In early January 2025, Los Angeles County experienced severe wildfires exacerbated by strong Santa Ana winds and an unprecedented dry spell. The Palisades Fire ignited on January 7, 2025, and was captured shortly after its start by the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-2 satellite. By January 8, the fires had devastated thousands of homes, leading to widespread evacuations and compelling officials to issue emergency orders across multiple regions. Fuelled by gusty winds reaching up to 100 miles per hour and a landscape parched by lack of rainfall, these wildfires spread rapidly.
The Palisades fire alone scorched over 11,000 acres, moving westward toward Malibu, while another fire, Eaton, ignited in Altadena, engulfing over 10,000 acres and threatening nearby areas. The National Weather Service identified “critical” fire conditions due to ongoing Santa Ana winds and a significant lack of rainfall, marking the driest start to winter on record for Southern California. This climate phenomenon typically occurs between October and January, creating conditions ripe for wildfire outbreaks. As of January 8, the threat of further fires remained high, with dangerous conditions anticipated to persist.
