Analysis: Palisades Fire

The Palisades Fire has left a significant mark on Los Angeles County, underscoring the challenges of wildfire management in the modern era. Burning over 23,713 acres, the fire has caused widespread destruction, with approximately 5,000 structures damaged or destroyed and 10 confirmed fatalities (source: fire.ca.gov).

This wildfire tore through an area characterized by dense, dry vegetation—primarily chaparral, a plant community notorious for its flammability during drought conditions. Non-native eucalyptus trees, which also populate parts of the region, have exacerbated the fire’s intensity due to their highly combustible oils. These environmental factors, coupled with California’s ongoing drought and urban encroachment into fire-prone areas, create a volatile recipe for devastation.

This before-and-after satellite analysis highlights the extent of the Palisades Fire’s destruction, with burnt vegetation shaded in red. The analysis spans from mid-December, when the Franklin Fire devastated Malibu, to January, as the Palisades Fire consumed vast stretches of the region.


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