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The Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates was one of many communities that was devastated by the Palisades Fire as hurricane-force winds sent the blaze racing down the mountainside and toward the ocean. Lisa Atkinson was one of the many homeowners in the community, and said she and every single one of her neighbors lost nearly everything.

“My insurance was canceled,” Atkinson told AccuWeather National Reporter Bill Wadell. “I’m kind of upset about that, but I know we’ll find a way.” Watch the full interview below:

The Eaton Fire has displaced hundreds of pets, forcing many residents to seek refuge for their animals at the Pasadena Humane Society in Los Angeles, California, United States on January 14, 2025. (Photo by Lokman Vural Elibol/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Since the Eaton Fire erupted last week, the Pasadena Humane Society has been helping animals in need and working around the clock to reunite lost pets with their owners. “Since the Eaton Fire began, we have taken in nearly 150 stray animals—lost pets who came to us with no known owner,” Pasadena Humane posted on Facebook. “If you believe you see your pet on our Pet Connect page, please come directly to Pasadena Humane.”

The organization’s hard work goes beyond the typical household pet. “We are also treating the wildlife that has been affected by the fires,” the organization said. “If you find a wild animal in need of help, please text our wildlife helpline at 626.344.1129.”

With shelters filling up, there are more opportunities for people to foster animals until they can be reunited with their families or until they can be adopted into a new home -- and some celebrities have stepped up to help animals in need. “I am also going to be fostering another dog who was surrendered by his family who lost their home in the fire,” Paris Hilton said in a social media post. In addition to her work with animals, Hilton has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charities, according to KABC.

Southern California is very dry and there's not much hope for rain through the rest of the month. In Los Angeles, 0.16 of an inch has fallen since Oct. 1. Only one other season on record, 1962-1963, has had so little. In San Diego, only 0.14 of an inch of rain has fallen in the same time period, a new record that is half of the previous record of 0.35 of an inch that fell in 1962-1963.

After Thursday, the winds will shift to come from the ocean, bringing more moist air into the region and improving humidity levels. This will help keep new fire spread to a minimum. There could be some sprinkles Sunday into Monday, but significant rainfall is not expected until the end of the month, with an even better chance in the middle of February.

In the face of tragedy, California communities are coming together like never before. Community members have quickly organized in Los Angeles and online, rushing to assist those in need, coordinating donation drives and partnering with long-established nonprofit organizations in the area.

“Residents have mobilized swiftly to support those affected. Donations of blankets, clothing, first aid kids and other essentials are pouring in to help victims,” AccuWeather reporter Ali Reid said.

How you can help: Resources for California wildfire relief

See Ali Reid’s report from Pasadena’s Rose Bowl, the central base camp for the Eaton Fire:

Scientists have long been warning of the risk the West faces due to climate change. While there is no data yet to determine the exact role climate change played in these specific L.A. fires, research over the past few decades highlights how vulnerable the region is.

AccuWeather Climate Expert Brett Anderson says rising temperatures and more extreme drought will increase the likelihood of disproportionately severe wildfires.

“We’re seeing more large fires, not necessarily a higher number of fires, we’re just seeing bigger and more devastating wildfires across the Western United States," Anderson said. "We expect this trend to continue, again with more extreme drought, the fires get more extreme…These fires that we’re seeing, they’re getting so big that they’re hard to control, they’re harder to put out and they last for a very long time."

While dousing the flames is the top priority now, Anderson warns that Southern California’s rainy season runs from October through March and that could lead to more devastation down the road in the form of dangerous landslides.

“Any significant rainstorm we see, this will set us up for the potential for significant landslides in these burn scar areas, especially where there are hills and that is certainly the case in the devastating Palisades Fire. It’s very hilly in that area."

Watch the full interview below:

Pacific Palisades, CA on Jan. 14. The Kehillat Israel synagogue was untouched as structures surrounding it burned from the Palisades Fire. (Photo by David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

As many as 12,000 homes, businesses and other structures may have been destroyed in the wildfires. But, amid the ashes there are occasional homes left untouched amid the Palisades and Eaton fires in what is seemingly a miracle.

While it may be impossible ever to know for sure, several variables, including pure luck, could be in play for homes that survived the flames. Luck aside, experts say a smart, fire-resilient design and a homeowners’ preparation are key factors in a home’s survival.

