The 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires started just over a year ago. We now know that the firestorm began on January 1, 2025, and the initial eight-acre brushfire was an act of arson. Fire crews believed that they had extinguished the brushfire, but hotspots remained. On January 7, 2025, the Santa Ana winds and dry conditions re-ignited embers of the previous fire, causing the Palisades Fire.
Multiple fires burned in Southern California through January 2025, destroying thousands of homes, engulfing entire communities, and claiming many lives. Our lawyers representing Eaton Fire survivors want to examine what happened one year ago. We’ll go over the causes of the two biggest L.A. fires in history, how the area was affected, and what we can learn from this disaster.
If you were affected by the Eaton Fire or any of the Southern California wildfires last year, our hearts go out to you. Danko Meredith can help you seek compensation if you lost your home because of Southern California Edison (SCE). For a free consultation, contact our law firm today. You can also call us at (650) 453-3600.
The Lachman Fire: January 1, 2025
The initial fire that became the L.A. firestorm was started by Jonathan Rinderknecht in the early hours of January 1, 2025.
According to a timeline from ABC7 News in Los Angeles, Rinderknecht had completed a shift as an Uber driver on New Year’s Eve and dropped off a passenger in the Pacific Palisades. He proceeded to walk up a trail in the area and intentionally started the Lachman Fire using a barbecue-style lighter that was later found in his glove compartment.
Rinderknecht initially fled the scene but returned to the trail to watch firefighters contain the brushfire in the early morning hours.
The Lachman Fire burned eight acres and did not damage homes or other nearby structures.
The Lachman Fire Was Not Fully Extinguished
While fire crews believed the Lachman Fire was fully contained before 5:00 am on New Year’s Day, there were still hotspots smoldering in the roots underground. Drought conditions and heavy winds meant there was a high risk of a major wildfire in the region.
A wildfire that starts in the aftermath of a previous fire is known as a holdover fire (zombie fire). The unseen hotspots can last for days, weeks, or much longer. Under the right conditions, a holdover fire can re-ignite, which happened in Los Angeles just days after the Lachman Fire.
The Palisades Fire
The Palisades Fire was first reported on the morning of January 7, 2025. It started around the burn scar where the Lachman Fire was located. The fire initially covered 10 acres, but the severe drought conditions and Santa Ana winds quickly caused the fire to spread; some gusts of wind were reported to be 80 mph and higher. According to a report from Los Angeles Magazine on the day the Palisades Fire started, the fire grew 770 acres in just three hours; that’s the equivalent of three football fields a minute.
The Palisades Fire affected thousands of homes and structures in Pacific Palisades, Topanga, and Malibu. At the peak of the firefighting efforts, crews from all over the western United States coordinated with firefighters from Mexico and Canada to contain the massive blaze.
On January 31, 2025, the Palisades Fire was finally fully contained.
The Eaton Fire
The Eaton Fire was a separate but devastating wildfire roughly 35 miles away from the Palisades Fire. It started in the hills above the Eaton Canyon Wash on the evening of January 7, 2025. Wind gusts up to 100 mph spread the blaze and sent embers into nearby communities, notably Atladena. In just 12 hours, the Eaton Fire had grown to 2,227 acres.
According to a recent report from KTLA 5, the Eaton Fire was likely caused by a decommissioned SCE power line that was re-energized when it made contact with a live power line. Officials with SoCal Edison referred to this as a “zombie power line.”
On January 31, 2025, the Eaton Fire was finally fully contained.
Other L.A. County Fires That Burned in January 2025
The Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire were the largest and most destructive wildfires in January 2025. However, they were just two of the 14 fires that burned in the Los Angeles area and parts of San Diego County.
Three other notable January 2025 wildfires in the Los Angeles metropolitan area included:
- The Hurst Fire: The Hurst Fire started on January 7, 2025, burning 799 acres. It was fully contained on January 16.
- The Kenneth Fire: The Kenneth Fire started on January 9, 2025, burning 1,052 acres. It was fully contained on January 12.
- The Hughes Fire: The Hughes Fire started on January 22, 2025, burning 10,425 acres. It was fully contained on January 30.
The Damage Caused by the 2025 Southern California Wildfires
The wildfires that raged through Southern California at the beginning of 2025 caused untold damage in Los Angeles County and parts of San Diego County. Below are some current estimates of the damage done.
- Total Acres Burned: Over 57,500 acres burned.
- Damage to Homes and Businesses: Over 18,000 homes, businesses, and other structures were damaged or destroyed.
- Estimated Value of the Damage: According to a recent report from the Los Angeles Times, the total cost of wildfire damage could exceed $250 billion.
- Number of Lives Lost: The official confirmed death toll from these fires is 31. However, a study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) found that the death toll could be much higher. The study estimates the death toll at around 440, accounting for smoke inhalation, air pollution, disruptions in healthcare, and other factors related to the wildfires.
How These Fires Compare to Other California Wildfires
The two notable Los Angeles County wildfires that burned through most of January 2025 are among the deadliest in California history.
- The Eaton Fire is ranked as the fifth-deadliest and second most-destructive wildfire in recorded California history. 9,418 buildings were destroyed, 1,071 buildings were damaged, and at least 19 people lost their lives.
