On Jan. 7, a series of fires erupted in the Los Angeles region, starting with the Pacific Palisades fire, which burnt over 23,000 acres. The Eaton fire followed near Pasadena, along with four other fires in the Los Angeles area. Altogether, over 40,000 acres of land have burned, and 29 lives have been lost, making this series of fires one of the most deadly and destructive in Los Angeles history. 

California has historically been a tinderbox for fires, ranking as the number one state in wildfires of all time. Los Angeles is known for its long and dry summers, making it not only a popular vacation destination but a wildfire hotspot.

“Living in Los Angeles, I always knew wildfires were a risk, but I didn’t know how bad they would get,” said Saman Zarbakhsh, a Los Angeles resident and family member of a North High student. “We all had to evacuate our homes, not knowing what was coming. Luckily, my home was still standing, but others I know weren’t as fortunate.”

Experts attribute the vastness of the fires to the abnormally large amounts of flammable vegetation due to floods last year. That burst of moisture led to plant growth, which has been slowly drying out due to the drought that followed. Strong Santa Ana winds from the inland desert rapidly spread the flames with gusts reaching up to 70 mph. 

Climate change has also been thought to be a factor, and with rising temperatures and prolonged dry seasons, wildfire frequency is only thought to increase in the coming years, unless severe change is made.

In response to the fire, the Los Angeles Fire Department requested reinforcements from the California government due to their initial inability to contain fires. Governor Gavin Newsom deployed the National Guard, mobilizing over 7,500 personnel. 

Incarcerated prisoners have also played a crucial role in extinguishing the fires. Over 1,100 inmates have been on the front lines of the fire, as a part of the prison firefighter program. Inmates in minimum security prisons in California can volunteer at “fire camps” to train to be certified firefighters. Some inmates are working for less than $30 for a 24-hour shift, sparking debate about the program’s ethics.

Criticism has also emerged over the state’s preparedness, with some residents and experts pointing to recent budget cuts to wildfire prevention programs. In 2023, California reduced its wildfire prevention funding by nearly $80 million, a move that some say left the region vulnerable. 

“It’s frustrating to see budget cuts to fire prevention when we know how dangerous wildfires can be,” said sophomore Vanessa Chen, a member of North High’s project Earth Club. “We need to be protecting our planet, not just trying to save a few extra dollars.”

The fires had the greatest impact on communities nearest to the fires such as Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Altadena and Pasadena, where hundreds of thousands of residents were forced to evacuate due to severe smoke and ash as well as burning homes.

Schools and businesses in affected communities were all temporarily shut down as the fires began to engulf them, with over 10,000 homes destroyed. At least 29 have, with over 100 people reported injured and thousands displaced from their homes with nowhere to go.

Fires were indiscriminate affecting both low-income and affluent areas. The homes of celebrity stars—like Paris Hilton, Leighton Meester, Tyra Banks and Adam Brody—have all burned down in the fires. While these stars have the resources to rebuild, thousands of other residents face a much harder recovery process. 

“I can’t even begin to imagine what these people must be going through,” junior Chanel Alexander said. “I hope that everyone struggling gets what they need.”

Insured losses are projected to exceed $75 billion and the total economic losses are expected to reach up to $164 billion, making this one of the costliest fires in California history. 

However, many residents are further struggling as major insurance carriers, including State Farm and Allstate, withdrew coverage for thousands of California homeowners in 2024 due to increasing wildfire risks. Those without coverage now face financial ruin, with limited federal state aid available. 

Air quality across Southern California reached hazardous levels at the peak of the fire, which led to a surge in respiratory-related emergency visits. Health experts believe that there will be long-term health impacts, suspecting a surge in cardiovascular and cancer-related diseases in the future.

The fires also devastated local wildlife, with millions of animals perishing and ecosystems left in ruins. Animals from the affected areas will struggle to recover as the fires have destroyed critical habitats, disrupted food sources, and left ecosystems in ruins.

After weeks of relentless firefighting, officials have confirmed that the fires are now fully contained. Crews continue to monitor hotspots to prevent flare-ups, while utility workers restore power and clear hazardous debris. Thousands of residents have begun returning to their neighborhoods, though many are met with unrecognizable landscapes of what were once homes and businesses.

Los Angeles has announced a comprehensive rebuilding plan, prioritizing affordable housing, infrastructure repairs and fire-resistant construction. Efforts are underway to secure additional state and federal funding, while community-driven initiatives aim to support small businesses affected by the destruction.

“We’re seeing more and more wildfires, and it’s becoming harder to ignore the link to climate change,” said Mr. Bambino, the North High Project Earth Club advisor. “It’s on all of us, from local governments to individuals, to make real changes to prevent these fires from worsening.”

In the wake of the devastation, officials are also pushing for stronger wildfire prevention strategies, including expanding controlled burns, improving emergency response systems and investing in drought-resistant vegetation to reduce fuel for future fires. Scientists emphasize the need for long-term climate resilience measures to prevent similar disasters from recurring at this scale.

The Los Angeles wildfires of 2025 will be remembered as one of the most devastating in the region’s history. While containment marks a critical turning point, the path to recovery will be long and challenging. As residents rebuild and officials reassess wildfire policies, one thing is clear: without significant changes in fire prevention and climate action, this disaster will not be the last.