One Year Later: The Aftermath of Los Angeles' Twin Wildfires

Thu Jan 08 2026 18:19:39 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A year on from the disastrous Palisades and Eaton wildfires, Los Angeles grapples with rebuilding and the profound impacts on its community. Thousands of structures destroyed, lives lost, and ongoing recovery efforts paint a stark picture of resilience amidst devastation.

On January 6, 2024, twin wildfires erupted in Los Angeles County, leading to catastrophic destruction. As the anniversary approaches, communities are still reeling from the consequences, with a notable death toll, extensive property damage, and a slow rebuilding process marked by challenges. Key statistics highlight the impact of the infernos and efforts underway for recovery.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A year after twin infernos tore across opposite ends of Los Angeles County, the scars are still visible. Thousands of homes were reduced to rubble, with rebuilding slow, and the death toll showed how a wildfire under extreme weather conditions can turn catastrophic.

The Palisades and Eaton fires ignited within hours of each other on January 6, 2024. These figures show how fast the disaster unfolded and the toll it left behind:

90 miles per hour

The speed of predicted wind gusts in mountain areas, equivalent to 145 kilometers per hour. Red Flag warnings were issued January 6 for severe wildfire danger as Southern California was buffeted by the region's notorious Santa Ana winds. The region was tinder dry after months of little or no rain. The National Weather Service warned it could be a life-threatening wind event. Firefighting resources were pre-positioned in areas deemed to be at especially high risk.

4 hours

How long it took for a small wildfire to explode in size. At 10:30 a.m. reports began calling about a small blaze on a ridge in LA’s upscale Pacific Palisades neighborhood, where crews had previously responded to a fire on New Year’s Day. A large plume of dark smoke became visible from miles away.

As firefighting resources were focused on the Palisades, another blaze sparked about 30 miles (48 kilometers) to the east. The Eaton Fire started at 6:17 p.m., and all firefighting aircraft in the county were soon grounded due to high winds. By 8 p.m. it had doubled in size.

59 square miles

The amount of land charred by the two infernos, equivalent to 155 square kilometers, roughly the size of San Francisco.

31 lives

The number of people who died — 19 in the Eaton Fire and 12 in the Palisades Fire.

31 days

How long the Palisades Fire burned before it was extinguished. The inferno, which covered 37 square miles, actually grew out of an earlier fire from January 1.