What to Know About the Devastation from the Los Angeles-area Fires 2025
As Los Angeles continues to battle the wildfires that killed at least 24 people, destroyed 12,000 homes, scorched grounds of 40,000 acres of land, and forced millions of people to evacuate, the major question that arises now is what ignited these blazes.
The Palisades fire, which is the largest and most destructive, started on January 7 and has burned over 23,700 acres, while the Eaton fire, which began on the same day, has burned over 14,100 acres. The Hurst fire, Lidia fire, Kenneth fire, and Sunset fire started on January 7 and 8, with the Lidia fire and Sunset fire being fully contained, and the Hurst fire being 89% contained.
The situation with the fire in Los Angeles is still active, but firefighters have been making progress in containing the blaze. The fire has destroyed 1,105 structures and damaged 179, with 12,250 structures still threatened. Fortunately, firefighters have been working tirelessly to suppress the fire, and their efforts have led to some success in extinguishing fireplaces and preventing further damage.
In terms of specific incidents, there have been several structure fires reported in the Los Angeles area, including a Structure Fire in the Boyle Heights neighbourhood, which was knocked down by firefighters after 26 minutes ². Another incident involved a Brush Fire in the Pacific Palisades area, which led to evacuation orders and warnings for nearby residents ¹.
Despite the challenges, firefighters have been making progress in controlling the fires, and some evacuation orders have been downgraded to warnings. However, the situation is still volatile, and residents are advised to remain vigilant and follow evacuation instructions if necessary. The Los Angeles Fire Department is working closely with other agencies to respond to the fires and provide support to affected communities.
Cause of Fires
The Los Angeles fires are a devastating disaster, and investigators are still trying to determine the exact cause of the fire eruption. However, it’s believed that a combination of extreme weather patterns, including prolonged dry spells, low humidity, and strong Santa Ana winds, created the perfect conditions for the fires to spread rapidly. The fires started at multiple places, with six major fires reported, including the Palisades fire, Eaton fire, Hurst fire, Lidia fire, Kenneth fire, and Sunset fire. 
The Palisades fire, which is the largest and most destructive, started on January 7 and has burned over 23,700 acres, while the Eaton fire, which began on the same day, has burned over 14,100 acres. The Hurst fire, Lidia fire, Kenneth fire, and Sunset fire started on January 7 and 8, with the Lidia fire and Sunset fire being fully contained, and the Hurst fire being 89% contained.
Latest Wind Forecast for Los Angeles
The wind forecast for Los Angeles is looking pretty intense, with strong Santa Ana winds expected to resume early this week, from Monday to Wednesday. These winds can gust up to 60-80 mph, which is pretty similar to the initial event that allowed the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst Fires to spread rapidly. The AccuWeather Local StormMax for this wind event is 100 mph, and it’s most likely to occur in the higher terrain and mountains surrounding the Los Angeles basin.
In terms of specific wind speeds, the forecast is calling for winds to vary between 2.2 and 6.7 mph, with gusts up to 8.9 mph. However, it’s worth noting that these winds can be quite gusty, and the direction is expected to be from the northeast to the east, which can make firefighting efforts extremely challenging ¹.
Positive News
The good news is that the wind is expected to subside from late Tuesday into Wednesday, and the direction may change to onshore, which could increase humidity levels and reduce the risk of new fires ¹. However, it’s still important to be aware of the potential for strong winds and to take necessary precautions to stay safe.
Extreme Weather The Main Culprit
It’s worth noting that the investigation into the cause of the fires is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the exact origin and cause of each fire. However, the extreme weather conditions and the presence of dry vegetation played a significant role in the rapid spread of the fires ³.
Santa Ana Winds
Santa Ana winds are strong, extremely dry katabatic winds that originate inland and affect coastal Southern California and northern Baja California. They’re known for bringing hot, dry weather, and are often associated with critical fire weather conditions. These winds can be quite destructive, fanning wildfires and causing damage to properties. The Santa Ana winds typically occur when a high-pressure system forms over the Great Basin, causing the air to flow downhill and out to sea, picking up speed and heat as it goes.
The winds are most common during the autumn season, often from September to November, but can occur at other times of the year as well. About 10 to 25 Santa Ana wind events occur annually, with each event lasting anywhere from one to seven days. The longest recorded Santa Ana event was a 14-day wind in November 1957 ¹. During this season, the Santa Ana winds can be particularly strong, with gusts reaching up to 97 mph, making them a significant concern for firefighters and residents alike [5].
