January 7th, 2025 is a day that will always be remembered by residents within the Palisades and Los Angeles, California. Four men were hiking at Skull Rock in the Palisades when they encountered a fire. The fire was seen at Skull Rock at 10:30 a.m. quickly spreading throughout the Palisades in hours. 

“If I came across a fire while hiking I think I would’ve freaked out,” sophomore Laurel Verbos said. “I would immediately have called 9-1-1, but I think I would’ve been in shock and fear.”

A few hours later, another fire, the Eaton Fire, ignited north of LA. This fire spread to 14,000 acres and is now 99% contained. 

Then, on Wednesday morning, January 8th, the Hughes Fire began near Castaic Lake in LA. This fire spread to 10,000 acres, and now the area is 98% contained. 

“As firefighters were battling the largest blazes, additional fires broke out in the Los Angeles area,” NBC News said. “Crews were able to stop the forward spread and contain the blazes.” 

In Hollywood, the fires’ spread forced a mass evacuation. What once was a fast-paced city with a fast-paced way of life is now an area filled with devastation and rebuilding. Its hard to look back and reflect on what Hollywood once was. 

“I went to Hollywood this past summer and the landscape there was beautiful,” Verbos said. “It’s sad knowing the place I just visited doesn’t look as beautiful as it once did a few months ago.” 

Not only has the landscape of Hollywood been affected, but so has the production side of Hollywood. Due to Hollywood’s loss, some have said that the Oscars and Grammys should’ve been postponed. 

“Postponing the show for me didn’t feel like the right thing for the city of Los Angeles,” Harvey Mason Jr, head of the Grammy Awards,  said in an interview with the New York Times. “We wanted to make sure that we showed a resilience and strength and unity in a time when I thought we were going to really, really need it.”

Though the Grammys occurred on time, the focus of the awards show shifted to highlight more of what happened in LA over the past month. The show announced relief efforts made by celebrities and recognized foundations people could donate to help the long rebuilding process.

 “I think that donating is a great use of money, it is good to hear that the celebrities are putting their money to a good cause and helping the community,”  Verbos said.

Singer/songwriter Beyoncé donated 2.5 million dollars through her foundation “BeyGood” in hopes of helping relief efforts. This money will help aid the people affected specifically by the Eaton fires and give money to other charities to help them aid people in need. 

“Los Angeles we stand with you,” Beyonce stated in her Instagram post on behalf of her BeyGood foundation. 

As of February 1st, the wildfires were declared 100% contained by the LA Fire Department, and all 200,000 evacuated residents were able to return back to their homes. Residents within the area are now working to find their “new normal” post-fires. 

“When I heard the fire was fully contained it gave me a sense of peace because I can only imagine the extent of the damage done to the California communities, both physically and emotionally,” EMS and Fire class student Lily Hix said.

As the people of the Palisades and LA areas work to rebuild what they once had, the rest of America was left to reflect on the events that had occurred within the last two months

“I have never responded to a call regarding a fire, however, I still feel deeply for fire victims and individuals who have posted all their belongings in house fires,” Hix said. “As a first responder, I am grateful to be able to provide care and comfort to patients experiencing the worst day of their lives.”

At this year’s Super Bowl which was held on February 9th, fallen firefighters and others who lost their lives during the fires were recognized. Before the game, pictures of the fallen people were held to show recognition to those who have now passed. 

On March 2nd the Oscars were held, which as the Grammys, had hoped to unite Hollywood after the devastation from the past few months. At the awards show, fire victims and others affected were honored. 

“I’m again happy that they held the show like the Grammys because if I was in that situation I would want that sense of normal again, Verbos said.”