California Wildfires

Since January 7th, 2025, fires have been burning through (site region i.e. Southern/Coastal) California, causing massive destruction and devastation for the people, animals, and community located there. As of January 22nd, 28 people have died and over 40,000 acres of land have been impacted. Together, all fires have caused over 100,000 people to leave their homes. The fires have already become the most destructive in the history of the state, and if it continues at this pace, it will become the worst natural incident in the history of the country.

There have been over 200 small fires spread throughout the region, and two major fires, including the Palisades and the Eaton Fire. Like the other fires, they started in the hills above Los Angeles during unprecedented high winds of up to 100 miles per hour. These winds are called the “Santa Ana” winds, and they usually blow from the ocean to the hills (during September through May). They blew towards the towns, bringing the fire with them. During the first two days of fires, the hurricane force winds made it impossible for firefighters to combat the fires because it was spreading too quickly, and the firefighters were unable to use planes and helicopters, which are the best tools for fighting massive fires. 

The Palisades Fire is the first fire to spread, and also the largest, longest burning, and most destructive in California currently. It has been burning since January 7th and is still burning now. It has destroyed about 25,000 acres since and is currently 65% contained. As it descended through the hills, it burned the majority of the coastline from Malibu to the Pacific Palisades area, destroying over 5,000 homes, including multi-million dollar beachfront properties, while killing eight people so far. The Pacific Palisades neighborhood has been almost completely destroyed, including schools, hospitals, and grocery stores. The cause of this fire is still unknown.

The Eaton Fire is the second largest, burning in the neighborhoods of Altadena and has reached 14,000 acres of land, and it is now 89% contained. This fire also continues to burn, and it has destroyed almost 1,200 houses and killed 16 people so far. There’s speculation that a faulty wire or some sort of power line issue may have started this fire. 

There have also been many other smaller fires, including the Hughes, Hurst, Sunset, Auto, Lilac, and Clay. The Hurst fire started on January 7th and is 100% contained. It has impacted 800 acres in the area around Los Angeles and San Fernando. The Auto and the Sunset fires are much smaller, and they have burned the County of Ventura and the Hollywood Hills, respectively. The Lilac Fire is also 100% contained, it impacted small areas of San Diego. Most recently, the Clay fire started on January 21st and has been burning ever since, in the City of Riverdale. Lastly, the Hughes fire, burning in 2 counties, including north of Ventura County and Los Angeles County. It has impacted over 10,000 acres and climbing; it is only 14% contained. 

The immediate causes of the fire are unknown, but the authorities are investigating. Although there is speculation that a faulty wire or some sort of power line issue may have started this fire. 

Most people have not yet been allowed back into the neighborhoods to see what is left of their homes. This is because not only is it dangerous (there is some molten metal on the ground demonstrating how hot the fire was), but it is also toxic. The fumes from all the different materials burning are also a very big concern and cause severe respiratory problems and burns.  

Even though there are police in and around the destroyed areas there nine people have been arrested for looting. The police have sent officers to patrol target areas, and since no one but the police, firefighters, and press are allowed inside those areas, they can spot the thieves and arrest them fairly quickly. The California District Attorney, who was recently elected, called the incidents “appalling” and “a direct attack on our community during a time of unprecedented loss and vulnerability.”