It’s worth noting that the Santa Ana winds have been a part of the ecosystem of the Los Angeles Basin for over 5,000 years, and have been recognized and reported in English-language records as a weather phenomenon in Southern California since at least the mid-nineteenth century ¹. The name “Santa Ana winds” is derived from the Santa Ana Canyon in Orange County, one of the many locations where the winds blow intensely ¹[7]. Overall, the Santa Ana winds are a significant weather phenomenon in Southern California, and their occurrence during the fire, the affected people of Los Angeles will indeed face significant challenges in rehabilitating and reconstructing their houses and business places. The process of rebuilding and recovering will be lengthy and require a lot of effort from the government, insurance companies, and the community.
The Rehabilitation Process/planning in the Offing
Governor Gavin Newsom has already taken a step in the right direction by signing an executive order to streamline the rebuilding process, which includes waiving certain permitting requirements and extending protections against price gouging ¹. This move is expected to help victims of the fire rebuild their homes and businesses more quickly and efficiently.
In terms of insurance companies, many of them have already started reaching out to policyholders to assess the damage and provide assistance with the claims process. Additionally, the government has announced plans to provide financial assistance to those affected by the fire, including low-interest loans and grants to help with rebuilding and recovery efforts.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works is also playing a crucial role in the reconstruction process, providing assistance with rebuilding and permitting, as well as offering resources for post-fire mud and debris flow information ². Furthermore, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health is providing referrals for mental health counselling and crisis intervention to help those affected by the fire cope with the trauma and stress.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is also involved in the recovery efforts, providing assistance to residents who have been impacted by the fire. Individuals can apply for FEMA assistance online, through the FEMA app, or by calling the FEMA helpline ².
Road to Recovery/Rebuilding Ahead
Overall, while the road to recovery will be long and challenging, it’s heartening to see the government, insurance companies, and the community coming together to support those affected by the fire. ¹ ²
Survivors
According to the latest reports, despite the devastating fires, some houses and buildings managed to escape the damage. It’s estimated that around 12,401 structures were either destroyed or damaged, but this also means that a significant number of buildings remained intact. The exact number of houses and buildings that survived the fires is not yet available, but it’s clear that some areas were more fortunate than others.
The reasons for some houses and buildings remaining intact are varied. In some cases, it was due to the effective evacuation efforts and the quick response of the firefighters, who were able to contain the fires and prevent them from spreading to certain areas. In other cases, the topography of the land played a role, with some areas being naturally more protected from the fires due to their location.
Additionally, some homes and buildings had defensible spaces around them, which helped to prevent the fires from spreading. This includes things like cleared vegetation, fire-resistant materials, and proper landscaping. It’s also possible that some structures had fire-resistant features, such as fireproof roofs or walls, which helped them to withstand the flames.
It’s worth noting that the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire were the two largest fires, and they were responsible for the majority of the damage. However, even in these areas, there were some homes and buildings that managed to escape the damage, often due to a combination of the factors mentioned above ¹.
Role of Wood Structured Buildings 
Wood is a highly combustible material, and it can indeed catch fire quickly, contributing to the rapid spread of fires. The fact that many houses and buildings are constructed with wood as a major component can make them more vulnerable to fires.
There are several reasons why wood is prone to catching fire:
Low ignition temperature: Wood has a relatively low ignition temperature, which means it can catch fire at a relatively low temperature.
High surface area: Wood has a high surface area, which allows it to absorb oxygen and heat quickly, making it more prone to combustion.
Dryness: Wood that is dry and seasoned is more prone to catching fire than wood that is green or moist.
Resin content: Some types of wood, such as pine and fir, contain resin, which can make them more prone to catching fire.
When a fire starts in a wooden building, it can spread quickly due to the following factors:
Ember transfer: Embers from the initial fire can be carried by winds or convection currents to other parts of the building, igniting new fires.
Conduction: Heat from the fire can be conducted through the wood, causing it to ignite in other areas.
Radiation: Heat from the fire can be radiated to other parts of the building, causing them to ignite.
However, it’s worth noting that modern building codes and construction techniques have made significant improvements in reducing the risk of fires in wooden buildings. For example:
Fire-resistant materials: Many modern buildings use fire-resistant materials, such as fire-treated wood, to reduce the risk of fires.
Sprinkler systems: Sprinkler systems can help to extinguish fires quickly, reducing the risk of damage and spread.
Fire-stopping: Fire-stopping materials and techniques can help to prevent the spread of fires through walls and floors.
In the case of the recent fires in Los Angeles, a combination of factors likely contributed to the rapid spread of the fires, including:
Strong winds: The strong Santa Ana winds in the area likely contributed to the rapid spread of the fires.
Dry conditions: The dry conditions in the area, combined with the hot temperatures, created a perfect storm for fires to spread quickly.
Topography: The hilly and mountainous terrain in the area can make it difficult for firefighters to access and contain fires.
Overall, while wood can be a contributing factor to the spread of fires, it’s not the only factor, and modern building codes and construction techniques can help to reduce the risk of fires in wooden buildings.
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