The Tartan

The Eaton fire began on Jan. 7 in Eaton Canyon with the Palisades fire beginning on Jan. 7 in the Highlands neighborhood. The high wind levels resulting from The Santa Ana phenomena — a weather condition where dry and hot winds blow in from desert regions — only worsened the situation. When high-pressure systems push air toward Southern California and through Los Angeles the wind speeds quickly accelerate while simultaneously warming the air. This combined with dry vegetation led to a high risk of fire weather in Los Angeles when the Eaton and Palisades fires began. While the Santa Ana winds played a role in spreading the fire by quickly catching and blowing embers, the winds also played a role in hindering the firefighters’ work to put out the fires. There was a period when the winds were so strong that the firefighters were unable to provide any air support in the firefight or drop-down tankers to fight the flames from above. The death toll from these fires as of Jan. 16 is reported as at least 27 according to the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner.

The resulting damage from the Eaton and Palisades fires includes nearly 40,000 acres affected and, according to reporters at NBC, “at one point there were close to 200,000 people under evacuation orders.” An estimated 16,000 homes and buildings have been damaged by the fires including businesses and schools. Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) is one of the school districts affected by these fires where, in many cases, employees and students lost not only homes but their schools as well.

The increasing frequency and severity of fires in California have contributed to an insurance crisis for Californians who are finding insurance to be unaffordable, or, in some cases, unavailable. Since 2019, more than 100,000 Californians have been left without insurance after being refused coverage by insurance companies. 

An estimate from AccuWeather places total damage and loss between $135 billion and $150 billion. Daniel Swain, a climatologist at the University of California asserted that “the Palisades Fire could become the costliest wildfire in history because of the number of buildings that have been destroyed and as the structures rank among the nation’s most expensive homes.” 

Strong efforts were made by firefighters in Los Angeles as well as from across the country and world to contain the Eaton and Palisades fires. Arizona, Texas, Oregon, Mexico, Canada, and Ukraine all dispatched personnel to the firefight. Oregon State Fire Marshall Mariana Ruiz-Temple was among the many who sent out aid to California. Mariana said, “We understand the gravity of the disaster taking place in California and are using the power of the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System to give our neighbors additional tools to combat these wildfires and protect people and homes.” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky instructed the Prime Minister to prepare to deploy of 150 firefighters to California. 

Los Angeles Major Karen Bass stated in a press release, “The fires devastated people’s homes and workplaces alike, extending the direct impact to families across Los Angeles. My pledge is to do everything possible to help people rebuild their homes and their livelihoods.” Bass also announced a plan to remove debris from the impacted areas. Los Angeles’ response to the fire has been criticized and the Eaton and Palisade fires will no doubt inform the way that voters in California view policies regarding preparing for future fire emergencies and impact their choices on the ballot. In Los Angeles, some are calling for Fire Chief Kristen Crowley to resign. 

The official cause of the fire has yet to be determined.  However, now that the fires are almost completely contained, efforts to rebuild are beginning. The heroic efforts of the firefighters in Los Angeles are being heralded across the country. Residents of Los Angeles hope the city will be able to rebuild stronger and that those in need will receive necessary aid