Wildfires in the Los Angeles area have claimed at least 24 lives, displaced thousands, and destroyed over 12,000 structures, scorching an area larger than San Francisco. The fires, which began last Tuesday, have been fueled by strong Santa Ana winds expected to persist through midweek. Cal Fire reported that the Palisades, Eaton, Kenneth, and Hurst fires have burned approximately 160 square kilometers.
The cause of the fires remains unknown, but initial estimates suggest they could become the most expensive in U.S. history, with damages and economic losses projected between USD 135 billion and USD 150 billion, according to AccuWeather.
The fires have devastated densely populated neighborhoods, including Pacific Palisades and Altadena, forcing the evacuation of about 150,000 people and sheltering over 700 in nine facilities. By Sunday, Cal Fire reported the Palisades Fire was 11% contained, while the Eaton Fire was 27% contained.
Nearly 70,000 California customers were without power Sunday morning, with more than half in Los Angeles County. Significant damage to sewer, water, and power infrastructure has been reported.
The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings through Wednesday, cautioning that strong Santa Ana winds, which have been largely responsible for turning the wildfires into destructive infernos, could return. The region has experienced no significant rainfall in over eight months.
Among those affected are Hollywood stars Billy Crystal and Mandy Moore, and Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who lost their homes. The fires have also destroyed celebrity mansions, movie landmarks, and diverse communities in Altadena, historically a haven for Black families avoiding discriminatory housing practices.
Places of worship, including a mosque, a synagogue, a Catholic parish, and several Protestant churches, have also been lost to the flames.
Investigators have ruled out lightning as the cause and are now examining potential arson and utility line sparks as possible origins of the fires.
The fires have disrupted several events, including the Critics Choice Awards, which rescheduled for January 26. The Oscars extended the voting window and postponed nomination announcements. The NFL moved the Los Angeles Rams’ wild-card playoff game to Arizona, and the NBA postponed the Lakers’ game against the Hornets.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces criticism for her leadership during the crisis, with allegations of political blame and investigations surfacing. Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an investigation into why a key reservoir was out of service and why several hydrants were dry. Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley criticized the city’s leadership for underfunding firefighting efforts and the water shortage impacting the response.