Construction, including building or retrofitting key parts of a home – like roof, walls, windows, decks, garages, fences and gutters, among others – with more ember- and flame-resistant materials, like concrete and steel can make all the difference. Architect Greg Chasen believes these features helped save a home he designed and built that survived the Palisades Fire when neighboring homes were reduced to ash.

Creating a defensible space around the zone is also a huge fire deterrent. A buffer zone cleared of flammable materials, like dry vegetation gives a home a higher probability of survival by reducing sources of “radiant heat” directly on a home.

“We tend to think of big fires ripping through the trees,” Janice Coen, a project scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research told CNN. “But it can often be little fires creeping up to the home, and that’s why the defensible space is so important.”

Wind can also play a role in which homes burn and which ones don’t. Click here to read more about fireproofing your home.

As the Palisades Fire exploded in size on Jan. 7, a good samaritan saved the life of a resident trying to escape the fire with her animals.

“I was out helping at the Palisades Fires and was about to leave and this woman came running up and knocked on my door asking for help,” Caleb Serban Lawler wrote on social media. 

Flames raged around Lawler, sending embers sizzling onto his skin as he bravely and calmly guided the woman and animals to safety:

As fast-moving flames closed in on her home, the woman was trying to evacuate with her four dogs but her hybrid car wouldn’t start. While her neighbor’s house went up in flames, she managed to flag Lawler down and he immediately jumped into action.

“I’m just so grateful that I’m alive, I thought I was going to die,” the woman said as they drove through towering flames to escape the neighborhood.

The devastation of the Palisades Fire is seen at sunset in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

The death toll in the wildfires burning in California has risen to 25. Nine in the Palisades Fire and 16 in the Eaton Fire.

Firefighters made progress on the Palisades Fire, the largest fire, with nearly 24,000 acres and 10,000 structures burned, it is now 18% contained. With 14,000 acres and 7,000 structures burned, the Eaton fire is 35% contained.

Nearly 90,000 households lost electricity Tuesday as utilities initiated shutoffs to prevent power lines from sparking new fires, CNN reported.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has reinstated the “Particularly Dangerous Situation” (PDS) red flag warnings for parts of Los Angeles and Ventura on Wednesday as gusty winds are expected. Due to lower than expected winds, the warnings had been dropped on Tuesday. As offshore winds subside from Wednesday to Thursday, a more routine influx of moisture from the Pacific with light winds is likely to occur later this week into the start of the weekend, AccuWeather meteorologists say.

Roughly 50 people were arrested for looting, flying drones in fire zones, violating curfew and other crimes,  LA Police Chief Jim McDonnell said. Among those taken into custody, 3 people were arrested for arson. "One was using a barbecue lighter, another ignited brush and a third tried to light up a trash can, McDonnell added.

Authorities have not determined a cause for any of the major fires, investigations are ongoing.

Anthony Mitchell Sr. (Photo credit: Hajime White/GoFundMe)

Anthony Mitchell, an amputee who used a wheelchair, last spoke to his daughter, Hajime White, on Wednesday morning, He informed her of his plans to evacuate his home in Altadena, located in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. Mitchell lived with his adult son Justin, who had cerebral palsy and also used a wheelchair, but they never managed to evacuate.

White said authorities told her Mitchell’s body was found by the bed of his son. “He was not going to leave his son behind. No matter what,” White told the Post. “It’s very hard. It’s like a ton of bricks just fell on me.”

Mitchell’s son, Anthony Jr. told NPR he knows why his father stayed.

“Even though he had a missing leg, he did have a prosthetic. He could have got himself in the wheelchair and he could have rolled himself out the fire zone, but he wasn’t going to leave my brother,” he said. “There was no way my father was going to leave him. He wouldn’t leave any of his kids.”

White has said up a GoFundMe to help cover the cost of funeral expenses.

A Canadian Bombardier CL-415 Super Scooper firefighting plane drops water during a demonstration for public officials at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles Monday, Aug 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Nick Ut)

A Canadian “Super Scooper” aircraft fighting the Palisades Fire late last week was grounded after smashing into a drone flying illegally in the area. The aircraft is capable of dousing wildfires with 1,500 gallons of water at a time, a critical resource for the crews battling the wind-driven infernos in California. The collision with the privately owned drone resulted in a hole in the plane’s wing. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and crews are working to fix the plane so it can be back in the sky this week.

“These fire suppression efforts using aircraft is probably the most effective tool that our firefighters have against fighting these fires to help contain them,” Akil Davis, FBI assistant director in charge of the Los Angeles field office, told CNN on Saturday. “When you take one plane out of commission like that, it’s going to impact the speed in which the fire grows, it’s going to cause loss of property, potentially loss of life, and it’s a danger to everybody all around.” It is illegal to fly drones in areas where the FAA issues a flight restriction, which includes areas near active wildfires. If the drone’s owner is found, they face a hefty fine and potentially time in prison.

A burned hillside is seen in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

The Palisades Fire continues to burn and is only 17% contained, according to CAL FIRE, but some areas that have been scorched are no longer on fire, allowing people to return to see what remains. Images are emerging of the hillsides that were once towering infernos, revealing the true toll fires have on Mother Nature.

A vehicle is driven through a burned mountain road in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ethan Swope)

The hillside that was once green and home to countless animals is now a barren wasteland, littered by leafless trees and bushes across a black and grey hillside. Not only has the blaze consumed all of the vegetation, but the ground has changed. While rain is much-needed for the region, heavy rain cannot be easily absorbed into the charred ground, resulting in a heightened risk of flash flooding and mudslides when stormy weather returns.

Southern California Edison (SCE) may need to cut off power in the coming days amid high wind danger to ensure fire safety, the power company said in a statement. As dangerous winds resume amid red flag warnings, the threat of new wildfires persists, SCE said, adding that safety remains the company’s top priority for customers, communities, and employees.

On Monday, SCE shut off power for thousands of Ventura County residents and businesses as Santa Ana winds whipped through the region, igniting a new fire dubbed the Auto Fire, which firefighters were able to stop from spreading. Just over 44,000 customers in the county were affected by public safety power shutoffs at 6:30 p.m., according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services. Edison cut power for at least 40,000 other customers across Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Orange, and San Bernardino counties. More shutoffs are being considered for another 481,000 customers, including 84,000 in Ventura County.

In a news conference on Monday evening, L.A. County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone asked for the public’s patience during the shutoffs. “Please understand that the inevitable public safety power shutoffs that will be implemented prior to this life-threatening Santa Ana wind event are crucial to preventing new fire starts and they help safe lives. Yes, they’re a challenge to deal with but it’s certainly better than having another fire start.”

In its statement, SCE noted that as a precaution, some customers may experience power outages this weekend and into the coming week. These outages could result from a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), strong winds, wildfires, or other hazardous conditions. “SCE is committed to restoring service as quickly as it is safe to do so. Crews patrolling lines that were de-energized through PSPS have already found damage, demonstrating the effectiveness of these shutoffs in protecting communities during this windstorm.”

Click here to check an outage status.

In case you missed it on the AccuWeather Network Monday night, you can now watch “Wildfire Watch: California in Crisis” right here on AccuWeather.com. This special program dives deep into the heart of Los Angeles’ wildfire epidemic, uncovering the profound impact these blazes have on the community.

Explore the root causes of these catastrophic fires, from the relentless march of climate change to the pressures of urban development. Hear firsthand accounts from experts and local residents who are on the front lines of this crisis.

This comprehensive special offers hope and direction in the face of one of California’s most daunting challenges. Tune in to gain invaluable insights into the steps we must take to mitigate and prevent future wildfires.

Los Angeles Rams fans hold up LAFD signs prior to an NFC Wild Card game against the Minnesota Vikings, at State Farm Stadium on January 13, 2025 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Brooke Sutton/Getty Images)

As wildfires rage in Southern California, thousands of people traveled to Glendale, Arizona, on Monday night to cheer on their team in the first round of the NFL playoffs. The football game was initially slated to be played in Los Angeles, but the game was moved to Arizona due to the evolving wildfire situation. The odds were stacked against Los Angeles, as Minnesota came to town as the favored team following an impressive 14-win season, but that didn’t stop the team from coming together to earn an important victory.

“We knew we weren’t just playing for us,” Los Angeles Quarterback Mathew Stafford said after the game. “We were playing for people back home who needed something to watch and enjoy.” Head coach Sean McVay echoed similar sentiments, according to NFL.com. “With everything that’s going on with our community, everything that these guys have gone through, I thought they epitomized and represented the city the right way,” McVay said. Los Angeles will travel across the country for its next game as they face off against Philadelphia.

AccuWeather forecasters warn that a renewed round of strong winds from Tuesday morning to early Wednesday can rival the initial event in some areas that allowed the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst Fires to rapidly spread, with gusts of 60-80 mph possible across the cities of Ventura and Santa Clarita. The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ for this wind event is 100 mph and is most likely in the higher terrain and mountains surrounding the Los Angeles basin.

Winds in the immediate Los Angeles basin should not be quite as strong as that of the extreme and rare event last week. However, winds of any sort will pose a fire risk even in the most urban areas. Winds of the magnitude forecast can make firefighting efforts extremely challenging and cause ongoing blazes to spread hastily. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles has issued "particularly dangerous situation" fire warnings for the area. These warnings are only issued during the most hazardous weather events, typically only a couple of times per year.

Wildfire victims dealt with unusually chilly weather Tuesday morning. The Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX) dropped to 41 degrees F, with 30s in the mountains north of the city. The temperature at the LAX airport hasn't dropped below that number since Dec. 15, 2021, when it was 40 degrees. Historical average low temperatures typically only dip to 49 degrees at the airport between mid-December and January.

Temperatures at 6 am Tuesday morning were chilly in the Los Angeles area.

Mornings will continue to be chilly over the next week but will moderate slightly to the upper 40s most mornings. High temperatures have been around 70, which matches this historical average for this time of year, but will cool into the lower 60s on Friday and Saturday, then recover by Monday.

Regardless of the weather, a number of shelters are open for evacuees and those who lost power from the fires.

Additional water tankers and scores of firefighters arrived to the Los Angeles area on Monday ahead of fierce winds forecast to return and threaten progress. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said that with the additional help she’s confident the region is ready to face the new threat.

The Eaton Fire near Pasadena is 33% contained, while the Pacific Palisades on the coast is far less contained at just 14%. In all, four fires in the area have consumed more than 62 square miles (160 square kilometers), an area larger than San Francisco.

Firefighters work from a deck as the Palisades Fire burns a beachfront property Jan. 8, 2025, in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

At least 24 people have died in the fires, but more victims continue to be found. The death toll is expected to rise as officials search through the rubble. The fires that began north of downtown LA one week ago have burned more than 12,000 homes, cars and other structures.

Just under 100,000 in Los Angeles County remained under evacuation orders, half the number from last week.

A new fire, called the Auto Fire, broke out late on Monday night in Ventura County but by early Tuesday morning the Ventura County Fire Department said that the fire “was confined to the river bottom and no structures were threatened.”

A K9 unit from the Sheriff department searches for possible body remains in ashes of burned houses at Malibu Beach after 'Palisades Fire' in Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 12, 2025. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

At least 24 deaths from the California wildfires are being reported. Eight of the 24 deaths appear related to the Palisades Fire near the Southern California coast, according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. Another 16 deaths have been attributed to the Eaton Fire, which raged east of Los Angeles. The complete death toll won’t be clear until it’s safe for investigators to enter neighborhoods where there are downed power lines, gas leaks and other hazards, according to authorities.

A K9 unit from the Sheriff department searches for possible body remains in ashes of burned houses at Malibu Beach after 'Palisades Fire' in Los Angeles, California, on Jan. 12, 2025. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Where it’s safe, specialists are using K9 dogs to search through the rubble of homes for remains. K9 dogs, also known as cadaver dogs, are trained to search for human remains in the aftermath of wildfires. They use their sense of smell to locate remains that are buried or burnt, even in destroyed buildings.

Anyone who believes a family member or friend might be missing in one of Los Angeles County’s wildfires should report that person to authorities, Sheriff Robert Luna said Sunday.
Luna said there are about 14 people believed to be missing in connection with the fires.

AccuWeather’s comprehensive coverage of the devastating wildfires in Southern California continues with a dedicated team of live reporters on the ground throughout the Los Angeles area all week long.

The AccuWeather Network can be accessed via cable TV, while AccuWeather NOW offers a comprehensive streaming service available on platforms such as Roku, Zumo, STIRR, LG, and Plex. Enjoy 24/7 programming dedicated to weather phenomena, extreme natural events, global forecasts, and a variety of climate and weather-related documentaries from around the globe.

Wildfire smoke can pose serious health threats ranging from irritated eyes to heart and lung problems. Wildfire smoke contains very tiny particulate matter, or 2.5 micrometers in diameter – the tiniest pollutant, about 1/20th the width of a human hair, yet also the most dangerous. When inhaled, it can travel deep into lung tissue and enter the bloodstream, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Anytime you talk about smoke inhalation, it’s a potentially life-threatening situation,” said Dr. Andrew Ordon, an ENT specialist and general surgeon. “If you inhale too much smoke, it can lead to respiratory failure and you’re not exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide the way you’re supposed to.”

