In January 2025, Los Angeles — a city not typically associated with wildfire risk at that time of year — was struck by a series of fast-moving fires driven by powerful Santa Ana winds. The Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire were the most destructive, burning through Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and surrounding communities.
More than 12,000 structures were destroyed. Entire neighborhoods were reduced to ash. Dozens of people were killed. Hundreds of thousands were under evacuation orders at the peak of the crisis.
The Scale of Loss
The fires destroyed homes in some of Los Angeles' most iconic neighborhoods, including Pacific Palisades, affecting celebrities, longtime residents, and working families alike. Insurance companies faced enormous claims. Some began refusing to write new policies in California entirely.
The Climate Question
Scientists noted that the combination of prolonged drought, invasive vegetation, and extreme wind events — worsened by climate change — created the conditions for catastrophic fires even in winter. The LA fires added urgency to the climate conversation.
The images from LA were devastating. Our thoughts were with everyone who lost their homes and their communities.