Southern California Wildfire Outbreak
On January 7th, 2025, a Santa Ana wind event delivering hurricane-force winds prompted critical and extreme fire weather conditions for Southern California. These strong winds fueled the ignition and rapid growth of deadly wildfires in the Los Angeles metro area.
The Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire, and Kenneth Fire have destroyed over a thousand structures and have resulted in multiple deaths. Thousands of residents have been evacuated away from the growing flames.
The Palisades Fire, which ignited in the LA neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, became the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history.
On the morning of January 22, 2025, about two weeks after the initial fires, persisting critical fire weather conditions allowed a new wildfire to ignite north of Los Angeles. The Hughes Fire quickly spread, scorching over 10,000 acres within the first 24 hours and prompting evacuations in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
As of January 24, 2025, the Palisades Fire has grown to over 23,000 acres and is 77% contained, the Eaton Fire has burned over 14,000 acres and is 95% contained, and the Hughes Fire has reached over 10,000 acres and is 56% contained.
For more information on the LA wildfires, visit the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Satellite imagery of this event:
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