Jan 15, 2025 - Energy & Climate

In photos: L.A. County endures a week of fires

Rebecca Falconer

Add Axios on Google

Add Axios on Google

A resident rides through smoke from a brush fire pushed by gusting Santa Ana winds on January 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California. A fire in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles has forced some residents to evacuate amid "life-threatening and destructive" winds. — A resident rides through smoke from the wind-driven Pacific Fire on Jan. 7, 2025 in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California. Hurricane-strength gusts have been recorded across the region. Photo: Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images

Some of the most destructive wildfires in California's history have killed at least 25 people in Los Angeles County, caused hundreds of thousands to evacuate and choked air quality across the region for the past week.

The big picture: The fires erupted in extremely dry conditions last Tuesday as powerful Santa Ana winds struck. As some assess damage in what's set to be among the most costly wildfire disasters ever in the U.S., parts of L.A. and Ventura counties face a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" red flag warning into Wednesday.

Timeline: Wildfires threaten Southern California

Jan. 7

A wind-driven fire burns on January 7, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Santa Ana wind is fueling wildfires in Los Angeles that have destroyed homes and forced the evacuation of thousands of people. — A wind-driven fire burns on January 7, 2025 in Los Angeles. Much of Southern California has endured a week of late-season critical fire weather. Photo: Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images

Elderly patients are quickly evacuated into emergency vehicles as embers and flames approach during the Eaton fire in Pasadena, California on January 7, 2025. — Elderly patients are quickly evacuated into emergency vehicles as embers and flames approach during the Eaton Fire in Pasadena on Jan. 7. Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

The Getty Villa art museum is threatened by the flames of the wind-driven Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California, January 7, 2025. A fast-moving brushfire in a Los Angeles suburb burned buildings and sparked evacuations Tuesday as "life threatening" winds whipped the region. — The Getty Villa art museum is threatened by the Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California, Jan. 7. Museum officials said both the Getty Center and Getty Villa remained safe from the blaze as of Jan. 13. The center in Brentwood will likely remain closed until Jan. 20 and the Getty Villa is closed until further notice, they said. Photo: David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images

Jan. 8

Firefighters battle the Eaton Fire on January 8, 2025 in Altadena, California. Powerful Santa Ana winds pushed the fire across more than 10,000 acres in less than 24 hours, destroying potentially hundreds of homes and killing five people so far. — Firefighters battle the Eaton Fire on Jan. 8 in Altadena, California. Powerful Santa Ana winds pushed the fire across more than 10,000 acres in less than 24 hours. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

A firefighting helicopter drops water as the Sunset Fire burns in the Hollywood Hills with evacuations ordered on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Over 1,000 structures have burned, with two people dead, in wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds across L.A. County. — A firefighting helicopter drops water as the Sunset Fire burns in the Hollywood Hills with evacuations ordered on Jan. 8. The Los Angeles blaze that threatened Hollywood landmarks is 100% contained. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, chats with California Governor Gavin Newsom while surveying damage during the Palisades Fire on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, in Pacific Palisades, CA. — L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom surveying damage during the Palisades Fire on Jan. 8 in Pacific Palisades. Both have been criticized by President-elect Trump and his allies for their response to the blazes. Photo: Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images

Jan 9.

In this aerial view taken from a helicopter, burned homes are seen from above during the Palisades fire near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California on January 9, 2025. Massive wildfires that engulfed whole neighborhoods and displaced thousands in Los Angeles remained totally — Burned homes are seen from a helicopter during the Palisades Fire near the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 9. Photo: Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images

Khaled Fouad (L) and Mimi Laine (R) embrace as they inspect a family member's property that was destroyed by Eaton Fire on January 09, 2025 in Altadena, California. — Khaled Fouad (left) and Mimi Laine embrace as they inspect a family member's property that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on Jan. 9 in Altadena, California. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Firefighters mop up hot spots near the major communications towers on Mount Wilson, as the Eaton Fire continues to burn on January 9, 2025 near Altadena, California. Multiple wildfires fueled by intense Santa Ana Winds are burning across Los Angeles County. — Firefighters mop up hot spots near the major communications towers on Mount Wilson, as the Eaton Fire continues to burn on Jan. 9 near Altadena, California. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

