname=playbook&nid=0000014f-1646-d88f-a1cf-5f46b7bd0000&nrid=dc17af68-fbd6-4816-b542-880b5b9516f9&nlid=630318|title=Wildfire response threatens to end Karen Bass' extended honeymoon|first1=Melanie|last1=Mason|first2=Alex|last2=Nieves|work=Politico|date=January 8, 2025|access-date=January 9, 2025}} The city's financial analysts stated that the fire department's operating budget increased more than 7% compared to the prior fiscal year.{{cite news |last1=Zahniser |first1=David |title=Did Mayor Karen Bass really cut the fire department budget? The answer gets tricky |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-10/how-much-did-the-l-a-fire-department-really-cut-its-budget |access-date=January 11, 2025 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 10, 2025}} When reporters asked Mayor Bass about the budget cuts on January 9, she said that "There were no reductions that were made that would have impacted the situation".{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2025 |title=L.A. mayor shuts down questions over LAFD budget cuts |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-deadly-blazes-spread-hollywood-hills-rcna186927/rcrd67253?canonicalCard=true |access-date=January 10, 2025 |publisher=NBC News}}
Several drone operators were targeted with harsh criticism for flying in unauthorized airspace to take pictures and videos of the wildfires and neighborhoods damaged by the fires. Critics included other drone operators and photographers, with many posting comments under drone pictures chastising the operator for causing danger to and hindering firefighting efforts. Several people who used drones to take pictures or videos during the outbreak subsequently deleted their social media accounts.
The Los Angeles Rams wore hats and shirts inscribed with "LAFD" in solidarity with the fire department and wildfire victims during the NFL Wild Card playoff game (their home game but played in another venue) against the Minnesota Vikings in Glendale, Arizona, on January 13.{{Cite web |title=Matthew Stafford hopes Rams' playoff win gave L.A. 'something to cheer about' during wildfire disaster: 'We knew we weren't just playing for us' |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/matthew-stafford-hopes-rams-playoff-win-gave-l-a-something-to-cheer-about-during-wildfire-disaster-we-knew-we-weren-t-just-playing-for-us |access-date=2025-01-14 |publisher=National Football League |language=en-US}} Former Rams tackle and Super Bowl winner Andrew Whitworth spoke to the State Farm Stadium crowd at the beginning of the contest talking about the impact of the wildfires, the bravery of first responders and firefighters, and the resiliency of LA's residents in uniting and rebuilding.{{Cite web |last1=Ntim |first1=Zac |last2=Hipes |first2=Patrick |date=2025-01-14 |title=LA Rams Win Wild Card Game And Pay Tribute To First Responders & Fire Victims: "We Will Rebuild L.A. Hand In Hand, Together" |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/fire-ravaged-los-angeles-shoutout-rams-vikings-playoff-game-1236256151/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2025-01-14 |title=Rams Great Andrew Whitworth Delivered Moving Speech in Honor of L.A. Ahead of 'MNF'|first=Mike |last=Kadlick |url=https://www.si.com/nfl/andrew-whitworth-moving-speech-los-angeles-wildfires-rams-vikings |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=SI |language=en-US}} After a 27–9 upset victory,{{Cite web |last=Duarte |first=Michael |date=2025-01-13 |title=LA Strong: Resilient Rams upset Vikings 27-9 in NFC Wild Card Game dedicated to LA Community and wildfire victims |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/sports/rams-vikings-nfc-wild-card-game-arizona/3603884/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=NBC Los Angeles |language=en-US}} Rams head coach Sean McVay described the team as having "epitomized and represented the city the right way" amid its struggle and resilience during the fires. Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford said:
{{Blockquote|text="But we knew we weren't playing just for us. [We were] playing for people back home that needed something to, you know, watch and enjoy. And I'm glad we could give that to them."|author=Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams quarterback}}
The Los Angeles Kings, during their five-game road trip, wore patches and stickers honoring the LAFD as well as their opponents they played against: Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, Vancouver Canucks, and Seattle Kraken. A special moment was held in Winnipeg dedicated to the firefighters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/kings/news/kings-wear-lafd-patches-and-stickers-on-five-game-trip|title=Kings Wear LAFD Patches, Stickers on Five-Game Trip {{pipe}} Los Angeles Kings|date=January 11, 2025|publisher=National Hockey League}} During their first home game on January 21 against the Pittsburgh Penguins since the fires, the Kings repainted center ice with the logo of the LAFD and honored both firefighters and first responders.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nhl.com/news/kings-put-lafd-logo-at-center-ice-after-long-road-trip|title=Kings place special LAFD logo at center ice after long road trip {{pipe}} NHL.com|date=January 19, 2025|website=www.nhl.com}} The Los Angeles Lakers during their home game against the San Antonio Spurs held a moment of silence and dedicated the game to the firefighters. Despite the fact Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul were playing for the Spurs, the two gave the children of Lakers coach JJ Redick their game jerseys, as the two boys lost their basketball collection in the Palisades Fire.