Los Angeles Wildfire Crisis Deepens as Thousands Remain at Risk

Reported by Audrey Grice

Illustrated by Mia Baukol

The start of 2025 has been challenging for Los Angeles (LA) residents, who have faced devastating fires and evacuation notices since Jan. 7. As of Friday, Jan. 24, over 55,000 acres have burned, and more than 16,000 structures have been destroyed. 

While the Palisades Fire and Eaton Fire, which ignited on Jan. 7, are now nearly contained, smaller fires have since emerged, including the Hughes Fire. The Hughes Fire alone has burned over 10,000 acres and led to the closure of five major roads.

For many George Fox University (GFU) students, the fires in Southern California are distant news. However, for some, the ongoing disaster hits close to home. Freshman Alex Vega, a resident of L.A., experienced first hand the dangers of the fires before returning to campus for the spring semester.

On Jan. 9, Vega received an evacuation warning while still at home. Although the notice was issued in error and his family did not need to leave their home, the threat of the fires loomed large. “I walked out [of my house], and I could really smell [the smoke],” Vega said.

The smoke and ash created dangerous conditions in his neighborhood. Vega described the eerie scene: “Ashes were falling from the sky. All this wind was just blowing the ashes. It looked like snow.” His sister’s school soon called parents to pick up their children, and Vega’s mother stayed home from work as downtown LA was engulfed in smoke.

Despite the fires, Vega managed to fly to Oregon in time for the semester to start. However, being away from his family during such a stressful time has been difficult. “[The fires] almost made me not want to go to my flight [to GFU],” Vega said. “My fear was leaving [my family] by themselves and not being able to do anything…to help them while I’m over here safe.”

To cope with the distance, Vega checks in with his family regularly and ensures they have an evacuation plan. He has also received support from the GFU community, including an email from campus pastor Jamie Johnson, who reached out to California students affected by the fires. “There was emotional support especially from George Fox,” Vega said.

According to CAL FIRE, seven fires remain active in Southern California as of Jan. 24, with six more than 70% contained. For residents like Vega and his family, the hope is that relief will come soon.