Photo Credit: MMPhoto21 for Adobe Stock
The Hughes Fire, a new blaze that broke out Wednesday morning in Northern Los Angeles County, already has burned more than 10,000 acres due to dangerously high winds, and has triggered evacuation orders for approximately 50,000 residents in the Castaic area. The fire was only 14 percent contained as of Thursday morning, according to Cal Fire.
A smaller blaze, the Sepulveda Fire, has burned 40 acres but is being watched closely because of its proximity to the exclusive Bel Air residential area near UCLA. It hasn't been contained at all.
Firefighters have made significant progress on the most destructive fires burning since last week. The largest, the Palisades Fire, has burned nearly 23,500 acres but is now 72 percent contained and growth of the blaze has been halted. The Eaton Fire, which has burned more than 14,000 acres, is now 95 percent contained.
At least 27 people have died, and it's estimated that more than 12,000 buildings have been significantly damaged or completely destroyed, making this potentially the costliest wildfire in U.S. history. This week, real-estate information company CoStar estimated that about 374 commercial buildings have been destroyed, valued at nearly $2 billion.
A city grateful for the outpouring of support
Adam Burke, president and CEO of the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, sent a letter to the meetings community last week, saying, "As you know personally, our industry has demonstrated extraordinary
resiliency, consistently supporting communities in a time of need. That has
been on full display over the past week, with the tourism and hospitality sectors acting
swiftly to meet the needs of Angelenos and visitors alike. From
securing hotel accommodations and support for those displaced, to the
restaurant community stepping up to provide meals during an urgent time of
need, their efforts have been a testament to L.A.’s compassion and solidarity. At the
heart of our community are Angelenos — our angels — who know that better days lie
ahead.
"We are also profoundly grateful to our customers and the
events community, who remain steadfast in their commitment to Los Angeles and
know that they can support recovery efforts best by keeping their meetings and events in L.A. Our hotels, suppliers, and the Los Angeles Convention
Center team continue to operate safely and expertly deliver your meeting needs.
It has never been more important to support our City of Angels, including the
540,000 Angelenos and over 1,000 local businesses who depend on tourism for
their livelihoods. What’s more, we are working to identify meaningful ways that
groups can participate in volunteer opportunities on the ground in the coming
weeks and months. As always, please reach out to our LA
Tourism sales & services team as your dedicated resource."
Convention center is open
The Los Angeles Convention Center issued a statement on its website that venue operations are unaffected by the county's wildfires:
"At this time, the Center is fully operational and the events on our events page will move forward as scheduled unless otherwise stated. For attendees or participants with questions about specific event scheduling, we encourage you to contact the respective event organizers directly for updates. Our thoughts are with those affected, and we extend our gratitude to the first responders and emergency personnel working tirelessly to protect our city."
The next event on the venue's calendar is the Society of Thoracic Surgeons's 61st Annual Meeting, Jan. 24-26, and the Fit Expo LA, Jan. 25-26. Both events have issued statements that they plan to go ahead.
The costliest wildfire in U.S. history
According to AccuWeather, the total damage and economic loss from the wildfires is estimated to be between $250 billion and $275 billion. By comparison, losses from the Maui wildfires in 2023 totaled $13 billion to $16 billion, and damages from Hurricane Helene in the Southeastern United States this past fall were around $225 billion to $250 billion. The numbers from California are preliminary, as fires continue to burn and some areas have not reported damages yet.
The blazes have ravaged densely populated neighborhoods that are home to both Hollywood celebrities and corporate executives with multimillion-dollar properties. The worst of the fires are burning in an area from Santa Monica to Malibu, impacting some of the most expensive real estate in the country, where the average home value is more than $2 million. Although the region frequently experiences these natural disasters, they typically affect inland areas that have a smaller population and less expensive real estate.
Los Angeles travel concerns
For those traveling in or out of the city, the Los Angeles International Airport and the Port of Los Angeles are open and operating normally. Within L.A. County, however, officials advise against nonessential travel in many areas, with roads near active fires closed to all but emergency crews. A list of road closure is available via the L.A. County Public Works and any service alerts for the Metro are posted to its website.
Air quality also is a growing concern, particularly for people with respiratory issues, and everyone is advised to wear masks outdoors. AirNow.gov provides specific information about air quality levels in the different parts of L.A. County.
Los Angeles hotels offering relief
Nearly 160 hotels in the Los Angeles area are offering accommodations to displaced residents. An updated list of these properties can be found on the Discover Los Angeles website. Airbnb.org is providing free, temporary housing to displaced people as well, in partnership with 211 L.A.
In a collaborative effort, several San Diego hotels are offering discounted rates and special pricing for evacuees and others affected by the fires in L.A. County. A list of participating hotels can be found here.
Los Angeles venue closures
A variety of L.A. sites and venues are closed due to fire and air-quality conditions, with an increasing number of them remaining shuttered throughout the weekend. See Discover Los Angeles or contact the venues themselves for updates.
Postponed: Critics Choice Awards; Trinity-Mission League Showcase @ Intuit Dome (rescheduled Feb. 1)
Canceled: ALTer Ego @ Kia Forum (Jan. 11)
Los Angeles iconic buildings destroyed
Thousands of structures in the Pacific Palisades and Altidena areas have been leveled. Among the iconic venues that have been lost, according to multiple reports:
How to help Los Angeles
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is working with its partners to provide
shelter, food, emotional support and health services. You can donate to
the Red Cross by online or by calling (800) 733-2767.
California Community Foundation, Wildfire Recovery Fund
This fund supports the recovery and resilience of communities devastated by wildfires, particularly underserved or marginalized populations.
GoFundMe Wildfire Relief Fund
The organization is offering grants from this emergency fund to provide grants to affected families in need.
Los Angeles Fire Foundation
The LAFD Foundation provides vital equipment and funds critical programs to help the LAFD save lives and protect communities. https://supportlafd.org/
Project Camp
This organization offers pop-up camps for children who have been displaced by disasters and/or are out of school for the same reason. Donate here.