Los Angeles wildfires
Powerful images of destruction, loss and heroism
Powerful images of destruction, loss and heroism
Wildfires are tearing through Los Angeles, forcing thousands to flee to safety and destroying modest homes and vast mansions.
As the fires rage on, powerful images tell stories of fear, desperation and solidarity in the sprawling California city.
Image source, Patrick Fallon/AFP
Image source, David Swanson/AFP
The first sign of worry for many was thick smoke blowing down from the hills of the affluent Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles, which borders Santa Monica and the famous Malibu coast.
Image source, Marcus Ubungen/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
LA residents are accustomed to wildfires but the Palisades fire spread rapidly out of control. Dry conditions and fierce winds fanned the flames and made the largest blazes difficult to contain.
Image source, Hans Gutknecht/MediaNews Group via Getty Images
Image source, Planet Labs PBC
Image source, MAXAR
Satellite image taken on 6 January before the fires in Altadena, Los Angeles, California., image
In Altadena, the fire razed entire neighborhoods.
Image source, MAXAR
In Altadena, the fire swept through homes and businesses, razing entire neighborhoods., image
Image source, MAXAR
Satellite image taken on 6 January before the fires in Altadena, Los Angeles, California., image
In Altadena, the fire razed entire neighborhoods.
Image source, MAXAR
In Altadena, the fire swept through homes and businesses, razing entire neighborhoods., image
Image source, Brian van der Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Image source, Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
People were ordered to evacuate. Some had only minutes to grab precious belongings and leave.
Image source, Josh Edelson/AFP
Image source, Caroline Brehman/EPA
Image source, Caroline Brehman/EPA
Image source, Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Image source, Carlin Stiehl/Reuters
Image source, Mario Tama/Getty Images
A firefighting helicopter drops water as the Sunset Fire burns in the Hollywood Hills, image
Soon, half a dozen fires were burning across Los Angeles - from Malibu in the west to Pasadena in the north east.
Image source, Josh Edelson/AFP
Some homes in Pasadena were totally engulfed by flames, image
Image source, Josh Edelson/AFP
Smoke and flames overwhelmed a commercial area in Altadena, image
Fires broke out in the Hollywood Hills, in working-class areas in Altadena and along the city's Sunset Boulevard.
Image source, Josh Edelson/AFP
A resident views his property as it burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles, image
Image source, Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews via Getty Images
Cars were reduced to burned-out shells on Sunset Boulevard, image
Image source, Mario Tama/Getty Images
A firefighting helicopter drops water as the Sunset Fire burns in the Hollywood Hills, image
Soon, half a dozen fires were burning across Los Angeles - from Malibu in the west to Pasadena in the north east.
Image source, Josh Edelson/AFP
Some homes in Pasadena were totally engulfed by flames, image
Image source, Josh Edelson/AFP
Smoke and flames overwhelmed a commercial area in Altadena, image
Fires broke out in the Hollywood Hills, in working-class areas in Altadena and along the city's Sunset Boulevard.
Image source, Josh Edelson/AFP
A resident views his property as it burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles, image
Image source, Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews via Getty Images
Cars were reduced to burned-out shells on Sunset Boulevard, image
Image source, Josh Edelson/AFP
In an aerial view, destroyed homes are seen along the beach as the Palisades Fire continues to burn on January 09, 2025 in Malibu, California, image
Soon, half a dozen fires were burning across Los Angeles - from Malibu in the west to Pasadena in the north east.
Image source, Mario Tama/Getty Images
A firefighting helicopter drops water as the Sunset Fire burns in the Hollywood Hills on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California, image
Image source, Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images
A wind-driven fire rips through homes on January 7, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. , image
Fires broke out in the Hollywood Hills, in working-class areas in Altadena and along the city's Sunset Boulevard.
Image source, Josh Edelson/AFP
A resident views his property as it burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles, image
Image source, Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Burned cars in a lot destroyed by the Eaton wildfire in Altadena, California, USA, 08 January 2025. , image
Image source, Josh Edelson/AFP
In an aerial view, destroyed homes are seen along the beach as the Palisades Fire continues to burn on January 09, 2025 in Malibu, California, image
Soon, half a dozen fires were burning across Los Angeles - from Malibu in the west to Pasadena in the north east.
Image source, Mario Tama/Getty Images
A firefighting helicopter drops water as the Sunset Fire burns in the Hollywood Hills on January 8, 2025 in Los Angeles, California, image
Image source, Qian Weizhong/VCG via Getty Images
A wind-driven fire rips through homes on January 7, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. , image
Fires broke out in the Hollywood Hills, in working-class areas in Altadena and along the city's Sunset Boulevard.
Image source, Josh Edelson/AFP
A resident views his property as it burns during the Eaton fire in the Altadena area of Los Angeles, image
Image source, Caroline Brehman/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock
Burned cars in a lot destroyed by the Eaton wildfire in Altadena, California, USA, 08 January 2025. , image
The two largest blazes are the most destructive to ever hit the city and early estimates suggest the cost of the damage will run into billions of dollars.
Image source, Mario Tama/Getty Images
With thousands now homeless and others trying to track down loved ones, the fires have inflicted an emotional toll and deep uncertainty about the future.
Image source, Zoë Meyers/AFP
In maps: Thousands of acres on fire in LA
What's the latest on the Los Angeles wildfires, and what caused them?
High winds, lack of rain and climate change stoking California fires