Starting on January 7, 2025, Los Angeles County in California has undergone an impressive amount of destruction due to various fires inflaming the famed state. Two massive fires, beginning in Palisades and Eaton, both caused mainly by drought conditions and strong winds began their rampage through California early that morning. The Palisades fire started southeast of Palisades Drive, causing evacuation orders to be quickly executed. California governor, Gavin Newsom declared California under a state of emergency. Around the same time, the Eaton fire began in Altadena, prompting evacuation orders to be released for that area too. Around 6:30 PM, the Los Angeles Fire Department summoned all firefighters to duty. Later that night, the Hurst fire began on Sylmar as well.
On Jan. 8, the Woodley Fire began in the Sepulveda Basin. Two people were reported dead as a result of the Eaton Fire, as stated by LA County Fire Chief, Anthony Marrone. Pasadena, a city in California, issued a do-not-drink notification due to damage done to water filtering equipment. Former President Biden approved California to access recovery resources and funding held by the government by stating a major disaster declaration on behalf of California. By that night, the Lidia fire and the Sunset Fire set parts of Acton and Hollywood Hills aflame. By 8:30 PM, the Woodly Fire in Sepulveda Basin had been put out.
Former President Joe Biden announced the government’s assumption of recovery for the state of California, saying that the federal government will cover 100% of the damage caused by the fire for 180 days. By the end of this night, the Kenneth Fire had erupted in West Hills. The Sunset fire in Hollywood Hills had been completely contained at this time.
On January 10, Los Angeles officials declared a 12-hour curfew for its residents, starting at 6PM and ending at 6AM, justifying this act as a prevention towards possible looting and riots. By noon, the Archer Fire started in Granada Hills.
Newsom decided to double the California National Guard as a result of California’s persistent fires. By the end of Jan. 11, the Lidia Fire in Acton and the Archer Fire in Granada Hills had been completely put out.
On Jan. 12, at least 24 deaths were reported as a result of both the Palisades and Eaton fires, which were still storming throughout California. The National Weather Service announced another red flag warning for Southern California effective through Jan. 15, resulting in the power being shut off in assigned areas. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced that the California Community Foundation Wildlife Recovery Fund has received over $6 million in donations from around the world towards recovery efforts for fire victims. The Kenneth Fire in West Hill was reported to be fully contained.
Four separate lawsuits against Southern California Edison have come to light in the news on Jan. 13. Different families impacted by the fires’ destruction, both homeowners and renters alike, banded together to sue the utility company for failure to shut off all electrical equipment despite red flag warnings announced. Another lawsuit was brought against Los Angeles’ Department of Water and Power by a group of Pacific Palisades residents and businesses expressing their disapproval of alleged lack of preparation for the fires. By the end of the night, the Auto Fire in Venture began.
On the morning of January 14, authorities reported more than 30 unaccounted people amidst the fire disaster. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department announces 24 missing persons cases, while the Los Angeles Police Department stated its 13 active missing persons cases, assuming two of those to be dead. Later that evening, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner totaled fatalities to 25. The Eaton fire was recognized as the fifth deadliest fire in California history.
At time of publication, the Palisades Fire has only been 19% contained, along with the Eaton Fire being 45% contained. Numerous firefighters continue to be pulled to work towards the containment and prevention of future possible fires. Los Angeles residents have been told that they’ll have to wait at least a week before returning back to their homes. According to CNN, fire experts and arson investigators stated that it “could take months or even longer before they know precisely how the fires were ignited”.
Residents are eager to return home to survey damages done by the flames, some expecting thousands of dollars to go towards repairs. To help raise funding or to donate towards this cause, please make sure to visit California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund to help the victims of this horrendous disaster.