{{Cite web|url=https://www.kget.com/sports/ap-lakers-clippers-return-to-their-home-courts-after-days-of-fire-devastation-across-los-angeles/|title=Lakers, Clippers return to their home courts after days of fire devastation across Los Angeles|first=Greg|last=Beacham|date=January 14, 2025|website=kget.com}} The Los Angeles Clippers gave away rally towels during their home game against the Miami Heat featuring the words "LA Strong" and a blue image of the state of California.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-14 |title=Harden's big 3rd quarter helps Los Angeles Clippers rally past Miami Heat 109-98 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/hardens-big-3rd-quarter-helps-clippers-rally-past-heat-109-98/ |access-date=2025-02-07 |website=CBS Miami |language=en-US}} The Anaheim Ducks honored Orange County firefighters who battle the Palisades and Eaton fire at their home game on January 21 against the Florida Panthers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/ocfireauthority/p/DFIrjDhv2MM/|title=Instagram|website=www.instagram.com}}
All twelve teams in the Los Angeles area donated more than $8 million to the American Red Cross, Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation, California Fire Foundation, Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund, World Central Kitchen, California Community Foundation Wildfire Recovery Fund, Team Rubicon, and various local animal rescue organizations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/release-twelve-los-angeles-sports-teams-unite-to-donate-in-support-of-those-impacted-by-l-a-fires-1-13-25|title=Twelve Los Angeles sports teams unite to donate in support of those impacted by L.A. fires|publisher=Major League Baseball}} Several celebrities including Taylor Swift, Leonardo DiCaprio, Eva Longoria, Beyoncé, Paris Hilton, Jamie Lee Curtis, Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner, and Halle Berry donated money to various organizations in order to help the victims affected by the wildfires.{{Cite web |last=Roeloffs |first=Mary Whitfill |title=Taylor Swift Joins Billionaires And Celebrities Donating To Los Angeles Fire Victims |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2025/01/16/billionaires-celebrities-donate-los-angeles-wildfire-relief-zuckerberg-jamie-lee-curtis-kylie-jenner/|date=January 17, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Forbes |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Marcos |first=Coral Murphy |date=2025-01-15 |title=Celebrities, athletes, executives donate millions to California fire-relief efforts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/14/celebrities-donate-millions-california-fires |access-date=2025-01-17 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite news |last=Kalra |first=Sanchita |date=January 13, 2025 |title=Selena Gomez, Paris Hilton and other celebs unite to help LA wildfire survivors |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/htcity/cinema/selena-gomez-paris-hilton-and-other-celebs-unite-to-help-la-wildfire-survivors-101736758702476.html |access-date=January 17, 2025 |work=Hindustan Times}} Meghan Markle and Prince Harry also aided the victims by volunteering their time alongside workers from the World Central Kitchen by distributing meals to those in need at a meal distribution center.{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Russell |date=2025-01-16 |title=Gwyneth Paltrow Joins Celebs Who Have Donated to L.A. Wildfires Relief |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/celebrities-who-have-donated-to-l-a-wildfires-relief-effort/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Us Weekly |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Oganesyan |first=Natalie |date=2025-01-11 |title=Meghan Markle And Prince Harry Visit Eaton Fire Evacuees, Distribute Food |url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/meghan-markle-prince-harry-la-wildfire-relief-1236254375/ |access-date=2025-01-17 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
On January 28, governor Gavin Newsom launched "LA Rises", a fundraising initiative in collaboration with the private sector to help rebuild areas affected by the fires in addition to $2.5 billion in state relief. The Los Angeles Dodgers made a $100 million donation to LA Rises.{{cite web | url=https://abc7.com/post/los-angeles-wildfire-relief-gov-gavin-newsom-launches-la-rises-raise-money-resources-fire-victims/15844271/ | title=Newsom launches LA Rises, private-sector initiative to raise funds, resources for fire victims | date=January 28, 2025 }}
On January 30, 2025, the benefit concert FireAid was held, and other similar concerts followed.{{cite news|first=Alex|last=Welch|title=Weird Al Yankovic, Margaret Cho to Headline 'Let's Get L.Aid' Music and Comedy Night for Wildfire Relief|url=https://www.thewrap.com/lets-get-laid-los-angeles-wildfire-relief-event-weird-al-margaret-cho/|work=TheWrap|date=February 27, 2025|access-date=April 2, 2025}} Compilation benefit albums, such as Los Angeles Rising and Super Bloom: A Benefit for Los Angeles Fire Relief, were also released.{{citation |url=https://www.uncut.co.uk/news/nick-cave-pj-harvey-rem-and-many-more-contribute-to-la-wildfire-benefit-comps-148782/ |title=Nick Cave, PJ Harvey, REM and many more contribute to LA wildfire benefit comps |work=Uncut |author=Sam Richards |date=February 7, 2025 |access-date=April 2, 2025}}
