Resiliency and Cooperation: The January 2025 Wildfires

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February 2025

Resiliency, Cooperation, and Courage: The January 2025 Southern California Wildfires

Southern California endured its most destructive January on record, with wildfires fueled by severe Santa Ana winds and drought. Over 57,000 acres burned, 29 lives were lost, approximately 200,000 residents evacuated, and over 16,000 structures destroyed.

In response, CAL FIRE and the Governor's Office of Emergency Services, along with federal, state, local, tribal, and international partners, deployed 16,000+ firefighters, law enforcement, military, and emergency personnel to contain the fires and protect communities.

Now, recovery is underway. CAL FIRE and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services are working alongside multiple local, state, and federal agencies as well as volunteer organizations to provide aid, rebuilding homes, restoring infrastructure, and protecting watersheds and the environment.

Below are just some of the stories from this month and the men and women who have worked tirelessly to contain the fires, mitigate their damage, and help Southern California recover in their immediate aftermath.

Palisaded & Eaton Fires by the Numbers

CAL FIRE and Partners Mobilize 24-Hour Aircraft Operations

From the first 24-hour helibase operation to utilizing the California National Guard's rotary-wing aircraft and the Modular Airborne Firefighting System (MAFFS), these significant resources helped combat the Southern California fires. Night flying provided valuable extra firefighting resources, flying over 124 hours, to drop water when nighttime conditions reduced the intensity of the fires.

California National Guard Trains with CAL FIRE to Assist with Southern California Fires

CAL FIRE's longstanding relationship with the California National guard allowed for the training and deployment of key additional firefighting resources. During the training, National Guard personnel learn the to use firefighting tools and build hand lines.

Modular Airborne Firefighting Systems Fleet Mobilized

The entire National Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems (MAFFS) fleet was activated and pre-positioned at the Channel Islands to support the critical fire weather across much of Southern California. MAFFS are portable 3,000-gallon fire retardant systems that can be installed in military C-130s, temporarily converting them into firefighting airtankers to support wildfire suppression.

WERTs Help Protect Communities Post-Fire

As the flames die down, the Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT) went to work to identify potential life-safety hazards from debris flows, and rockfalls. Their findings are then reported to state and local authorities to assist with post-fire protective actions.

Exemplifying Resilience:

Angelenos Come Together in Response to Devastating Wildfires

During the January fires in Southern California and now during the recovery, community members continue to show resilience by coming together to give back to survivors in various ways. Check out the links below to learn more.

2025 FIRES | L.A. Works

American Red Cross

Damage Inspection Teams Act Swiftly to Assess Neighborhoods Post-Fire

CAL FIRE’s Damage Inspection Teams (DINS) were quickly dispatched to the Los Angeles area, assessing homes and properties impacted by recent fires. These inspections determine the extent of damage to and the survival of structures. See the completed inspection maps below.

Palisades DINS Map

Eaton DINS Map

What to Do when Returning to a Damaged Home After a Wildfire

Returning home after a wildfire is overwhelming, but safety comes first. Wear protective gear, check for damage, avoid hazards, inspect utilities, document losses, and contact insurance. Prioritize health and seek support to manage stress during recovery.

Returning Home Checklist

How Can You Most Effectively Create Zone 0 Defensible Space?

Zone 0 defensible space is the first five feet around a home, designed to reduce wildfire risk by eliminating flammable materials. This zone should be clear of dry vegetation, wood mulch, and debris, using non-combustible materials like gravel, concrete, or stone instead.

Start Creating Your Defensible Space

Building Resilient Communities and Improving Forest Health Together

CAL FIRE’s mission goes beyond firefighting, focusing on fire prevention through fuels reduction projects, improved building codes, and partnerships with state, federal, local, and tribal agencies.

Learn More About Fuels Reduction

Canadians join the fight against recent wildfires

Through an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the British Columbia, a total of 13 personnel assisted CAL FIRE Incident Management Team 2 at the Palisades Incident.

CAL FIRE/Riverside County firefighters deliver baby in ambulance

A routine emergency call turned into a momentous occasion for a CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department crew early one Saturday morning in January.

Giving back in the Wake of the L.A. Wildfires

Since multiple wildfires left severe damage to Los Angeles, several options to give back have been made available. Individuals from across the country and world have shown their support.

Join Us, We're Hiring Firefighter I

CAL FIRE is accepting applications for seasonal Fire Fighter I positions statewide. Submit your application as soon as possible. The next upcoming cut-off date is July 31, 2025. Firefighter I is a seasonal, temporary classification used by CAL FIRE. As a member of a fire crew, a Fire Fighter I fights wildland, rural, and structural fires and responds to various other emergency situations including medical emergencies and participates in fuel reduction projects. Additional responsibilities include repairing equipment and general station housekeeping.

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