The California Wildfires Are Horrifying
Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 12:34PM More than 17,000 acres of area around southern California - including Pacific Palisades and Hollywood - is now burned from massive wildfires. Total losses are already estimated to be more than $50 billion and the fires are not yet contained. To give you context, as of this posting, there is a 40 acre fire burning around the Hollywood sign. There are five fires currently burning: Hurst, Lidia, Eaton, Palisades and Sunset. Yes, that last one is named for Sunset Blvd. A mix of extreme drought, hurricane-like Santa Ana winds, fire department budget cuts, climate change denial and building in dangerous areas has all contributed to this mess.
I was watching live news coverage last night and it was pretty surreal seeing reporters wearing fire suits and standing on the Sunset Strip and pointing out landmarks like the walk of fame and the famous rock clubs we all love. I hope all the fires are contained as fast as possible - and that there is no more loss of life. Already, so many families are homeless and it going to takes years and years to rebuild, especially in the Palisades area. If you can spare a few dollars to help, Red Cross is taking donations.
Reader Comments (4)
It has been brutal to watch and/or read about the fires wiping out entire neighborhoods and park land, many of which I used to visit and work in when doing business in L.A.
Let us pray to The Metal Gods the fires can be contained so not just more humanity and wildlife are spared, but also the iconic landmarks, great architecture and art vital to L.A.’s identity that haven’t already succumbed to the flames.
I can’t imagine ever wanting to go back to L.A. without a Whisky, Troubadour, Roxy or Rainbow to go to.
This wildfire is devastating on so many levels.