Beyond The Smoke
The 2025 L.A. fires have burned their way into history. Starting on January 7th and consuming thousands of acres, these fires have destroyed houses, businesses, lives and memories. Many displaced Los Angeles residents are struggling with what to do, where to relocate and how to grieve their losses. Fueled by an unprecedented combination of drought and fierce Santa Ana winds, the deadly fires have estranged an alarming number of residents and shown climate change in its truest form. Since the start of the flames, the estimated amount of acres destroyed from all four fires is a total of 48,268 acres. Officials claim that 29 lives have been lost.
January 7th marked the start of the Pacific Palisades fire, the largest and deadliest out of the major four fires that took place in Los Angeles county this year. The four fires were located in Pacific Palisades, Eaton, Hurst and Hughes, with the Palisades fire consuming almost half of the total acres destroyed. There were also a plethora of small fires ranging from just north of L.A. in Castaic Lake, all the way down south to San Diego County. In addition to the damage the fires in Southern California have already done, the concern continues. The beginning of rainfall in L.A. started to help firefighters in the area raise containment, but has caused fear in the risk of toxic ash runoff from the water.
This natural disaster has affected many individuals at AUP, one of whom is Camille Davis, our Student Leadership Development Manager. Camille's family residence was harmed by the Eaton fire in which she shares, " While my parents are safe, the wildfires did impact our home. Altadena sits along the foothills and there have been a number of wildfire scares because of the nature where we're nestled, but it was really surprising how far down the fires ended up going". Watching her home town quickly go up in flames is an experience beyond comprehension, as Camille put it, " Seeing the coverage was incredibly difficult, I just broke down. The reports were actually covering the fires while standing on my family's street, and I think that's when it hit home for me. Seeing the places I would drive and workout for nearly 35 years to go up in flames was heartbreaking".
The Santa Ana winds are strong, dry winds that originate in the Great Basin, an area which spans over a large part of the western coast of America and some of Mexico. The winds typically occur in Southern California in the fall and winter and their speed ranges from 60 to 80 miles per hour, with extreme conditions reaching 100 miles per hour. Historically speaking the Santa Ana winds have worsened the conditions of many wildfires, such as the 2003 Cedar fire in San Diego which burned over 230,000 acres, as well as the 2017 Wine Country Fire that consumed 245,000 acres. The damage from these winds are not a surprise to the Californians who know and dread the Santa Anas.
It’s undeniable that climate change is real and evident on a global scale, making these fires in Southern California no coincidence. Scientists around the world are confident that ecological shifts are becoming more visible in our environment. According to the World Weather Attribution (WWA), a globally accredited source for their studies and links to climate change, global warming made the fire prone weather conditions in Los Angeles 35% more likely. WWA also claims “Dry conditions in the L.A. area over the October to December period are now about 2.4 times more likely than before humans started using fossil fuels on a large scale.” More analysis declares that L.A.’s fire index—a scale of weather measure that calculates variables such as temperature, humidity, wind, speed and precipitation—has become increasingly higher due to climate change. The U.S. Forest Service and Cal Fire have observed that the length of the fire season is expanding as extreme fire weather becomes more common. In addition to the destruction on land, the ash from the fires are expanding their trails into the ocean, where marine life is now affected by plumes of smoke and the ash. The severity and frequency of wildfires is simply becoming increasingly accredited to human activity.
The aftermath of the fires have been detrimental for the futures of some of the victims. Pacific Palisades, in addition to many parts of L.A. County, is known to be a generally wealthy area and one where many celebrities own homes. However, not everyone in the affected areas is a celebrity and not everyone who lives in those areas has the same financial means to continue to live there after the devastation. There are several cases throughout all of L.A. county where locals are challenged by delayed insurance payouts and left displaced to fend for their own until their financial situation reaches a resolution.
