By Jan. 22, 2025, the star-studded streets of the Los Angeles metropolitan area were plagued by the deadly Palisades fire. 

As flames lit up the smoke-blanket-covered skies, hundreds of thousands of residents were forced to flee their houses, families, pets and the city they once called home. 

Southern California faced heightened fire warnings due to a well-forecast windstorm, doubled with critical fire weather conditions starting in early January. The National Interagency Fire Center and National Weather Service issued warnings of, “above normal significant fire potential,” with red flag warnings and “extremely critical” fire risks declared for multiple days. 

The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County scorched an estimated 23,713 acres, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. The inferno destroyed 6,380 structures and damaged an additional 788, underscoring the fire’s relentless reach.

Tragically, the human fatality toll continues to climb, with the death count from the Palisades Fire alone reaching 10. Combined with the devastation wrought by the Eaton Fire, the total fatalities have risen to at least 29, painting a sobering picture of the fires’ profound impact on lives and landscapes alike.

Holly Gonzales, the public information officer at Carlsbad Fire Department dove into how this wildfire season has been different in severity and impact compared to previous years in California history. 

“Due to significant rainfall last winter and spring, 2024 started relatively slow compared to previous years. However, the lack of measurable rainfall since then caused fuels to dry out significantly over the summer,” Gonzales said. 

Gonzales added how the infamous California Santa Ana winds can be the kerosene needed to erupt a city into flames. 

“Typically, Santa Ana winds arrive in the fall, and while we did experience several wind events during that time, the recent strong Santa Ana winds in January led to two devastating wildfires — the Palisades and Eaton fires,” said Gonzales. 

According to BBC Weather, Santa Ana winds occur when an extensive area of high pressure builds up over the interior of the Western U.S., centered around the Great Basin. These are often dry, desert areas, leading to a lack of moisture in the winds that arrive in California. 

As the winds flow clockwise around these high-pressure systems, they continue to move south and west into Southern California, where they slope over the inland Sierra Nevada mountains. With the air descending, it continues to dry while it accelerates in speed. Additionally, even mountain ranges close to home, such as Calavera Mountain, have experienced air quality risks. 

“The loss of vegetation severely impacts the watershed, increasing the risk of mudslides during heavy rains, especially in steep canyons. Many animals lived in the burned areas, so it’s safe to assume that much wildlife was lost,” said Gonzales. 

The Palisades fires not only disrupted the delicate balance of wildlife ecosystems but also profoundly impacted human lives. Not only that, but the amount of individuals evacuated reached heights of over 115,000 residents over 7 days. 

Theresa Kelly-Kimble is a junior at Sage Creek High School but moved from urban Los Angeles a short four years ago in 2021. Kelly-Kimble left behind cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles as the flames engulfed the city. 

“It’s very worrying knowing that most if not all of my family have been evacuated or torn from their homes,” Kelly-Kimble said. “My old community along with so many others has been destroyed through the tragedy.” 

“Our message is one of deep sympathy and compassion for everyone affected,” Gonzales said. “We hope for healing and recovery for all of those affected.”

Despite the tragedy, one point that shines brighter than the flames itself is the strength in numbers showcased by humanity banding together to rebuild the city of Los Angeles. 

As the windy, flame-fanning city of Los Angeles, California burns bright, its citizens begin to heal. Amidst the flames and ashes, a phoenix rises.