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One year later: The Palisades and Eaton fires
LAist is marking the one-year anniversary of the January 2025 fires with coverage that includes the voices of fire survivors, stories of resilience and helpful resources.
In a matter of days in January 2025, L.A. was changed forever. Thirty-one people were killed. Two communities were devastated. Thousands of lives were thrown into upheaval and uncertainty.
Today, with rebuilding underway, fire survivors' resilience is on full display, even as they continue to struggle with frustrating and intractable problems.
On this page, you'll find LAist's coverage of the one-year anniversary of the Eaton and Palisades fires, a collection of stories that track the big issues that resulted from the fires, and resources for those still dealing with the effects.
The fires' toll
| Palisades Fire | Eaton Fire |
| 12 people dead | 19 people dead |
| 6,837 structures destroyed | 9,414 structures destroyed |
| 973 structures damaged | 1,074 structures damaged |
| 23,448 acres burned | 14,021 acres burned |
Featured reporting
![A white sign with red text reads "We [love] u beautiful Altadena" is affixed to a tree on a sidewalk. A two story home can be seen in the background with yellow caution tape hanging down from the roof towards the left.](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5fa461b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/3335x3335+833+0/resize/232x232!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F24%2F47%2F1345aa6b4b3b9c943ea58dbdad8a%2Fgettyimages-2193703889.jpg)
Big issues: Rebuilding
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
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The pink flowers we love so much are a fire hazard, and it may be time to part ways with them.
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SoCal Edison and LADWP are starting to put power lines underground, but they’ll need the community on board to do it.Listen 0:49
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A state law extended mortgage forbearance for up to a year, but survivors say there’s far more to do.Listen 0:41
Resources
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We talked to experts and looked at the fine print to better understand the utility's payout plan for Eaton Fire survivors. -
An expert explains what survivors of the Palisades and Eaton fires should consider before joining a fire-related lawsuit. -
A new UC Berkeley report finds that rebuilding all-electric could save homeowners time and money. -
We've got tips for navigating insurance claims in the wake of the Eaton and Palisades fires … without losing your mind. -
After their more typical wood-framed homes burned, some are now rebuilding with non-combustible materials. And they’re getting discounts from insurance companies. -
With building contractors in hot demand, the state licensing board is offering tips on how to find a reputable contractor. -
Six months after the Eaton and Palisades fires, survivors and experts offer advice and perspective at an LAist event. -
Native plants, succulents and mulch are important considerations. But you can also improve fire resilience by following some guidelines about spacing and irrigation. -
Your game plan for what happens next. LAist will be there every step of the way.
Big issues: Emergency response
A state oversight agency cited the MonteCedro retirement community in Altadena for failing to follow its emergency evacuation plan.
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All disasters are chaotic, but an LAist review of reports produced after two wildfire incidents found similar shortcomings and similar recommendations about how to fix them. -
911 recordings obtained by LAist shed light on why and how emergency planning continues to leave people with disabilities behind.
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Emergency alerts can save your life, but January's fires in L.A. highlighted the limits of cellphone warnings.Listen 0:46
Major milestones
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It's the final step in the rebuilding process. -
Jose Rodriguez lost the garage home where his son lived. He wasn’t trying to be the first to rebuild. But his experience helped him earn that distinction.Listen 0:41 -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings.Listen 4:00 -
The release comes the same day federal prosecutors charged a man in connection with starting an earlier blaze that became the Palisades Fire. -
The yearly badminton tradition among neighbors enters its 81st season — the first after the January fires.Listen 3:57 -
The Self-Realization Fellowship’s Lake Shrine, a historic interfaith outpost for spiritual seekers, has reopened after seven months. -
There’s been significant progress in the recovery effort, but there’s a long road ahead.
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