A red flag warning is in effect across Los Angeles and Ventura counties from Monday at 10 a.m. PST to Tuesday at 10 p.m., according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Dangerous low humidity, coupled with the return of the Santa Ana winds gusting over 50 mph in certain locations, has created a "particularly dangerous situation," significantly increasing the risk of rapidly spreading fires.
Estimates of the economic impact have worsened as the fires rage on. JPMorgan analysts predict total losses could reach $50 billion, with $20 billion attributed to insured losses, making it potentially the most expensive disaster in U.S. history. Moody's highlighted the severity due to the high-value properties in the affected areas, including substantial commercial property losses.
The fires have been fueled by extremely gusty winds, prolonged drought conditions, and low humidity. Southern California is experiencing the effects of La Niña, a climate phenomenon associated with regional droughts. Los Angeles has seen less than a tenth of an inch of rain since May, exacerbating fire risks. Wind gusts peaked at 99 mph near Altadena, with some mountain and foothill areas experiencing gusts of up to 100 mph. The infamous Santa Ana winds, warm and dry gusts blowing from inland regions like Nevada and Utah toward the coast, have intensified the fires. Cal Fire is actively investigating the causes of individual fires across Los Angeles County.
The human toll has been devastating. The Los Angeles County medical examiner confirmed 27 deaths, including 17 from the Eaton Fire and 10 from the Palisades Fire. At least 16 individuals remain missing, a number that may rise as more information becomes available.
High-profile figures have also been impacted. Paris Hilton lost her Malibu home, while Billy Crystal and his wife Janice lost their longtime Pacific Palisades residence. Jamie Lee Curtis and Mark Hamill were forced to evacuate, with Curtis pledging $1 million for relief efforts. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have contributed money and supplies, and Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and his wife Priscilla have pledged donations. The NFL has also contributed $5 million to wildfire relief.
Amid the chaos, rumors about the destruction of the Hollywood sign circulated on social media, but authorities confirmed it remains intact. Several Los Angeles schools were temporarily closed, but most have since reopened. Universities like Pepperdine resumed in-person classes on January 21. The wildfires disrupted entertainment events, with the Oscars’ voting deadline postponed and nominee announcements delayed. However, the Grammys are still scheduled for the first weekend of February, with a focus on fundraising for wildfire relief.
The fires have also affected the sports world. An NFL wild card game between the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings was relocated to Arizona, and several NHL, NBA, and college basketball games were postponed. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has not faced significant disruption, though some flight delays have occurred.
Criticism of the government’s local response has emerged. Tech mogul Elon Musk blamed poor governance, citing inadequate water management and restrictive regulations preventing fire breaks and brush clearing. Former President Donald Trump echoed these sentiments, calling local leadership "grossly incompetent" in handling the disaster.
As California grapples with this devastating wildfire season, the full extent of the human and economic toll continues to unfold, leaving a lasting impact on the region.