Some LA families have inherited their properties, meaning they had solely depended on paying their annual or semi-annual property taxes in contrast to high rent prices or mortgage payments. While many residents will be able to rebuild their homes and make a full recovery or find different housing, many locals do not have this option. Federal Assistance offered victims of the fires a one time payment of $770 with advice to apply for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency), but certain payouts take time and housing is not something that is accessible yet for all victims. For reference, there are still victims of Hurricane Helene that have not received their insurance claims. President Trump has recently been in California where he is meeting with Governor Newsom to enact on the recovery of L.A. County.
Typically, after a natural disaster in the United States, insurance companies assess their claims based on their existing policies and reflect the damage that has occurred, but may adjust their future coverage terms. In this particular instance, the environmental situation has worsened to an unpredictable degree and many victims of the fires are uncertain on the payouts they will receive. State Farm, AllState, Farmers Insurance and Liberty Mutual are insurance companies that have recently scaled down or backed out of California coverage and left victims stranded and delayed to find a solution. In addition to pulling out of their insurance policies, some insurers have raised their rates to increasingly unobtainable amounts, more so in locations more prone to wildfires. This creates a vicious insurance crisis where homeowners are left abandoned and less secure, a situation we can apply in the context of the L.A. fires.
Residents of L.A. of were furious to discover that their Mayor Karen Bass had cut the Los Angeles Fire Department budget by 17.6 million in 2023 and 2024, about 6 million less than her original proposal of 23 million before it was approved by the City Council. Many city officials, including Mayor Bass have stated that their budget cuts did not affect L.A.F.D.’s response to the fires. However, some local fire officials say that while the high winds made situations harder to contain, the fire budget cut did hinder the department’s ability to respond to such a large and unprecedented natural emergency.
As the flames continued to grow, firefighters in the area grew concerned with how they would be able to contain them on their own. Once the disasters reached a wider recognition, neighboring states and international officials sent their own aid to Los Angeles in efforts to put the fires to rest. Western states Oregon and Washington, as well as Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Idaho all deployed their own firefighters. Despite political tensions with President Donald Trump, Mexico and Canada graciously sent a number of their own firefighters. An estimated 950 California inmates were also involved in putting out the fires, irrespective of being overworked and receiving compensation below the L.A. minimum wage, which is currently sitting at $17.27. On top of L.A.'s own firefighters, it is important to recognize the other courageous individuals who have provided their service. The combination of effort from local, state, international firefighters, and inmates working under extremely dangerous conditions highlights the extraordinary collaboration and unity it has required to contain and extinguish the flames.
Barriers to reside in California are mainly controlled by financial situation and therefore require residents to pay more in cost of living compared to other states in the forms of increasing rent prices, property taxes and utilities. There are many economic factors to account for when discussing how less fortunate victims will recover and rebuild. The average median household income in L.A. county (recorded 2023) was around $86,500. However, the average rent prices for a single family house was estimated at $3,300. Taking into account the previously stated number, this makes up about 46% of the average household income, before calculating into the equation the already expensive (and increasing) California gas prices, grocery prices and more. For comparison and to highlight the stark difference in housing costs, the national average for rent in a single family home in the United States is estimated around $2,000.
Living in L.A. certainly comes with a cost, and the rent increases exponentially the closer to the coast one resides. For homeowners, it has become increasingly difficult to keep up with property tax adjustments in addition to the competitive housing market. In California, the average property tax rate is 1.25% (1% required by Proposition 13 + .25% in additional bonds/assessments) of a property's assessed value. At first glance, this number might not sound so bad. However, in comparison to a state like New Jersey, which has a higher property tax of 2.4%, California's financial burden still surpasses due to a combination of factors such as the housing shortage, highly priced market and increasing gas and groceries. The median listing price in L.A. County is estimated at $1.2 million. Coastal areas and beach cities mainly represent prices well over $3 million dollars, which is considered modest in the California market. For an additional comparison, the average median listing price for a single family home in the United States is calculated at about $420,000. For those who have already lost their homes in the fires, and without major financial advantage, finding a new residence nearby or within state boundaries can be challenged by the competitive real estate market in California.
