Here are the catastrophic numbers behind the fires in California as firefighters near full containment

On January 22, 2025By Littum

Upper line

Two weeks have passed since a destructive wave of wildfires first gripped Southern California, burning tens of thousands of acres and killing more than two dozen people in what has become one of the worst natural disasters in the state’s history.

Sixteen people have been killed by the Eaton fire. (Photo by JOSH EDELSON/AFP via Getty Images)

AFP via Getty Images

Key facts

The fires have been largely contained to Los Angeles County and began on January 7 when the Palisades Fire ignited and is still active after two weeks of burning.

The fires occurred in dry conditions and extremely strong winds, with gusts exceeding 90 mph in some areas, contributing to the spread of multiple fires and the temporary suspension of air support.

The Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire are the only active fires in Los Angeles as of Tuesday as firefighters work to increase containment, although some relatively small fires ignited in San Diego on the same day.

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What is the death toll from the fires?

In any case 27 peopleaccording to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Seventeen bodies were found in the Eaton fire and 10 bodies were found in the Palisades fire. Some died trying protect their property from burning down.

How many hectares have the fires burned?

About 40,500 acres, a large portion of which is the acres burned in the Palisades Fire (23,713) and Eaton Fire (14,021), according to Cal Fire.

How many fires have there been since January 7?

Eight in Los Angeles and 16 fires in total in Southern California.

How many structures have the fires destroyed?

At least 15,467 structures were destroyed by the Palisades and Eaton fires, and the totals are expected to rise.

How many people have been charged with crimes related to the fires?

At least 17 people have been charged with crimes linked to the fires, with the accused facing charges including arson, looting and impersonating a firefighter. Prosecutors have not said that any of those charged with arson were connected to the major fires in Los Angeles.

How much money in damages have the fires created?

The damage assessment process is still in the early stages, but potentially somewhere between $250 billion and $275 billion, according to a preliminary estimate from AccuWeather published January 13. Accuweather noted that the fire’s cost has surpassed Hurricane Helene’s estimated damage.

How many First Responders were deployed?

More than 16,000with thousands of first responders coming to Los Angeles from neighboring cities, states and countries included Mexico and Canada.

Where do the fires rank among California’s most destructive fires?

If the Palisades and Eaton fires do not increase in area, they will rank as No. 4 and no. 2 of the most destructive wildfires in California history, according to Cal Fire. The largest wildfire in the state’s history is the Camp Fire, which exploded in Northern California in 2018, burning 153,336 acres and killing 85 people.

Key background

The fires in Southern California were sparked as the region suffered from a severe lack of rain amid La Niña, a climate phenomenon marked by hot and dry conditions in the southern states. The last time Los Angeles received a tenth of an inch of rainfall was last May, according to Los Angeles Timeswhich contributes to drought conditions. The dry conditions accompanied a wind pattern known as the Santa Ana winds, which are strong and dry winds often associated with fire weather. In addition to their devastating toll, the fires closed several schools, delayed major sporting events and affected awards ceremonies. Former President Joe Biden announced in the early days of the fires that the federal government will pay for 100% of the disaster response for 180 days, covering expenses related to “debris and hazard removal, temporary shelters, first responder salaries and all necessary measures to protect life and property.” California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed that the state provide an additional $2.5 billion for emergency preparedness and recovery effort in Los Angeles.