The fires, which erupted earlier this week, have devastated neighbourhoods and left the nation’s second-largest city on high alert.

The Palisades Fire, the most destructive in Los Angeles’ history, has obliterated more than 5,300 structures, while the Eaton Fire has accounted for over 5,000.

A firefighter sets a backburn in front of the advancing Kenneth Fire in the West Hills section of Los Angeles, Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Both fires rank among California’s five most destructive wildfires, with damage estimates reaching as high as $150 billion.

Entire communities in scenic areas like Pacific Palisades and Malibu have been reduced to ash, leaving behind only smouldering rubble and charred remnants of landmarks like the Will Rogers Western Ranch House and Topanga Ranch Motel.

Efforts to contain the fires have been met with significant challenges. Hurricane-force winds earlier in the week spread embers that ignited hillsides, while dry conditions have kept the flames alive.

A family embraces in front of their destroyed home in Altadena, California, on Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Although calmer winds allowed some progress, meteorologists warn that this respite may be brief. Adding to the challenges, a firefighting plane was grounded after being struck by a civilian drone, an act that is both illegal and dangerous.

The fires have not only destroyed homes but also ravaged vital community structures, including schools, places of worship, and businesses. The Hollywood Hills fire, which threatened the iconic Hollywood Bowl, was successfully subdued with water drops from aircraft, allowing evacuation orders to be lifted.

“All our memories, all our sentimental attachments, things that were gifted from generation to generation to generation are now gone,” one of the victims told the media.

Homes are seen burned while a few still stand, Thursday, January 9, 2025, in the Pacific Palisades section of Los Angeles.

Among the 10 confirmed fatalities are Anthony Mitchell, a 67-year-old amputee, and his son, Justin, who had cerebral palsy. They were unable to evacuate in time. Cadaver dogs are combing through the rubble as officials fear the death toll may rise.

California’s escalating wildfire crisis is linked to climate change, which has extended fire seasons and created conditions for larger and more destructive blazes.

The state has experienced an increase in so-called "weather whiplash," where wet winters encourage vegetation growth, only for subsequent dry periods to turn it into tinder. This cycle has made January wildfires—once rare—a grim new reality.

While firefighters made significant gains on Thursday, containment remains elusive. Dry winds, including the notorious Santa Ana winds, are forecast to return, complicating efforts. The state’s prolonged drought and the lack of substantial rainfall since May have exacerbated the situation, leaving Los Angeles uniquely vulnerable to these disasters.

The ruins of a burned property in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, Thursday, January 9, 2025.

As evacuation shelters fill and residents face the loss of homes and livelihoods, curfews have been imposed to prevent looting. The psychological strain on those affected is immense, further compounded by a mistaken countywide evacuation warning sent to millions.

With two of the fires now ranked among the most destructive in California’s history, Los Angeles faces a long road to recovery.