Areas of the Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon were negatively hit by dangerous wildfires and over-bearing winds ranging from 80-100 mph. Homes and other various buildings have been engulfed by huge burning flames, causing the area to be almost fully covered in smoke.
Pacific Palisades:
A strong wildfire erupted on Tuesday, January 7, southeast of Palisades Drive, triggering a mass destruction and forcing residents to evacuate. Though the fire was detected on the 7th, officials suspect it may have arose earlier.
The fire quickly spread, consuming more than 23,000 acres of land (roughly 37 square miles) in Los Angeles County and threatening over 13,000 structures. Approximately 1,200 structures were destroyed within the community and 200 damaged.
About 85,000 civilians have been issued evacuation orders, zones reaching from the Santa Monica mountains and around Encino Reservoir to the Getty Center. To protect the public safety, a special curfew was implemented on the daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in hopes to minimize heavy exposure.
According to WXII-TV news, eight out of 24 civilian fatalities appear to have been caused by the conditions. Aside from the destruction, an additional three injuries were confirmed , highlighting the threats of the wildfires’ true dangers.
As of January 15, firefighting crews have contributed to the containment, bringing the level to 19%. However as the fire continued to be fueled by the heavy winds and dry conditions, authorities were continuously on the lookout.
Eaton Canyon
The Fires ignited on January 7, 2025, and rapidly escalated into what is now said to be one of California’s most devastating wildfires. The fire’s point origin, which was centered near Altadena, has devastated surrounding cities.
The Eaton fire has destroyed over 14,000 acres and severely damaged more than 4,627 structures including residential homes, businesses, and vital community buildings, which has caused extensive damage to surrounding communities.
Evacuation orders have been issued for several areas, including Altadena and Kinneloa Mesa. Over 17,000 people have evacuated as the Eaton Fire continued to grow as one of California’s deadliest.
Eaton has taken at least 16 lives and destroyed numerous homes. The blaze continued to cause widespread damage due to dry and windy conditions. Officials have warned that additional casualties were likely.
As of January 15, The Eaton Fire was 45% contained as firefighters battled dry conditions and challenging terrain. Evacuation orders remained in effect, and residents were urged to follow safety directives.
If you’d like to support and donate to those affected by the wildfires and the resulting damages, here are some resources you can contribute to:
