California Wildfires Devastate Communities, Claim 27 Lives

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Unprecedented wildfires have ravaged Southern California, killing at least 27 people and destroying thousands of homes and businesses. The Eaton and Palisades fires, which began on Jan. 7, 2025, have consumed nearly 40,000 acres in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, ranking among the most destructive in state history.

As of Jan. 17, the Eaton fire was 45% contained, while the Palisades fire was 31% contained. Aerial surveys estimate more than 12,000 structures have been destroyed, with CalFire teams on the ground assessing damage building by building. The fires have left communities in shock, displacing tens of thousands of residents and gutting landmarks, schools, and businesses.

“We never expected this. We thought we were far enough from the hills,” said Maral Nazarian, 60, an Altadena resident who watched her home burn. Altadena, a working-class neighborhood, saw its first main business district on North Lake Avenue destroyed, including longtime fixtures like Altadena Hardware and Fox’s Restaurant.

In Pacific Palisades, the fire consumed coastal landmarks and homes, leaving residents like Tatiana Prophet scrambling to evacuate. “I didn’t even grab my purse,” Prophet said. “I just started running.” The Palisades fire, fueled by hurricane-strength Santa Ana winds, grew to over 17,000 acres within two days, engulfing neighborhoods and the Pacific Coast Highway.

Firefighters faced extreme conditions, with winds reaching 100 mph and hydrants running dry. “There’s nothing you can do to suppress the fire at that time,” said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone. Officials are investigating the cause of both fires, with a focus on a Southern California Edison site near the Palisades fire origin.

Residents remain displaced, sheltering in places like the Pasadena Convention Center, unsure when they can return to assess the damage. “It’s devastating,” said Gonzalo M., an Altadena resident who lost his childhood home. “You work so hard for all this stuff. It’s terrible.”