Tragically, these fires have also claimed lives, with 25 fatalities confirmed at the time of writing.
As the fires persist, CNN reports that over six million people in the Los Angeles area remain under a severe fire threat.
Among those who have perished in this ongoing disaster is 54-year-old Randall ‘Randy’ Miod, a Malibu resident.
His final conversation was with his mother, Carol Smith, on January 7; the same day the Pacific Palisades fire started.
Tragically, Randy died the following day due to smoke inhalation and thermal injuries.
Reflecting on a conversation they had when the wildfires first erupted, Carol recounted to PEOPLE: “He would always call me anytime there was a fire coming.
“He was almost in tears on Tuesday when I talked to him, and he said, ‘Mom, there’s another fire in the Palisades. I can see the smoke.’ I said, ‘Randy, grab your cat and go to a shelter. Don’t make me worry’.”
Carol shared her ongoing concern for Randy, as he never evacuated during previous wildfires.
“He always stayed,” she said about Randy. “He always felt that he could hose the house down with his hose.”
Unfortunately, this time was different, and Randy lost his life to the fire.
He had tried to call his mother later on that day, but she was not home, so he left a voicemail instead.
In his final tender message to his mother, he said: “Pray for the Palisades and pray for Malibu, and I love you.”
Carol has vowed to keep this voicemail ‘forever’.
Another victim of the LA wildfires is Blues Brothers star Dalyce Curry.
The 95-year-old’s house was consumed by the flames while she was inside.
Lorée Beamer-Wilkinson, her granddaughter, expressed: “With a heavy heart, I share that our search for Momma D has come to an end, as her remains were found in her home.
“We are devastated, and it’s difficult to comprehend how her life came to this end.”
Five days before the first wildfire ignited, the US National Weather Service had warned of potential strong Santa Ana winds and extreme fire conditions.
As the days went by, a Fire Weather Watch warning was issued, as well as state and local officials issuing alerts to the Los Angeles area.
The outbreak of the Palisades Fire prompted an emergency warning for LA residents, advising those nearby to prepare for ‘a potential evacuation’.
Later that day, the City of Santa Monica issued an Evacuation Order for all areas of the city north of San Vicente, stating: “Evacuation Order: Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to LEAVE NOW.”
Just hours after the first wildfire erupted, the second – named the Eaton Fire – started in the Altadena area of LA.
Following this, the Hurst Fire began in LA’s Sylmar area as the National Weather Service reported winds reaching 99 mph. New evacuation orders were issued to those in affected areas as the fires rapidly spread, consuming thousands of acres, including homes and businesses.
Hundreds of inmates were deployed to assist in battling the wildfires, with 939 incarcerated individuals at the frontline, according to the BBC.
This practice is not unusual in California, as it is one of 14 US states that employs inmates in firefighting efforts. Inmates volunteer for this duty and are compensated between $5.80 and $10.24 per day.
However, inmates with certain convictions, such as arson and sexual offenses, are not eligible to volunteer.
Three days after the first fire began, the LAPD arrested a man after residents reported seeing him on a bike with a large blow torch attempting to set fire to bins and old Christmas trees.
Authorities suspect that the Kenneth Fire was deliberately started, and the man believed to be responsible is currently in custody.
Southern California Edison, a subsidiary of the energy company Edison International, acknowledged that its grid experienced a short circuit issue on January 7, the night the first fires began.
“On January 10, Southern California Edison (SCE) filed an Electric Safety Incident Report (ESIR) related to the Hurst Fire once SCE learned fire agencies are investigating whether SCE equipment was involved in the ignition, which is a triggering event for reporting,” Edison International stated in a press release.
“SCE noted that the fire was reported at approximately 10:10 pm on 7 January, and preliminary information reflects the Eagle Rock – Sylmar 220 kV circuit experienced a relay at 10:11 pm. A downed powerline was discovered at a tower associated with the Eagle Rock – Sylmar 220 kV circuit. SCE does not know whether the damage observed occurred before or after the start of the fire.”
Several celebrities have had to evacuate their homes, many of which have been destroyed. This includes Paris Hilton, Miles Teller, Anna Faris, Billy Crystal, and Eugene Levy.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the combined Eaton, Palisades, Kenneth, and Hurst fires have burned over 40,000 acres.
More than 12,000 structures, including homes and businesses, have been destroyed.
Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, issued an executive order on Monday evening to ‘expedite the rebuilding of homes, businesses, and communities’ devastated by the wildfires.
As of January 15, 25 lives have been lost due to the fires.
If you need support following a bereavement, you can contact GrieveWell confidentially at (734) 975-0238 or email [email protected].
To help those affected by the fires, donations can be made to the Red Cross online, by calling (800) 733-2767, or texting REDCROSS to 90999.