The Los Angeles wildfires of 2025 have caused widespread destruction, with entire neighborhoods burned to the ground and dozens of casualties reported. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection estimates that more than 16,200 structures have been damaged or destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires.
The Palisades Fire, the largest in terms of burned areas, has left a trail of devastation. Iconic landmarks such as the Malibu restaurant Moonshadows, the Palisades Branch Library, and the Palisades Charter High School have suffered extensive damage.
The Eaton Fire, although smaller in perimeter compared to the Palisades Fire, has likely claimed more buildings. The hard-hit Altadena neighborhood in Los Angeles County has been severely affected by the fire, with satellite images showing the extent of the damage.
The wildfires have also exposed the limited emergency evacuation plans in many US communities. Residents in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood faced challenges evacuating due to traffic bottlenecks, forcing some to abandon their vehicles and flee on foot. Small communities, in particular, are at risk, with hundreds of towns identified as having limited evacuation routes.
The Palisades and Eaton fires have already become two of the most destructive fires in LA County history, ranking at No. 3 and No. 4 on the list of most destructive wildfires in California state history since 1991.
