Los Angeles Wildfires

Mike McMillan/USFS, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Thus far throughout 2025, one of the most notable disasters happening across the United States is the wildfires spreading throughout California. Throughout the last month, thousands of homes have been destroyed, people have lost their homes left with nowhere to go, and countless lives have been ruined. On Tuesday, January 7th, the Palisades Fire erupted in a Los Angeles neighborhood east of Malibu. The fire had grown over 23,000 acres by Sunday night, and according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, the fire likely damaged and/or destroyed over 5,000 structures. The Eaton Fire ignited Tuesday evening, north of downtown Los Angeles. It had ignited over 14,000 acres according to Cal Fire. The agency said more than 7,800 structures were likely damaged or destroyed in the wildfires. The Hurst Fire started Tuesday night in Sylmar, a suburban neighborhood north of San Fernando. 

As of Saturday night, it had expanded to around 800 acres and was 95% contained. Cal Fire said only two structures were likely damaged or destroyed in the fire. As firefighters were battling the wildfires, additional fires broke out Wednesday and Friday in the Los Angeles area. Crews were able to stop the forward spread and contain the blazes. As of Sunday evening, the Lidia, Archer, Woodley, Sunset and Kenneth fires were 100% contained and no longer considered active, according to the Cal Fire. Between them, the fires scorched 1,539 acres.

Fast forward to January 16, just over a week since the fires broke out, and firefighters are still dealing with enormous blazes that have burned tens of thousands of acres. The fires have incinerated homes and businesses, killed at least 25 people, and displaced at least 100,000 more. Forecasters, even as they warned that daunting conditions such as severe fire spread could return early next week, as a result of the Santa Ana winds. Critical fire conditions are stretching from Santa Barbara to San Diego although downtown Los Angeles is still barely affected.

At one point there were close to 200,000 people under evacuation orders as local officials tried to contain fires. By Tuesday morning the number had lowered to around 88,000 with another 84,000 in evacuation warning zones throughout Los Angeles. The fires have destroyed neighborhoods and blocks, leaving an unknown number of people homeless. As of Sunday the 12th, at least 29 people had died in the fires. At least 16 of the deaths were in the Eaton Fire and eight in the Palisades Fire. 

January 22nd, Wednesday morning, the Hughes Fire broke out igniting 45 miles north-west of downtown Los Angeles. The fire grew more than 10,000 acres in several hours on Wednesday. No homes or buildings were damaged in this blaze although nearby homes could be at risk. Locals were seen hosing down their homes and evacuating even though officials are confident they can get this fire under control. 31,000 people in the area are under mandatory evacuation order and another 23,000 have been warned they may have to evacuate. The County Sheriff also stated that 500 prisoners were evacuated.

Entering the first week of February, government officials and first responders are still working hard to contain these fires and put them out. As the fires burn wild across the outskirts of downtown Los Angeles, we can only hope for the best for those who are suffering.

By Luke Sommerville