Wildfire smoke can cause or worsen a number of health problems, including reduced lung function, infectious bronchitis, asthma and heart failure, according to the EPA. Sinus trouble and increased cough can also occur. Children, the elderly and people with certain pre-existing conditions, including congestive heart failure, cystic fibrosis and allergic rhinitis, are particularly at risk.

A mobile home community devastated by the Palisades Fire is visible at bottom in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

To minimize the threat of wildfire smoke, remain inside with doors and windows shut to keep the polluted air outside. Drivers are advised to keep windows closed and set the air conditioning to recirculate mode. Do not use whole house fans or swamp coolers that bring in outside air if you have other methods to stay cool. Wearing the appropriate mask, such as N95 or KN95 masks, is crucial, because not all masks will prevent wildfire smoke inhalation.

Fire retardant covers neighborhoods near California wildfires

The image of a plane or helicopter flying over a wildfire and dropping a mysterious red cloud over the forests has been a popular firefighting depiction for years, but how many people actually know what that substance is?

Known as Phos-Chek, the fire retardant has been used to fight blazes since 1963 and has been the main long-term fire retardant used by the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection in recent years. While the exact formula of ingredients isn’t disclosed to the public, the components are mainly phosphate and sulfate salts along with different types of gum and clay that thicken the product.

Retardant is dropped by air tanker on the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

“We mainly use aerial fighting with fire retardants to direct and steer the fire in directions,” Heather Williams, a spokesperson with Cal Fire, told AccuWeather. “Our main aim is to keep the fire away from things like communities or structures.”

According to a report from Phos-Chek about its Class A Foam, one of the main retardants used by CAL FIRE, the foam reduces the amount of water needed to fight a fire. By using less water, the manufacturer claims that the foam helps prevent property damage.

Donation center helps thousands who lost everything in California fires

Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California, has transformed into a beacon of hope and charity, as donations pour in to help those in need. The temporary donation center is providing thousands of people who lost everything with the essentials, including clothes, shoes, water, non-perishable food and children’s toys. Some people even brought grills to cook hot meals for anyone who shows up.

“You know, I never needed donations, but now I understand that need,” said Emily Thomas, a resident of Altadena who lost her home in the Eaton Fire. Thomas told KTLA, “I never thought it would be that bad.”

The winter months are often the wettest time of the year for California, but rain has been almost non-existent for months across the region. Zero rain fell in downtown Los Angeles from June through October, followed by only 0.14 of an inch of rain in November and just 0.02 of an inch of rain in December. From June through January, the city typically measures 7.37 inches, according to historical weather records.

And it may be weeks before meaningful rain returns to Southern California.

“The best chance of rain over the next six weeks appears to be February 10-23,” AccuWeather Lead Long Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said. “If appreciable rain doesn’t occur then, it may turn dry into much of March, further exacerbating the situation.”

When heavy rain does return to Southern California, it could bring a new danger to the areas devastated by the wildfires: flash flooding. “Any time major fires burn large expanses of land, heavy storms bring an increase in flooding, mudslides and debris flows in and near the burn scar,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Ken Clark said. The water that would typically be absorbed by the land instead runs off the charred soil, resulting in a much higher risk of flooding and debris flows. This elevated risk of flooding and mudslides can last for years before the environment starts to recover following the infernos.

In this Jan. 10, 2018, file photo provided by Santa Barbara County Fire Department, Kerry Mann navigates the large boulders and mudflow that destroyed the home of her friend in Montecito, Calif. (Mike Eliason/Santa Barbara County Fire Department via AP, File)

On Jan. 9, 2018, a mudflow swept through Montecito, California, after a storm swept through the region, killing 23 and injuring 163 others. The mud flow originated from the burn scar from the Thomas Fire, which burned nearly 230,000 near the town in 2017.

Nearly all Los Angeles schools and district offices reopened Monday as conditions have improved for a majority of areas across the city and authorities believe it is safe for students and employees to return to their respective campuses, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho announced Sunday.

