The 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires

In January 2025, two devastating wildfires — the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire — ravaged Los Angeles County, driven by Santa Ana winds reaching 90 miles per hour. The fires burned nearly 80% of their total area within the first 24 hours, giving residents almost no time to evacuate. The Palisades Fire consumed 23,448 acres of Pacific Palisades and surrounding communities, destroying 6,837 structures. The Eaton Fire burned 14,021 acres near Altadena and Pasadena, destroying 9,414 structures. Combined, the fires killed 31 people, destroyed over 18,000 buildings, and caused billions of dollars in damage — making them the second deadliest and most destructive wildfires in California history after the 2018 Camp Fire. The disaster raised urgent questions about climate change, wildfire preparedness, water infrastructure, and the viability of building in fire-prone landscapes. Satellite data showed the fires' rapid spread was unprecedented, underscoring the accelerating threat of wildfire in a warming world.