The state of California has seen a decreasing population since 2020, when factors including pandemic deaths, federal immigration restrictions and inflation began to drive out residents. This was the first time in California history that the state had lost population numbers since beginning its recordings in 1900. States with more financially flexible environments, lower taxes and affordable living costs, such as Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Nevada and Arizona, have become attractive alternatives, drawing former Californians seeking a lower cost of living and fewer regulatory constraints. Between July 2020 and July 2023, California lost 412,000 residents.
As reported in 2024 by the Public Policy Institute of California, the current state population is 39 million. While the populations lightly increased between July 2023 and 2024 by 0.13% (49,000), it is unlikely many residents in the US will drive up the population in the future with the ongoing challenges occurring. Political disagreements regarding California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, and his previous handling of issues during the pandemic, as well as the homelessness crisis and high taxes have led to major frustration among California residents. The point of this information is simple: if victims were already irritated on a socioeconomic level with the state of California, it’s unlikely they’ll all stay.
Similar to the United Kingdom's exit from European Union in 2020, there has been a recent spark of interest circulating around California seceding the United States. If extreme measures were taken, it is unlikely that in the best case scenario that movement would begin until 2027. The state would need to establish strong legal framework and gain approval from both the Federal Government and California voters all while navigating complex economic and political challenges. Due to California's abundance of democratic policies and their continuous frustration with the Federal Government, many Californians are surprisingly very in support of the potential future that could lead to separation.
California has the strongest economy out of all 50 states, and even ranks 5th in the world since 2017 with a GDP of 3.9 trillion USD; the equivalent of India's entire GDP. Support of "Calexit" stems from the desire to retain more tax revenue which could benefit education, infrastructure and healthcare, in addition to political freedom, revised immigration policies to reflect the state's proximity to Latin America and renewable energy focus. California possesses the resources to self sustain from its strong agricultural position, an extensive network of military bases, technological power in Silicon Valley, and their thriving entertainment industry. However, the disadvantages for the inverse include confusion on citizenship, tariffs, water, electricity and security. While the state could gain more autonomy over its policies, exiting could potentially disrupt the overall economic state and create instability in securing national defense and how to manage a stable relationship with the United States. All of this information leads many to question: does California need the U.S. or does the U.S need California?
While many L.A. residents are displeased with the financial barriers, there is a deeper meaning to their wanting to stay. A very unique aura is present in the city of Los Angeles, whether people apply it to the aesthetic scene of Hollywood, Tumblr fantasies, the creative arts energy or the year-round pleasant weather. The captivating essence that is Los Angeles makes it more than just a dot on a map or a top travel destination—L.A. is a vision, a way of life, and a place to call home. It is a county where people come to chase their dreams, where families find comfort in the communities, discover peace in the landscape, and where creativity thrives. This Southern California city is a tapestry of ambition, diversity, and resilience and represents more than the challenges that have caused many to question if they'll stay or go.
Communities throughout the county have come together whether it be shown through holding clothing, supply and food drives, or making their support for the firefighters involved publicly present on the streets. A real sense of belonging is present in L.A. and despite all challenges, the people there, directly affected or not, have found it more of a reason to come together.
The 2025 L.A. fires have not only left an enduring mark on the landscape and its residents, but have also brought global attention to the persistent impacts resulting from climate change and economic pressures. Combined with a complicated recovery process, the destruction caused by these fires proves there is immense strain on the environment and those who reside in it. As residents of Los Angeles battle insurance challenges, housing costs, and the broader economic environment, the future of California may seem uncertain for many who once called it home. But as best said by Camille Davis, a part of our AUP community, "Fires and earthquakes are part of the deal when growing up or moving there (L.A. County), but all that aside, it's such a great place to be. And after seeing the way the community has come together, if anything, the wildfires have made me even more determined not to leave and continue supporting efforts to maintain the community rather than walking away".