Jan. 10

Firefighting aircraft drops the fire retardant near homes during the Palisades Fire on Jan. 10 in Topanga, California. — Firefighting aircraft drops a fire retardant near homes during the Palisades Fire on Jan. 10 in Topanga, California. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Aftermath of fire along the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu. Officials said that at least 10 people were killed in all of the Los Angeles fires and 5,300 structures were destroyed in the Palisades fire. January 10, 2025, Los Angeles, California. — The aftermath of the Palisades Fire along the Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu on Jan. 10. Photo: David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images

A view of the burned auditorium at the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on January 10, 2025 in Altadena, California. The Eaton Fire has grown to over 13,000 acres and has destroyed many homes and businesses. — A view of the burned auditorium at the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on Jan. 10 in Altadena, California. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Jan. 11

A fire fighting helicopter drops water as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on January 11, 2025. — A firefighting helicopter drops water as the Palisades Fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood and Encino, California, on Jan. 11. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

People gather and sort through donated clothing and other items at a pop-up donation center for wildfire victims at Santa Anita race track on January 11, 2025 in Santa Anita, California. — People sort through donated items at a pop-up donation center for wildfire victims at Santa Anita race track on Jan. 11 in Santa Anita, California. Photo: Mario Tama/Getty Images

Firefighters move items in a backyard to create a defensible space while battling the Palisades Fire in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. — Firefighters move items in a backyard to create a defensible space while battling the Palisades Fire in the Mandeville Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles on Jan. 11. Photo: Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images

Jan. 12

A light illuminates a charred vehicle destroyed in the Palisades Fire, at sunset in Pacific Palisades, California, on January 12, 2025. — A charred vehicle destroyed in the Palisades Fire at Pacific Palisades on Jan. 12. Photo: David Swanson/AFP via Getty Images

A general view of destroyed houses in a neighborhood that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire which remains without electricity or water on January 12, 2025 in Altadena, California. — A general view of destroyed houses in a neighborhood of Altadena that was destroyed by the Eaton Fire on Jan. 12, leaving residents without power or water. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images

Gas company employees work in Malibu, California, after the Palisades Fire destroyed beach homes on January 12, 2025. — Gas company employees work in Malibu after the Palisades Fire destroyed beach homes on Jan. 12. Photo: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Jan. 13

A firefighter monitors the spread of the Auto Fire in Oxnard, Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 13 after it ignited that day. The blaze was 47% contained over 61 acres as of the evening of Jan. 15, per Cal Fire. — A firefighter monitors the spread of the Auto Fire in Oxnard, Ventura County, northwest of Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 13 after it ignited that day. The blaze was 47% contained over 61 acres as of the evening of Jan. 15, per Cal Fire. Photo: Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images

Patrick O'Neal sifts through his home after it was destroyed by the Palisades wildfire on January 13, 2025 in Malibu, California. — Patrick O'Neal sifts through his home after it was destroyed by the Palisades wildfire on Jan. 13 in Malibu. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Firefighters water down smoky embers as the fire ravaged Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School on January 13, 2025 in Altadena, California, where the devastating Eaton Fire caused widespread damage. — Firefighters water down smoky embers as the fire ravaged Sahag Mesrob Armenian Christian School on Jan. 13 in Altadena where the Eaton Fire caused widespread damage. Photo: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Jan. 14

Mexican Urban Search and Rescue comb through the ruins of an automobile and beachfront home where victims of the Los Angeles fires are reportedly buried, in Malibu, California, on January 14, 2025. — Mexican Urban Search and Rescue comb through the ruins of an automobile and beachfront home where victims of the Los Angeles fires are reportedly buried, in Malibu on Jan. 14. Photo: Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images

The Eaton Fire has displaced hundreds of pets, forcing many residents to seek refuge for their animals at the Pasadena Humane Society in Los Angeles, California, United States on January 14, 2025. — A dog at the Pasadena Humane Society in Los Angeles on Jan. 14. The Eaton Fire has forced many residents to seek refuge for their animals at the shelter, which is currently housing dozens of pets as evacuation orders remain in effect. Officials are urging affected pet owners to contact the shelter for assistance and are seeking donations to support the influx of animals during this critical time. Photo: Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images

An overhead pole camera image shows wildfire damage to an Altadena Drive street sign and home destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Los Angeles County, California on January 14, 2025. Powerful winds on January 14 threatened to rekindle and whip up major fires. — An overhead pole camera image shows wildfire damage to an Altadena Drive street sign and home destroyed by the Eaton Fire in Altadena. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images

Add Axios on Google

What to read next