2025 Los Angeles Wildfires
Statistics and Numbers
By the Tzu Chi USA Culture and Communications Department
Published #76 | Spring 2025 Issue
SHARE
Disaster Impact
- On January 7, 2025, a series of 14 wildfires rapidly erupted across the Los Angeles metropolitan area and San Diego County in California — heightened by drought conditions and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds.
- The fires affected multiple heavily populated areas, such as Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
- The affected area was approximately 57,636 acres, with more than 18,000 buildings damaged or destroyed and 29 lives lost.
- More than 200,000 residents were evacuated.
- January is typically outside the norm for wildfires in Los Angeles, but from January 7 to January 22, satellites detected more than 200 fire alerts, 130 times the average during the same period of time from 2012 to 2024.
- This was the most economically damaging wildfire in Los Angeles County’s history; insured losses are estimated to exceed $40 billion, and property losses caused by the fire exceed $250 billion.
Gathering Love
- Tzu Chi USA launched an emergency relief fundraising campaign on January 8, Help Los Angeles Heal, inviting the support of all Tzu Chi USA and Indonesian branches.
- Total donations raised: $7,125,214.29
Distribution Registration
- From January 14 to February 16, Tzu Chi USA set up a webpage for wildfire survivors to apply for relief.
- Tzu Chi volunteers assisted survivors in registering at three government-established Disaster Recovery Centers.
- Through these, 5,029 applications were submitted, and 478 volunteers were mobilized to assist in the registration process.
- On January 17, Tzu Chi USA established the Los Angeles Wildfires Emergency Operations Center at the San Gabriel Valley Service Center.
West Los Angeles Service Center
Conducted 10 distributions between January 18 and March 9
- Volunteers mobilized: 282 shifts
- Cash card distribution amount: $1,299,350
- Recipients helped: 4,507 individuals
San Gabriel Valley Service Center
Conducted 10 distributions between January 18 and March 9
- Volunteers mobilized: 788 shifts
- Cash card distribution amount: $2,355,650
- Recipients helped: 9,847 individuals
2025 Wildfires Resource Hub
From January 27 to February 1, Tzu Chi held 6 consecutive distribution sessions.
- Volunteers mobilized: 275 shifts
- Cash card distribution amount: $1,077,900
- Recipients helped: 4,074 individuals
Total aid distributed
By March 9, Tzu Chi volunteers had conducted 26 large-scale distributions, providing:
- $4,732,900 in cash card relief
- 4,288 DA.AI eco-blankets
- 226 pairs of prescription eyeglasses
- Benefiting 4,390 households (18,428 individuals)
