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Climate

11 Photos From a California on Fire

January is not supposed to be fire season.

Jacob Lambert •
01/08/2025
The Palisades Fire.
Apu Gomes/Getty Images

The Palisades, Hurst, and Eaton fires now spreading across Los Angeles are yet another reminder that our rapidly changing climate now acts in unprecedented ways, with hurricane-force winds, longstanding drought, and a host of other factors contributing to blazes that have so far caused two deaths, the evacuation of thousands, and mounting property damage. The following images are at once shockingly new — it is, after all, January in Los Angeles — and numbingly familiar.

Smoke from the Palisades Fire billow over the Los Angeles skyline Tuesday.Smoke from the Palisades Fire billow over the Los Angeles skyline Tuesday.Eric Thayer/Getty Images


The Palisades Fire burns near homes amid a powerful windstorm.The Palisades Fire burns near homes amid a powerful windstorm.Mario Tama/Getty Images


An onlooker takes photos as the Palisades Fire burns.An onlooker takes photos as the Palisades Fire burns.Mario Tama/Getty Images


Traffic backs up on Sunset Boulevard as people attempt to evacuate from the Palisades Fire Tuesday.Traffic backs up on Sunset Boulevard as people attempt to evacuate from the Palisades Fire Tuesday.Apu Gomes/Getty Images


Police officers help people evacuate along Sunset Boulevard.Police officers help people evacuate along Sunset Boulevard.Apu Gomes/Getty Images


A firefighting aircraft drops a fire retardant on the Palisades Fire Tuesday.A firefighting aircraft drops a fire retardant on the Palisades Fire Tuesday.Mario Tama/Getty Images


Houses burn in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood Tuesday night.Houses burn in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood Tuesday night.Eric Thayer/Getty Images


Roughly 50 miles to the northeast, the Eaton Fire burns in Sierra Madre.Roughly 50 miles to the northeast, the Eaton Fire burns in Sierra Madre.Mario Tama/Getty Images

Wind bends palm trees as the Eaton Fire moves through Altadena.Wind bends palm trees as the Eaton Fire moves through Altadena.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Flames attack the fireplace of a home in Pacific Palisades Tuesday night.Flames attack the fireplace of a home in Pacific Palisades Tuesday night.Eric Thayer/Getty Images


Sparks fly from the wheel of a burned school bus as the Eaton Fire moves through Altadena on Wednesday morning.Sparks fly from the wheel of a burned school bus as the Eaton Fire moves through Altadena on Wednesday morning.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Jacob Lambert profile image

Jacob Lambert

Jacob is Heatmap's founding multimedia editor. Before joining Heatmap, he was The Week's digital art director and an associate editor at MAD magazine.

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