THE PULSE | WINTER 2025 ISSUE
WILDFIRES LEAVE PATH OF DESTRUCTION ACROSS CALIFORNIA On Jan. 7, 2025, a devastating fire erupted in the Pacific Palisades, an affluent neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. As of Jan. 28, the fire has destroyed over 12,000 structures, displaced roughly 200,000 residents, and claimed the lives of at least 29 people. Once a vibrant community and home to many, much of the Palisades now lies in ruins, leaving its people to rebuild from the ashes. While the Pacific Palisades is famously home to celebrities including Tom Hanks, Bradley Cooper, and Jennifer Aniston, it is also a community for a large working-class population. In the 1970s, homes in this area cost between $50,000 and $100,000. Conversely, Realtor.com reported a median listing price of $4.9 million — a 9.5% increase year-over-year. Despite its reputation as an enclave for the wealthy, many residents with median incomes have been left with nothing in the wake of the fire. Although there are speculations, the cause of the fire remains unknown, but it is evident that California’s drought conditions and strong Santa Ana winds contributed to its rapid spread and extensive damage. Additionally, efforts to contain the fire were exacerbated by a dearth of water available through the Palisades fire hydrants.
An aerial view of beachside homes destroyed in the Palisades Fire along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. Taken by Mario Tama (Getty Images).
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By Logan Kreisberg
On Truth Social, President Donald Trump attributed the situation to Governor Newsom’s alleged refusal to “sign the water restoration declaration put before him that would have allowed millions of gallons of water from excess rain and snowmelt from the north to flow daily into many parts of California, including the areas that are currently burning in a virtually apocalyptic way.” Although the origin is not concrete, the Palisades fires were only 14% contained over a week after they manifested, likely stemming from the lack of access to water. In the heart of the Pacific Palisades lies a collection of shops and restaurants, most of which have been destroyed, with the exception of the Palisades Village. Created by American billionaire business owner Rick Caruso in 2018, this outdoor mall survived the fires largely unscathed. The shop owners took proactive measures, hiring private tankers to combat the advancing flames and protect their businesses. In the area were also a handful of schools, which no longer stand. The most significant was Palisades Charter High School, which the Los Angeles Times reported that “about 40% of the campus was damaged or destroyed.” Classes are now being held online districtwide while repairs are going on. Independent schools were also affected by the fires including the Village School, Seven Arrows Elementary, Corpus Christi, and multiple others. To gain insight into how life has impacted the average person, The Pulse spoke with Ruby Fox, a junior at Marlborough High School in Los Angeles. The morning the fires entered the area, Ruby recalls, waking up to a “completely black sky filled with smoke.” She said, “I woke up and thought it was the apocalypse.”
She added, “We went to school that day without access to our phones,” noting that her school enforces a Yondr Pouch Policy. “We had no idea how severe the fire was until school ended. Many of my friends lost their homes during this time and couldn’t communicate with their parents about the belongings they wanted to save.” Although the fire containment efforts improved significantly in the weeks following Jan. 7, the Palisades, Hughes, and Eaton fires left Los Angeles grappling with widespread destruction. The full extent of the impact is difficult to quantify, as countless individuals and families were affected. The city has truly united in efforts to rebuild. On Jan. 30, dozens of Los Angelesbased music artists came together to host the FireAid benefit concert. According to The New York Times, the event raised over $60 million. As awards season unfolds, several LA shows are also focusing on raising awareness and funds for the wildfires, with the 67th annual Grammys contributing more than $7 million. There are additional ways to support those affected besides donating money. Ruby shared with The Pulse, “I learned from the fires that the best way to truly help is through jumping in and assisting with specific tasks. When people experience such a profound disaster, it can be difficult to articulate the things they need, so helping them buy new clothes or food is far more effective than generally offering help.” To assist those impacted by the fires, The Pulse encourages you to visit the Los Angeles Times for more information and regular updates. And if you are able, we also recommend you donate to the California Community Foundation or purchase NBA Lakers memorabilia, as all proceeds will support efforts to help the Los Angeles community recuperate and rebuild.
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