Schools that have fire damage and will remain closed include:

• Kenter Canyon Charter Elementary School

• Canyon Charter Elementary School

• Paul Revere Charter Middle School

• Topanga Elementary Charter School

• Lanai Road Elementary School

• Palisades High School

Palisades Charter High School posted a statement on Facebook seeking “help from our community after devastating fires left us without a home.”

Last week, closures across Southern California included more than 200 schools in L.A. Unified, all schools in the Santa Monica-Malibu school system, Pasadena Unified, Arcadia Unified and numerous private schools, including Harvard-Westlake. More than 70 charter schools also closed across the region.

Officials say they’ll continue to monitor schools that are within evacuation warning zones. To help residents navigate closures and return to school, the district created the Family and Community Recovery Guide, which includes essential resources for health, transportation, food, and emergency preparedness.

The tragic wildfires in Southern California have affected countless animals, including dogs, cats, and other house pets that now need assistance. Shelters across the region have experienced a surge in animals needing homes, with many pets available for adoption or fostering. Some shelters are also seeking monetary donations to help cover the medical care for animals injured in the fires and to purchase essential supplies such as food, blankets, and carriers, according to KTLA.

How California wildfires have impacted animals, wildlife

Wildlife has also been driven from their homes as flames forced animals to scramble for safety while thousands of acres burned. “Critical coastal habitat, mountain habitat of California has been scorched. There are endangered species including California condors, mountain lions, black bears. There are many creatures now that, if they have not died in these fires, they have been displaced,” Jeff Corwin said, according to the New York Post. Fewer than 500 California condors live in the wild, and the burned areas are critical habitats for this endangered species.

Firenadoes, or fire whirls, were spotted inside the Palisades Fire Friday night. When hot air from a fire rises, more air rushes in behind it on the ground. This can cause a whirling updraft in the shape of a vortex, like a tornado or waterspout.

Smoke, ash, and in some cases fire, can be swept up into the fire whirl. They are typically short-lived, but can be dangerous to firefighters.

Three sisters evacuated from their home walk with belongings after the Eaton Fire in Altadena, Calif., Jan. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)

As wildfires continue to rage across the Los Angeles area, communities across the affected regions are in urgent need of assistance to recover. Entire neighborhoods have been decimated with thousands of homes and businesses razed.

The devastating impacts of these historic wildfires have left countless families without homes and essential services, creating a pressing call for support and solidarity. At AccuWeather.com, we are committed to guiding our readers on how they can make a meaningful difference.

We have compiled a list of organizations and volunteer opportunities where your contributions, whether in time, resources or donations, can have a profound impact on the lives of those striving to overcome these challenging times.

League of California Community Foundations - Links to funds for specific communities affected by the fires.

California Community Fund
Donate Here

Pasadena Community Foundation
Donate Here

YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles
Donate Here

Red Cross
Donate Here

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE LIST.

A new warning has been issued for areas near the Palisades Fire, not due to the spreading flames but for an invisible threat in the community’s drinking water. “DO NOT DRINK OR COOK WITH THE TAP WATER,” the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power said in a statement on Jan. 10. The area affected by the water notice is the 90272 zip code and adjacent communities, which is located near the ongoing Palisades Fire. Officials are also warning not to treat the tap water and that only bottled water is safe.

“Disease-causing organisms or other contaminants could be present [in the water],” the public notice said. “These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. If you experience any of these symptoms, please consult with your healthcare professional as soon as possible.” It is unknown when the tap water will be safe to drink, cook with, or use for bathing and washing dishes.

The wildfires torching Southern California could be the worst natural disaster in US history, Gov. Gavin Newsom said, according to CNN. “I think it will be in terms of just the costs associated with it, in terms of the scale and the scope,” Newsom said in a weekend interview.

The Eaton and Palisades Fires are likely the second and fourth most destructive in California history. The Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires have consumed more than 62 square miles (160 square kilometers), which is an area larger than San Francisco. As of Sunday evening, the Palisades Fire was 13% contained and containment on the Eaton Fire reached 27%.

Entire neighborhoods have been wiped from the map, with more than 5,300 homes and other buildings destroyed by the coastal Palisades Fire, which is now the most destructive ever to hit L.A. County. The Eaton fire in Altadena and Pasadena has damaged or destroyed at least 7,000 homes and other buildings.

A man looks for belongings in the remains of his home in Altadena, California, on January 9. (Photo credit: Ringo Chiu/Reuters via CNN Newsource)

Crews from California and nine other states are fighting flames with nearly 1,400 fire engines, 84 aircraft and more than 14,000 personnel, including newly arrived firefighters from Mexico.

