Since Tuesday, January 7, several areas within the state of California have undergone a severe wave of fatal fires. Known for significant affluence, countless celebrities and a dry, airy climate, the Golden State stands as no stranger to publicity and dire weather conditions. However, the vast destruction caused by the chaotic fires — as well as the quantity of influential people and events that now reside in limbo — currently results in noteworthy anxiety around California and the U.S.
“From what I’ve seen on the news and social media, the fires are really upsetting to California residents, especially because they are occurring due to environmental issues and neglect. It was really scary seeing how quickly the fires have spread to so many civilian areas, especially with the high winds. At first, my friend had told me that her school was canceled due to the fires and I told her mine was canceled due to snow, and we thought it was an interesting contrast. But now I’ve seen how she’s literally in an evacuation warning zone and can see crazy clouds of smoke from her house, so it really puts a damper on the irony,” magnet senior Catalina Santiago said.
Various evacuation zones have emerged in recent days, with notable embers rising all across Los Angeles County. Areas like the Pacific Palisades, Eaton, Acton and Sylmar currently face boisterous flames that have disrupted terrain and destroyed property. So far, the estimated damages stand around $52 to $57 million, with thousands of homes, businesses and historical sites contributing to the costs. In areas such as Malibu, properties with a median value of $2 million also brightly burn, with neighborhoods seemingly crumbling to the touch. Since 2025 began, over 27,000 acres of land and resources have faced severe destruction.
Several schools and services have suffered significant destruction since the fires began. According to the Los Angeles Times, various health hazards resulted in two dozen Los Angeles school districts shutting down classes, with families unsure of when to return. Iconic locations such as the Palisades Charter High School, Topanga Ranch Motel, The Bunny Museum and The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center have fallen due to the severity of the flames, with several landmarks hanging in the balance. The homes of several celebrities such as Mandy Moore, Paris Hilton, Leighton Meester, Yolanda Hadid and Jhene Aiko fell victim to the aggressive embers.
“Because I went on a short trip [to California], we only really focused on seeing the ‘touristy’ places such as the Hollywood sign and the Hollywood Boulevard. Watching the news and seeing fires brutally tear up homes and communities is heartbreaking, especially because the Los Angeles area is so sacred to so many. The atmosphere in Los Angeles is truly irreplaceable and every landmark and person plays a part in that, so knowing that these fires are destroying this unique world and impacting so many lives devastates me,” magnet senior Leika Badstibner said.
Currently, Southern California may experience dangerous weather conditions through Tuesday, January 14. The death toll has risen from five to ten since January 9, with over 9,000 structures burnt to the ground. Evacuation and animal shelters in various parts of California represent safe havens for those who no longer own a place to live; for non-Californians, donations to nonprofits like The California Fire Foundation and The Salvation Army’s Emergency Disaster Fund can also aid in relief efforts.
