Before-and-after photos capture the devastation left by 2025 LA fires
Julia GomezWednesday, Jan. 7, marks the first anniversary of the Eaton and Palisades fires that burned over 37,000 acres in Los Angeles County, killing 31 and destroying thousands of structures.
California is no stranger to wildfires, but the Eaton and Palisades fires were some of the most destructive in the state's history.
The fires burned for weeks and were contained by the end of January. But, while the Eaton and Palisades fires were the most destructive, California faced multiple fires at the start of 2025, including the Hughes Fire, the Hurst Fire, and the Kenneth Fire.
A year later, around 70% of the residents of Eaton and Palisades remain displaced as they battle with insurance companies, according to USA TODAY's previous reporting. But a few have begun to rebuild their lives on the ground where their homes once stood.
The fires destroyed thousands of homes, including some belonging to celebrities, and changed the way many people see wildfires forever.
Parts of LA County still smell like the fire and smoke that scorched the ground, and a year later, many have yet to return to their homes.
"I don’t know if many of us wanted to know how to build a house, but we have to now," said Ted Koerner, an Altadena, California resident who was the first to rebuild his home. "We have no choice."
LA fires: A look at what was left behind
Contributing: Terry Collins, Paris Barraza, and Monica Garske; USA TODAY
Julia is a Trending reporter for USA TODAY and covers scientific studies, natural disasters and trending news. Connect with her on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at [email protected].