During Los Angeles FC's home opener against Minnesota United FC on February 22, 2025, LAFC fans unveiled a tifo honoring the LAFD and other firefighters.{{Cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/lists/will-ferrell-lafc-fans-california-wildfire-heroes-including-powerful-tifo-firefighters/blt3cb564c2ca2a915a#cs65ec4fdd9bc18958|title=Will Ferrell and LAFC's fans show support for California wildfire heroes, including powerful Firefighters tifo revealed at season opener | Goal.com India|date=February 23, 2025|website=www.goal.com}} A day later, the LA Galaxy honored Los Angeles County firefighters at their home opener against San Diego FC.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lagalaxy.com/news/la-galaxy-announce-sellout-at-dignity-health-sports-park-for-2025-home-opener-presented-by-modelo|title=LA Galaxy Announce Sellout at Dignity Health Sports Park for 2025 Home Opener Presented by Modelo | LA Galaxy|website=lagalaxy}}
During the Los Angeles Dodgers's home opener against the Detroit Tigers on March 27, 2025, firefighters from across the Los Angeles area were brought in for the flag salute ceremony before the game started.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/dodgers-opening-game-los-angeles-firefighters-dodger-stadium/|title=Dodgers home opening game kicks off with LA fire crew salute - CBS Los Angeles|first1=Julie Sharp Web|last1=Producer|first2=CBS Los Angeles Julie Sharp is a digital producer at CBS Los Angeles She is a South Bay|last2=native|first3=majored in print journalism at Cal State University Long Beach Read Full Bio Julie|last3=Sharp|date=March 27, 2025|website=www.cbsnews.com}} The Los Angeles Angels started wearing a firefighter helmet during the 2025 season whenever they hit home runs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/angels-unveil-home-run-fire-helmet|title='It's bigger than baseball': Angels honor LA firefighters with HR helmet|website=MLB.com}}
The Rams held their 2025 NFL Draft at the LAFD's Air Operations facility in Van Nuys to honor the firefighters who fought in the fires.https://www.reuters.com/sports/rams-honor-la-firefighters-by-drafting-fire-station-2025-04-17/
= International =
Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said the footage from Los Angeles would be shocking for Australians facing wildfires and showed the impact of climate change on fire seasons.{{Cite web |last=Durbin |first=Adam |date=January 10, 2025 |title=LA fires latest updates: Deadly wildfires rage across LA as fierce winds threaten more destruction |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cg7z9zjv90jt?page=2 |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=BBC News}}{{Cite web |last=Foley |first=Mike |date=January 9, 2025 |title=Australia leases US firebombing aircraft in the northern winter. So what happens when LA burns in January? |url=https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/fire-seasons-are-becoming-a-constant-global-threat-this-may-leave-australia-on-its-own-20250109-p5l30j.html |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=The Sydney Morning Herald}} The government also offered help to the United States to fight the wildfires.{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Alex |date=2025-01-10 |title=Australia offers help as Los Angeles fires shock stars |url=https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8863830/australia-offers-help-as-los-angeles-fires-shock-stars/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=www.canberratimes.com.au |language=en-au}} Chilean President Gabriel Boric called on his people to prevent fires in the country.{{Cite web |last=Arriaza |first=Javiera |date=2025-01-10 |title=A propósito de situación de Los Ángeles, EE.UU: Presidente Boric llama a la prevención de incendios por altas temperaturas |trans-title=Regarding the situation in Los Angeles, USA: President Boric calls for the prevention of fires due to high temperatures |url=https://www.latercera.com/nacional/noticia/a-proposito-de-situacion-de-los-angeles-eeuu-presidente-boric-llama-a-la-prevencion-de-incendios-por-altas-temperaturas/HVRIB5PXTZBVXMME6R2SDVVQLY/# |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=La Tercera}}
= Criticism towards the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power =
Social media users have criticized Los Angeles city officials and the Department of Water and Power (DWP) for not maintaining adequate water supplies and flow across the city during the fire. Rick Caruso, a real estate developer, former DWP Commissioner and runner-up in the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election, criticized Mayor Bass and Los Angeles's inadequate firefighting infrastructure, stating, "The firefighters are there [in the neighborhood], and there's nothing they can do." State and local officials have denied that state water distribution choices or supply problems caused the issues, instead citing demand that surpassed the water system's designed capacity. Around 40 percent of Los Angeles city water comes from state-controlled projects connected to northern California, and the southern California reservoirs have been reported to be at above-average levels.
