Southern California Wildfires Cause Widespread Destruction

Southern California faced massive devastation as two fast-moving wildfires erupted, forcing evacuations and causing significant damage.

The Palisades Fire broke out on the morning of January 7 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, quickly spreading east of Malibu. The fire burned 23,448 acres, injuring one firefighter and multiple civilians. At its peak, nearly 200,000 residents were under evacuation orders. The blaze damaged or destroyed more than 6,800 structures before being fully contained on Friday, according to Cal Fire.

Shortly after, another wildfire, the Eaton Fire, ignited in Altadena, near Pasadena, spreading through national forest lands north of Los Angeles. The fire scorched 14,021 acres, destroying 10,491 structures, before being fully contained on Friday.

The wildfires are part of a severe fire season in Southern California, with 331 wildfires reported, burning 57,637 acres and causing 29 fatalities (pending coroner confirmation). In total, 16,255 structures have been destroyed, and emergency teams have responded to 51,818 incidents.

Firefighters continue to battle extreme conditions, and affected communities remain in urgent need of support and assistance.