Southern California Wildfire: What Sparked the Blaze and How You Can Help

Written by Meteorologist Mary Wasson and Megan Ironside

Last updated 1/9/2025, 4:07:21 PM

A multi-year drought, extremely low relative humidity, and strong offshore winds created explosive fire weather conditions in Southern California this week. Five separate fires broke out on Tuesday and continue to spread, destroying hundreds of homes and resulting in the deaths of at least five people.


According to weather.com, Southern California has received less than 10% of its average rainfall since October 1. The ongoing drought persists in this region, even though both San Diego and Los Angeles ended the year with a surplus of rain.



The annual Santa Ana winds are to blame but what are they?  These are winds that are created when large areas of high pressure become established over the Great Basin in the interior western United States. This includes areas like Nevada, Idaho, and Utah.



According to livescience.com, the clockwise flow around the High moves this dry air towards the southwest into California, where it descends over the Sierra Mountains and dries out even more. As the air squeezes through mountain passes and canyons, it begins to flow faster, creating a powerful, rapid air flow by the time it hits the coast.


The extremely low humidity of these winds causes vegetation to dry out and become more susceptible to fire, with even the slightest spark capable of escalating into a large-scale blaze, stoked by the speeding winds. 


The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned the public ahead of the event and issued red flag warnings, or high fire danger, for 19 million people. Winds were forecasted between 50 to 80 mph with gusts up to 100 mph.



Some of the top wind gusts were:

103 mph – Marshall Peak

100 mph – La Canada Flintridge

100 mph - Mt. Lukens Truck Trail

98 mph - Saddle Peak


Latest on the five individual fires from NBC News:

  • The Palisades Fire erupted Tuesday morning in Pacific Palisades, a Los Angeles County neighborhood east of Malibu, as a brush fire. The blaze had grown to more than 15,000 acres by Wednesday afternoon, and to 17,234 acres by Thursday morning, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. It's the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
  • The Eaton Fire ignited Tuesday night near a canyon in the sprawling national forest lands north of downtown Los Angeles and had exploded to more than 10,000 acres by Wednesday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
  • The Hurst Fire started Tuesday night in Sylmar, a suburban neighborhood north of San Fernando, as a brush fire and quickly grew to 500 acres, Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristen Crowley said. By Wednesday evening it stretched 855 acres and was 10% contained, according to fire officials.
  • The Sunset Fire sparked in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles near Runyon Canyon shortly before 6 p.m. Wednesday, prompting mandatory evacuations. By Wednesday evening it stretched 60 acres, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
  • The Lidia Fire broke out near the community of Acton in a region between the Sierra Pelona and San Gabriel mountains Wednesday afternoon. By evening, it spanned 348 acres with 40% containment.



As of today, almost 2,000 buildings and structures have also been confirmed destroyed in all of Los Angeles. According to Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert G. Luna, 180,000 people are under evacuation orders. Over one million Los Angeles County residents are without power. Residents in the Malibu area are also faced with gas shutoffs.


Fighting these fires and clean-up is a massive undertaking. Support is needed to provide essential supplies for displaced residents and for those working to contain these fires.


The Salvation Army lists these items as needed:

  • Bandanas, work gloves, and other protective clothing items
  • Bottled water and other packaged drinks
  • Boxes, barrels, and heavy-duty plastic bags (for survivors to collect their possessions)
  • Cleaning items such as rags, mops, brooms, and scrub brushes
  • Device chargers
  • First aid kits
  • Flashlights and batteries
  • Gently used or new work boots or rain boots
  • Hygiene items including soap, detergent, disinfectant, garbage bags, and hand sanitizer
  • Infant care items such as formula, diapers, and rash cream
  • Linens such as bedding and pillows
  • New undergarments such as underwear or socks
  • Nonperishable, packaged food items and snacks
  • PPE, including dust masks
  • Protective equipment such as work gloves, boots, helmets, and masks
  • Rebuilding supplies, including plastic tarps, nails, plywood, and hand tools
  • Toys and books to entertain children
  • Utility tools such as plastic buckets, shovels, and rakes


If you'd like to help with a donation, multiple organizations are accepting money.


American Red Cross


The Salvation Army


California Fire Foundation Wildfire & Disaster Relief Fund: The California Fire Foundation assists California communities recovering from wildfires by collaborating with local fire agencies and community organizations. They offer ongoing support to disaster victims, including those affected by the recent Palisades Fire. 


World Central Kitchen: The World Central Kitchen is a nonprofit food relief organization that provides meals to first responders and evacuees


GoFundMe: GoFundMe has created a centralized hub of verified fundraising pages


California Community Foundation: The organization's Wildfire Recovery Fund focuses on assisting the most vulnerable and isolated communities within the region, aiming to support long-term recovery efforts. 


CAL FIRE Benevolent Foundation: This organization provides financial aid to firefighters and their families in the case of injury or loss of life.