Los Angeles is besieged by devastating wildfires right now, with several blazes fueled by strong winds and drought. Firefighters have struggled to contain the fires due to the ongoing weather, shortages in water, and the ferocity of the fires, which have continued to spread quickly throughout the first few weeks of 2025. The two largest fires are burning in the communities of Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon/Altadena, and as of January 15, both are still largely uncontained.
Deadly Fires
By mid-January, 25 people had been killed, a total of more than 200,000 had been forced to evacuate, and more than 12,000 structures had been destroyed across more than 40,000 acres by the fires. People have seen their homes and belongings reduced to piles of ash. Others are struggling with fear and uncertainty as the fires creep closer to their communities. Even Angelenos not in immediate danger are feeling stress, sadness, and helplessness as their city burns.
Already, the Palisades and Eaton fires are among the state’s deadliest and most destructive in the history of California—and together with the other blazes in the area, they are likely the costliest wildfires ever in the United States. The exact toll is still unknown, but authorities are estimating the current damages to be more than $250 billion, and that’s with the two largest fires still burning and a new round of strong winds making it difficult to get them under control.
The Los Angeles metro area has been threatened by thick smoke and particulates that make it difficult to breathe and dangerous to exercise and otherwise be active outside in many places. Thousands of firefighters are currently battling the blazes, as are community brigades working in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
It isn’t clear what started the fires as of mid-January. In the case of the Palisades fire, authorities are investigating possible arson, fireworks ignition, unauthorized camping, and an earlier fire that may have rekindled. However, a few facts are for certain. The fires were fueled by strong, hurricane-force winds that topped 100 mph in some places. These Santa Ana winds, as they’re called, are a well-known feature of the Southern California climate. They occur several times per year, often in the fall, and are known for bringing extremely dry conditions and fanning wildfires. However, the January 2025 Santa Anas have been extremely strong, sending flames jumping from house to house and embers flying miles ahead of the advancing flames.
The other definite cause of the fire is drought. The Los Angeles area hasn’t seen any rain since April 2024. Southern California has a Mediterranean climate, so dry summers are expected. Though rainfall varies year to year, winters typically bring some rain, starting in November and continuing through March. This year has been bone-dry. Plants and vegetation have become more like kindling, ready to go up in flames at the smallest spark.
Impacts Beyond the Immediate Devastation
The devastation of the fires will undoubtedly worsen poverty in LA. Media outlets have reported on the Hollywood celebrity mansions that went up in flames, but the fires have also devasted middle-class and lower-income communities, too. The Eaton fire has consumed entire neighborhoods in Altadena, which is home to a sizeable Black community. According to the New York Times, 21% of the people affected by the Eaton fire are Black, though only 8% of the entire LA population is Black.
With so many houses and apartments destroyed, it’s likely that the fires will push housing costs in LA even higher as more people will be looking for fewer homes. The region was already experiencing a housing affordability crisis long before the fires, and now that’s set to worsen. The Los Angeles Times has even reported signs of rent gouging.
Longer-term, the future of home insurance in Southern California is also in question. Insurance companies face potential bankruptcy from the hundreds of billions of dollars in claims that will likely be made in 2025. Insurance rates may increase considerably to accommodate not only the coming payouts, but also the increasing risk of natural disasters caused by climate change.
It is also possible that some insurance companies will refuse to insure homes in certain areas. This is already happening—some LA fire victims reported that their home insurance had not been renewed prior to the fires. Statewide, more than 100,000 people in California have lost their home insurance since 2019. Without home insurance, people will struggle to secure mortgages, which in turn could crash property values and trigger a broader financial crisis.
IRUSA Joins the Relief Effort
In response to the LA fires, people and organizations are reaching out to provide relief, both in the short term and in anticipation of long-term recovery needs. One such organization is the nonprofit Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA).
IRUSA’s disaster response team (DMT) has responded to many wildfires in the past, but few that have threatened densely populated areas, like where the Eaton fire is currently burning. That’s where the organization’s efforts are currently focused.
“Islamic Relief USA has been coordinating with multiple partners through the Emergency Network of Los Angeles and the California Office of Emergency Services, as well as the state and federal governments to provide support to the unmet needs that are rising,” explained IRUSA DMT manager Hani Hamwi. Specifically, IRUSA is coordinating with local Muslim community organizations and leaders to identify needs, galvanize support, and deliver water and food to local shelters and firefighters on the front lines. Over the long term, IRUSA will look to partner with local groups to support rebuilding and clean-up efforts.
If you’re interested in supporting IRUSA’s response and recovery efforts for the LA fires, you can learn more and donate at https://irusa.org/usa/.