At a Glance
- 31 people died and 16,200 structures burned in the Jan. 7, 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires
- A Florida man was arrested for the Palisades Fire; SoCal Edison equipment is eyed for Eaton
- $45 billion in insured losses and up to $76 billion total damage recorded
- Why it matters: One year later, only half of 5,900 rebuilding permits have been issued
One year after the deadliest wildfires in modern Los Angeles County history, communities are still wrestling with toxic debris, permit backlogs and the memories of a night that destroyed 16,200 structures and claimed 31 lives.
The Day Everything Burned
Jan. 7, 2025 began with forecasters warning of extreme Santa Ana winds. By sunrise, a hold-over ember in Pacific Palisades reignited, sending a 23,700-acre wall of flame toward the coast. Twelve hours later, a second blaze exploded above Altadena, torching 14,000 acres. Together, the Palisades and Eaton fires became California’s third- and second-most destructive on record.
Firefighters were grounded by 70-mph gusts as residents fled on foot, bicycles and grid-locked Sunset Boulevard. A sheriff’s deputy’s voice crackled over radios: “Get out of your car if you want to live.” Senior-center evacuees in wheelchairs rolled into darkness lit only by an eerie orange glow.
Who Started It
In October, federal agents arrested a Florida man for the Palisades Fire, labeling it a hold-over fire that smoldered unseen for days inside a dense root mat. LAFD Chief Jaime Moore admitted the department’s mop-up verification “needed to be stronger” and accepted responsibility.
No arrest has been made for the Eaton Fire. SoCal Edison told regulators there is a possible connection to its equipment; the investigation continues.
The Human Toll
The fires killed 31 people aged 32 to 95. Names released by the county coroner include Charles Mortimer, 84; Rory Sykes, 32; and Dalyce Curry, 95. The last confirmed victim, Kevin Devine, 54, died months later on April 2, 2025 from fire-related injuries.
Rebuilding by the Numbers
| Jurisdiction | Permit Applications | Permits Issued | % Approved |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of LA | 3,000 | 1,400 | 47% |
| LA County | 2,900 | 1,153 | 40% |
| Total | 5,900 | 2,553 | 43% |
More than 10,000 property owners opted into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers debris-removal program. The EPA cleared household hazardous waste first; the Corps then hauled away structural debris before homeowners could even apply to rebuild.
Price Tag
UCLA Anderson Forecast puts total losses between $11 billion and $76 billion, with insured losses at $45 billion. The range reflects ongoing disputes over ash-contaminated land values and business-interruption claims.
Toxic Aftermath
Episode 3 of News Of Los Angeles‘s docuseries Devastation to Determination reveals soil tests still showing heavy metals and dioxin hotspots near schools and playgrounds. Residents report respiratory issues during high-wind days when ash resuspends.
Stories of Resilience
- Altadena softball girls lost homes, churches and their elementary school, yet formed a travel team to reclaim normalcy
- Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas turned evacuation into an album recorded in three shelters
- Bus drivers ferried 1,400 seniors out of Altadena in 42 minutes during a zero-visibility exodus
What’s Still Missing
A year later, no unified command map has resolved the dispute over which agency controlled which city block during the first critical hours. Multiple lawsuits against the former LAFD chief, SoCal Edison and Los Angeles County are consolidating in state court, with trial dates not expected until 2027.
Key Takeaways
- 31 people died; 16,200 structures burned in two fires started on the same day
- Only 43% of rebuilding permits have been approved, slowing recovery
- $45 billion in insured losses make these fires the costliest in California history
- A Florida man faces federal charges for the Palisades Fire; SoCal Edison remains under investigation for the Eaton Fire
