The Sun rises over homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
LOS ANGELES, CA — It's sad to think that nearly two weeks have already passed since two massive fires caused tens of thousands to evacuate their homes in the Los Angeles area. Now officials say many residents won't be returning any time soon amid new dangers from landslides to asbestos laden debris.
More than 80,000 people were still under evacuation orders Friday with many still not sure what's left to go back to. Residents were seen gathering at checkpoints begging police and national guard soldiers to let them back into the neighborhoods damaged by the fires. Officials say that it will take, at least, another week for hazardous materials teams and cadaver dogs to survey the areas block by block.
So far, the two fires have taken 27 lives and destroyed more than 12,000 structures. The area scorched by the fires is equal to three times the size of Manhattan and will be remembered as one of the most devastating natural disasters in California history.
Find out what's happening in Los Angelesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
See photo updates of the aftermath below.
An aerial view shows the devastation by the Palisades Fire Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Homes at the Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates destroyed by the Palisades Fire are seen in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, January 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)SoCalGas workers dig a trench to secure natural gas infrastructure of homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)Charred vehicles are illuminated by utility lights at homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)The Pacific Palisades Bowl Mobile Estates destroyed by the Palisades Fire is seen in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)Fire crews work the burn zone of the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Members of the National Guard set up a beachfront camp across homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)A person walks on the beach next to homes damaged by the Palisades Fire Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)A burnt tree is seen outside an elementary school destroyed by the Eaton Fire, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)A car damaged by the Eaton Fire is seen Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)An aerial view shows the devastation by the Palisades Fire Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)An aerial view shows the devastation by the Palisades Fire Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)An aerial view shows the devastation by the Palisades Fire Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Malibu, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Enzo Aranda, with the San Diego facilities department, reorganizes his tent in the first responder's tent sleeping area, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Fire crews work the burn zone of the Palisades Fire in Mandeville Canyon Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Police officers inspect cars abandoned on Sunset Boulevard during by the Palisades Fire in Palisades, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Associated Press contributed to this post.
Find out what's happening in Los Angelesfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
