California Wildfires Devastate Communities, Claim Lives

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Two massive wildfires, the Eaton and Palisades fires, have ravaged Southern California, consuming nearly 40,000 acres, destroying over 12,000 structures, and claiming at least two dozen lives since igniting on Jan. 7, 2025. The fires, fueled by hurricane-strength Santa Ana winds, rank among the top 10 most destructive wildfires in California history.

The Eaton fire, which began in Altadena, has burned more than 14,000 acres, while the Palisades fire, starting in Pacific Palisades, has scorched over 17,000 acres. As of Jan. 17, the Eaton fire was 45% contained, and the Palisades fire was 31% contained, according to CalFire.

In Altadena, the fire decimated homes, businesses, and landmarks, including Charles S. Farnsworth Park and the historic North Lake Avenue business district. Maral Nazarian, 60, watched in tears as her childhood home burned. “We never expected this. We thought we were far enough from the hills,” she said.

In Pacific Palisades, the fire engulfed coastal landmarks, schools, and churches, including the Getty Villa and Palisades Charter High School. Tatiana Prophet, a resident, described fleeing with her 10-year-old son as flames approached their home. “I didn’t even grab my purse. I just started running,” she said.

CalFire estimates more than 7,000 structures were destroyed in the Eaton fire and over 5,000 in the Palisades fire. Aerial surveys and ground inspections are ongoing, with officials cautioning that the full extent of the damage is not yet known.

Evacuation orders remain in place for thousands of residents, many of whom are staying in shelters, hotels, or with family and friends. The cause of the fires is under investigation, with a focus on a Southern California Edison site near the origin of the Eaton fire.

As recovery efforts continue, officials urge residents to use L.A. County’s damage maps to assess property conditions and begin insurance claims. The maps, updated daily, provide detailed information on damage levels and inspection reports.