In 2024, Southern California experienced one of the hottest and driest years on record. The number of droughts in the area have skyrocketed; the low levels of moisture in the air and in the soil, coupled with the dry winds blowing fiercely towards the coast resulted in devastating L.A. wildfires.
The fires began on January 7, 2025, in the city of Los Angeles, California. The causes are unknown, but the first fire – the Palisades Fire – ravaged the Pacific Palisades, a Los Angeles neighborhood east of Malibu. The blaze covered up to 23,448 acres before it was fully contained three days later, destroying more than 6,800 structures in the process, including the homes of many stars and celebrities.
Hours after the first fire began, the Eaton Fire ignited near a canyon in the national forest north of downtown L.A. Though it didn’t grow to the size of the Palisades Fire, it caused damage to around 10,491 structures – a significantly larger amount than was recorded in the Palisades. Additional fires broke out over the city in the next two weeks, including the Lidia, Archer, Woodley, Sunset, Kenneth, Hurst, Auto, and Hughes fires.
By the end, at least 29 people had been killed, and close to 200,000 people had been forced to evacuate from their homes. The fires were some of the most costly in California’s history, with experts estimating that total economic losses could reach $50 billion.
In the aftermath of the wildfires, California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a $2.5 billion spending plan to enhance wildfire response and recovery efforts. His “LA Rises” fundraising initiative collaborates with the private sector to aid in rebuilding areas impacted by the fires. In addition, over 2,700 National Guard members have been mobilized to assist in firefighting efforts, provide security, and support evacuation operations. There has been a 47% increase in CAL FIRE personnel since 2018, with plans to add 2,400 additional state firefighters over the next five years.
On a more local level, organizations like the International Medical Corps have been working to provide humanitarian relief, including medical and mental health care to those affected by the fires. Many companies and celebrities, including Beyoncé, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle have made donations to help the recovery efforts. Volunteers in areas like Altadena, which houses an urban farming community, are actively working towards rebuilding and replanting to help support local food security initiatives. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened disaster recovery centers to assist wildfire victims in applying for financial aid and other support services.
Though this recent disaster has been one of the worst wildfires the U.S. has ever faced, scientists warn that climate change could continue to contribute to even more devastating events in the future. The dry environment and intense heat waves create a setting where fire outbreaks could be wilder and deadlier than before, which pose a threat to the security of people all throughout Southern California.