- The Palisades Fire is ranked as the tenth-deadliest and third most-destructive wildfire in recorded California history. 6,837 buildings were destroyed, 1,017 buildings were damaged, and at least 12 people lost their lives.
What Made the 2025 L.A. Wildfires So Massive and Dangerous?
When we considered how wildfires travel and spread, we noted what fires need and how they grow. The conditions in Southern California last year were a perfect storm for disaster. These are the key factors that made those Los Angeles County fires so devastating:
- The Santa Ana Winds: The strong and persistent Santa Ana winds had gusts up to 100 mph in some areas. Those winds re-ignited the smoldering embers of the Lachman Fire, which led to the Palisades Fire. Heavy winds also pushed a live power line into a decommissioned line in the Eaton Canyon hills, which sparked the fire there. Heavy winds can also send embers hundreds of yards away, thwarting firefighter containment efforts.
- Heavy Rains and Drought Conditions: California often experiences heavy rains and atmospheric rivers followed by a long dry season. Drought conditions and low humidity turn vegetation into fuel for the next wildfire.
- Climate Change: Climate change has only exacerbated the weather patterns we’ve noted above. As many parts of the world face extreme weather due to climate change, California similar faces a dangerous reality of major wildfires.
- The Presence of Nearby Homes: Many homes in California are built near forests, hiking trails, and wild areas full of brush and trees. This is known as the wildland urban interface (WUI). The proximity to these wildfire-prone areas puts countless homes, businesses, and communities in danger when a fire happens.
Could a Massive Wildfire Like This Affect Other California Communities?
Yes. Let’s think about where wildfires usually happen and what causes wildfires.
Wildfires tend to occur in places with dry conditions and low humidity. There needs to be a lot of dry vegetation around for fuel. If a wildfire starts, it can spread quickly because of heavy winds.
We saw last year how affluent neighborhoods and middle-class or working-class neighborhoods in Los Angeles can be destroyed by a major wildfire. Or think back to the Tubbs Fire in 2017, which started in Napa County but eventually spread to Santa Rosa, destroying around 2,900 homes.
This is a real concern Californians need to consider as we start 2026.
How Can California Communities Prepare for the Next Big Wildfire?
We’ve represented many wildfire survivors over the years. We’ve also noted the growing hazards in communities all over California just given the realities of the WUI.
We encourage you to look over our past post on how to prepare for a wildfire. This includes advice on how to fireproof your residence, what to include in a go-bag if you have to evacuate, and other practical tips to keep you and your family safe.
Our team also encourages you to review our previous post on what to do when a wildfire is near your neighborhood. This also includes some wildfire preparedness advice, while also noting important information about evacuations.
As always, keep tabs on the CAL FIRE website for the latest wildfire updates.
Utility Companies Need to Be More Diligent
Since the Eaton Fire was caused by utility company negligence, companies like SoCal Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) also have a role to play in preventing future wildfire disasters.
Many utility-caused wildfires happen when these companies are negligent in the repair and maintenance of their transmission towers and power lines. Issues can also occur because of trees near power infrastructure, and when these companies fail to shut off power during high wind situations.
When utility companies fail the people of California and cause or contribute to wildfire damage, our lawyers are here to hold them accountable and seek damages for working Californians.
Why Choose Danko Meredith for Your Wildfire Lawsuit
Danko Meredith continues to fight for regular Californians whose lives have been upended by negligent companies and powerful interests. Our experienced California wildfire lawyers can level the playing field against PG&E, SCE, or SDG&E whenever they put profits over public safety.
We have the track record, resources, and trial experience to fight and win. Utilities know who we are and know that we won’t back down or settle for less.
Years of Experience Taking on Utility Companies
At Danko Meredith, our attorneys have more than 120 years of combined experience practicing law. This includes many years spent taking on PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, and other utilities.
We’ve secured settlements for victims of the 2010 PG&E pipeline explosion in San Bruno. Our lawyers have also helped take on Hawaiian Electric for its role in the 2023 Maui wildfires in Lahaina. Danko Meredith knows how to investigate wildfire cases, what evidence to look for, and how to present your story in a compelling way that’s backed by facts.
We Have a Strong Record of Legal Success
We encourage you to look through our record of past verdicts and settlements. It’s full of eight-figure and seven-figure outcomes.
How have we achieved success for our clients? It’s mainly thanks to our trial experience and resources.
A lot of law firms look to settle because court cases are drawn out and expensive. Danko Meredith will not settle for less than what a case is worth. Our firm puts our resources into an extensive investigation into your case, and we can hire some of the best expert witnesses in the country. Our attorneys prepare all cases as if we’re going to trial.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
If a massive wildfire has destroyed your home, ruined your livelihood, or taken the life of a family member, the last thing you want to see is another bill. That’s why Danko Meredith offers free case reviews as well as representation on a contingency fee basis.
Simply put: our clients pay us nothing unless we win.
At Danko Meredith, our attorneys are here to support you against the utility companies and secure as much compensation as possible. We will help you receive compensation for your pain, suffering, and other wildfire-related losses.
Contact the California Wildfire Attorneys of Danko Meredith
If you or someone you know has been affected by a wildfire, you can turn to Danko Meredith for help. We’re ready to take on utility companies that cause unprecedented devastation due to negligence. To request a free consultation with our wildfire attorneys, contact our Bay Area law firm today. You can also call us at (650) 453-3600.