a map of a fire
Source: The State of California.
Brian Cohen·
Weather
··6 min read

Wildfires in Southern California: January 2025 Travel Alert

At least 98 wildfires in Southern California in January 2025 continue to burn out of control, as at least ten fatalities have been reported and approximately 36,000 acres have already burned with greater than 10,000 structures destroyed — and the high winds in the area have only exacerbated this situation, which resulted in both additional airlines issuing new travel waivers and other airlines extending existing travel waivers.

Wildfires in Southern California: January 2025 Travel Alert

The following statement is currently posted at the official Internet web site of the National Weather Service of the United States:

Critical Fire Weather Conditions in Southern California

Critical fire weather conditions will continue across Southern California through this evening. Winds will begin to taper off this tonight and into Saturday.

The good news is that the Santa Ana winds — which have gusted to as much as 100 miles per hour and have helped to fuel the fires — will become less of a threat starting tonight.

More good news is that the two largest wildfires are starting to be partially contained. Both the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire were at zero percent containment only yesterday, Thursday, January 9, 2025. At the time this article was written, the Palisades Fire is at least eight percent contained; and the Eaton Fire is at least three percent contained — and although they are nowhere near being completely under control, this progress is at least a start in the right direction.

Unfortunately, the bad news is that the wildfires are continuing their destructive damage, with thousands of people either homeless or displaced as a result of mandatory evacuation orders. New wildfires have since started burning as far south as Temecula and as far east as Cathedral City. Arson was blamed for the ignition of the Kenneth Fire in Los Angeles and Ventura. This article at The Gate With Brian Cohen reported only two days ago that 35 fires were burning in California. Since then, that number has increased significantly to at least 98 wildfires.

Incredibly, fire hydrants were reported to be dry; so firefighters could not use them to extinguish the flames.

Furthermore, this official letter from Kristen M. Crowley — who is the current chief of the Los Angeles Fire Department — from July 22, 2024 acknowledges that the budget for the fire department for financial year 2024-2025 was reduced by $17,553,814.00. Did that difference of two percent in the budget ultimately contribute to impeding upon fighting the wildfires that are currently burning?

Joseph Biden has pledged that the federal government of the United States will support the efforts to help Southern California for the next 180 days. “Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster”, according to this official press release from The White House. “Federal funding also is available to State, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work in Los Angeles County.”

The mayor of Los Angeles — who had just returned from a trip to Ghana while the deputy mayor was under investigation over an alleged bomb threat — was asked by a reporter of Sky News if she owes the citizens of the city an apology as to how she handled the wildfire situation, You can view the response — or lack thereof — from Karen Bass in this video.

Photographs, Videos, and Reaction and Commentary Via Social Media

The following was posted via social media:

Flight Waivers, Delays and Cancellations

If you are traveling to, from, or within Southern California over the next several days or so, expect delays and cancellations of flights. Keep up to date on the latest information pertaining to the wildfires which may adversely affect your travel plans. Better yet, postponing or canceling your trip might be a better option — no matter which mode of travel you plan on taking.

If you have a flight scheduled, your flight may be delayed or canceled — and you may be eligible for a waiver of a fee to change your itinerary.

Here are 14 airlines which have issued travel alerts as a result of the wildfires:

Final Boarding Call

The support that the current president of the United States is giving to the citizens of California has reportedly angered people who suffered from disasters in Louisiana, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and other areas of the United States that were significantly impacted by disasters as they are supposedly still waiting for relief to come their way.

As you can probably tell, the blame game is fully under way — with unhealthy helpings of politics, rhetoric, conspiracy theories, and other innuendo that only worsen the situation for thousands of people who suddenly no longer have a home or any belongings left. My thoughts and prayers go out those people who are suffering as a result of a combination of a catastrophe of biblical proportions mixed with the usual blatant incompetence of those who are supposed to be leaders.

Do not be surprised to see additional airlines issue travel waivers — as well as existing travel waivers being extended — as long as the wildfires remain out of control.

Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: travel safely.

Source: The State of California.

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