Altadena residents whose residences were destroyed in the fire also criticized the lack of coordination regarding recovery assistance, communication, and reconstruction leadership, in part due to Altadena's unincorporated status giving it no city hall or clear centralized command. In response to criticism levied against the department regarding the empty Santa Ynez Reservoir prior to the fires, the DWP released a statement targeting misinformation in accusations against their role in the fires' spread. It stated that the reservoir was taken offline to comply with Los Angeles's drinking water regulations, and that the repair process was subject to the Los Angeles city charter's competitive bidding requirements, delaying the timeline for its return to use. The statement also reported that its fire hydrants were fully operational and in full compliance with LAFD inspections prior to the disaster, and that its water infrastructure met all requirements from established state and federal fire codes.{{Cite web |title=Pacific Palisades Fire: Correcting Misinformation About LADWP's Water System |url=https://www.ladwpnews.com/pacific-palisades-fire-correcting-misinformation-about-ladwps-water-system/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113221909/https://www.ladwpnews.com/pacific-palisades-fire-correcting-misinformation-about-ladwps-water-system/ |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=ladwpnews.com}}
= Litigation =
Over a dozen residents of Los Angeles County filed a lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior Court against the Los Angeles city government and the LADWP, accusing the latter of failing to repair the Santa Ynez Reservoir at an appropriate pace and for not preparing its water infrastructure in advance of the well-predicted windstorm and red flag alerts. The plaintiffs accused the Los Angeles city government of not properly preparing for the wildfires, and demanded compensation for loss of property, lost wages, and lost business profits.{{Cite news |date=13 January 2024 |title=Death toll rises to 24 as region braces for dangerous winds |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2025/01/13/los-angeles-fires-california-updates-palisades-eaton/ |access-date=14 January 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}} Several residents of Altadena filed four lawsuits against Southern California Edison, alleging that the Eaton Fire was started by faulty power infrastructure owned by the company.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-13 |first1=Noah |last1=Goldberg|first2=Salvador |last2=Hernandez|title=Four lawsuits filed against Southern California Edison over Eaton fire |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-13/lawsuits-filed-against-southern-california-edison-over-eaton-fire?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_latimes |access-date=2025-01-14 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}
= Development in High-Risk Areas =
Criticism has emerged regarding continued real estate development in fire-prone regions. A report by Jacobin highlighted how real estate lobbying efforts have historically opposed restrictions on building in designated high-risk wildfire zones, contributing to the increased destruction caused by fires. The article cited past legislative efforts, such as California Senate Bill 55, which aimed to limit development in "very high risk" zones but was ultimately blocked by industry lobbying efforts. Environmental advocates argue that unchecked urban expansion into fire-prone areas has exacerbated wildfire damage and put more residents at risk.{{Cite news | last = Schwenk | first = Katya | title = LA Real Estate Lobbied to Develop in High-Risk Fire Areas | work = Jacobin | date = 2025-01-13 | url = https://jacobin.com/2025/01/la-wildfire-real-estate-development | access-date = 2025-02-17 }}
Gallery of maps
File:2025 Palisades Fire map.png|The extent of the Palisades Fire
File:2025 Eaton Fire map.png|The extent of the Eaton Fire
File:2025 Eaton Fire Altadena closeup.png|alt=|The footprint of the Eaton Fire in the community of Altadena
See also
- 2025 California wildfires
- 2003 California wildfires
- October 2007 California wildfires
- May 2014 San Diego County wildfires
- December 2017 Southern California wildfires
- Marshall Fire{{snd}}Colorado wildfires from strong winds in 2021
- Watch Duty
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- [https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents CAL FIRE – list of active wildfires]
- [https://app.watchduty.org/ Watch Duty – map of active fires]
{{2025 wildfires}}
{{California wildfires}}
{{Deadliest meteorological events in 2025}}
Category:2025 California wildfires
Category:2025 natural disasters in the United States
Category:Urban fires in the United States
Category:Wildfires in Los Angeles County, California
Category:Wildfires in Orange County, California
Category:Wildfires in Riverside County, California
Category:Wildfires in San Bernardino County, California