Early 2025 California fires are fully contained, but the scars remain

By Khoa Nguyen, Staff Writer

Published Feb 11, 2025

People escape the approaching Palisades Fire by car and on foot, in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)

The two devastating wildfires threatening millions of lives in Southern California have been fully contained, California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) announced on Feb. 1.

The Eaton and Palisades fires together destroyed over 37,000 acres, claimed 29 civilian lives and injured 10 firefighters, according to CAL FIRE statistics. The Eaton Fire alone destroyed more than 9,400 structures near Altadena and Midwick drives, while the Palisades Fire burned over 6,800 structures in Pacific Palisades. Both infernos damaged more than 1,000 structures each.

In 2023 and 2018, wildfires caused 130 and 104 fatalities, respectively, making them the deadliest years in U.S. history, according to Statista. The Eaton and Palisades fires alone in January 2025 accounted for nearly a fifth of all wildfire-related deaths recorded in each of those years.

In terms of fatalities, this year’s Eaton and Palisades fires rank as the second deadliest, tying with the Griffith Park Fire of 1933. The Camp Fire of 2018 remains the deadliest wildfire in U.S. history, with 85 reported deaths, according to Statista.

The January 2025 Los Angeles fires also rank just behind the Camp Fire in terms of structures destroyed. According to Statista, the Camp Fire destroyed over 18,000 structures, while the Eaton and Palisades fires followed closely, with a combined total of 16,200 structures lost.

California is the second-largest home state for TCU students, with 1,527 students, following Texas, according to the TCU Fact Book.

“Approximately 325 students are from Los Angeles and Ventura counties, so it is safe to assume the wildfires have affected them in some way,” said Michael Russel, associate vice chancellor for student affairs.

Russel said the campus offered resources like the Dean of Students Office, the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life, the Health Center, and the Counseling & Mental Health Center to affected students.

He added that students significantly impacted by the fires and in need of financial assistance can directly reach out to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid or the Frog Family Crisis Fund for additional support.