Join us Monday night on the AccuWeather Network for an insightful special, “Wildfire Watch: California in Crisis,” as we explore the significant impact of wildfires in Los Angeles. The program will examine the causes behind the devastating fires and highlights the essential steps needed to address this growing problem.

Learn about the factors contributing to the wildfire crisis, including climate change and urban development, and hear from experts and community members.

“Wildfire Watch: California in Crisis” offers a comprehensive look at the challenges and potential paths forward in managing and preventing wildfires, premiering tonight on the AccuWeather Network and AccuWeather NOW at 6:00 p.m. ET.

The AccuWeather Network is accessible via cable TV, while AccuWeather NOW offers a comprehensive streaming service available on Roku, Zumo, STIRR, LG, and Plex. Enjoy 24/7 programming dedicated to weather phenomena, extreme natural events, global forecasts, and a variety of climate and weather-related documentaries from around the globe.

Another round of dangerous Santa Ana winds is expected across Southern California from Monday to Wednesday, AccuWeather forecasters warn.

The upcoming winds will create extreme fire danger and can rival the initial winds that caused the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst Fires to explode in size last week, with gusts to 60-80 mph possible across the cities of Ventura and Santa Clarita.

Winds of this magnitude can make firefighting efforts extremely challenging and cause ongoing blazes to spread quickly. The AccuWeather Local StormMax™ for this wind event is 100 mph, and is most likely in the higher terrain and mountains surrounding the Los Angeles basin.

"The winds are expected to be gusty from the northeast-to-east direction during the early week period with humidity levels remaining low," said AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok.

The dry landscape is in dire need of moisture, forecasters say. The parched vegetation has provided fuel for fires scorching the region. Unfortunately, Lead Long Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok said there are minimal rain chances in the Los Angeles area through the end of January with the dryness factor elevating fire risk for many locations. However, the dry spell will be followed by an increased chance of rain during the weeks of February 10 and February 17.

AccuWeather’s estimate of the total damage and economic loss from the devastating wildfires burning in Southern California, which are endangering and disrupting lives has been raised to between $250 billion and $275 billion.  

“This is already one of the worst wildfires in California history. Should a large number of additional structures be burned in the coming days, it may become the worst wildfire in modern California history based on the number of structures burned and economic loss,” AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter said.

Entire neighborhoods unrecognizable after Southern California infernos

The worst of the fires are burning in an area from Santa Monica to Malibu, impacting some of the most expensive real estate in the country, with median home values over $2 million.

To put the magnitude of loss into context, this latest damage and economic estimate for the fires burning in Southern California surpasses the damage and economic loss numbers for the entire 2020 wildfire season, which was a very active U.S. wildfire season, Porter noted. The damage and economic loss in Los Angeles is far higher than the deadly Maui wildfires in 2023, which were $13 billion to $16 billion and have also surpassed the $225 to $250 billion estimate for damages and economic loss after 2024's Hurricane Helene.

There are significant risks for residents, their homes, and their businesses, as well as negative impacts on tourism and health due to smoke inhalation and smoke damage in non-destroyed structures going forward. This estimate is preliminary, as the infernos continue to spread and impacts continue to occur, and some areas have not reported information about damage, injuries, and other impacts.

A man walks in front of the burning Altadena Community Church, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, in the downtown Altadena section of Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

At least 24 deaths are being reported and authorities say dozens are missing as firefighters in California battle several wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, sending tens of thousands of residents running for their lives as wind-whipped flames destroy homes and businesses.

All 24 fatalities occurred in the Los Angeles area, according to a Sunday afternoon update from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner, with eight from the Palisades Fire along the coast and 16 from the Eaton Fire farther inland.

As the Eaton Fire decimated the city of Altadena, it killed more than a dozen neighbors, several of whom lived on the same street, according to CNN. The death toll is expected to rise as teams with cadaver dogs search destroyed neighborhoods. A center where people can report the missing has been established by authorities.

Additionally, there have been a “high number of significant injuries to residents who did not evacuate in addition to first responders who are on the fire line,” Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone said.

Read more about the California wildfires:

With minutes to evacuate, evacuees agonized over what to take

Will California homeowners relocate or rebuild? Both are costly

The iconic and beloved landmarks impacted by the L.A wildfires

Why did Los Angeles firefighters run out of water?