Apocalypse Los Angeles: A Rolling Stone Special Report
APOCALYPSE LOS ANGELES
A Three-part Rolling Stone Special Report
In the aftermath of one of America’s most devastating natural disasters, we uncover stories of survival and resilience, investigate the impact of climate change, and more
Video by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Part ONE
SURVIVING THE FIRESTORM
They built their lives in L.A., then watched them go up in smoke
By STEPHEN RODRICK
ethan swope/ap images
NOWHERE TO GO
In early January, fires ripped through several Los Angeles neighborhoods, including Altadena, leaving residents with little time to evacuate.
robyn beck/afp/getty images
Part TWO
WHY
Los Angeles BURNED
The fires show we’re unprepared
for life on a hotter planet
By JEFF GOODELL
MARK VINIELLO
LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE
“My pride died in the fire, so did my fear,” one Altadena resident tells Rolling Stone. “Now, anything that comes my way, I’m going to say, ‘Why not?’”
Jason Armond/”Los Angeles Times”/Getty Images
Part THREE
Last House Standing
Waiting as the fires closed in — and grappling with the aftermath
By JOSH EELLS
Ethan Swope/AP Images
LIVING THROUGH HELL
Multimillion-dollar mansions burned as quickly as little bungalows — entire blocks leveled by the flames.
josh edelson/afp/getty images
The Los Angeles Fires
By the Numbers
Tracing the devastation with data
The Los Angeles wildfires — which are likely to surpass the total economic damages that Hurricane Katrina inflicted on southern Louisiana in 2005 — were both a natural and unnatural disaster, reflecting the risks of building to the edge of nature in a world supercharged by climate change. The crisis showcased the bravery of firefighters and resilience of residents who make the city their home. It has also sparked a political fight between the Golden State and the Trump administration over water rights and whether California should bend a knee to MAGA political demands before receiving federal disaster relief. As the state and nation grapple with the aftermath, these stark figures reveal the scope and scale of the devastation. —Tim Dickinson
0.16
Inches of rainfall in L.A. from June 1, 2024 to the ignition of the first fire
1963
Last year of a similar drought in L.A.
100
In mph, speed of the
Santa Anna winds
160,000
Firefighters who
battled the blazes
29
Deaths
72
Firefighters who arrived from Mexico to help
200,000
People
evacuated
58,000
Acres burned
16,225
Structures destroyed
$275B
Total estimated economic damages
40x
Spike in airborne
chlorine levels
80+
Fire aircraft flown
20
Percentage of Altadena residents who are Black
48
Percentage of Black families in Altadena who lost their homes
1
Number of mythical California state water valves President Trump believes could have been “turned” to prevent the wildfires
David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images
Donate to l.a. wildfire relief
To help the fire-affected people of Los Angeles County, check out the organizations below
APOCALYPSE LOS ANGELES
A Three-part Rolling Stone Special Report
In the aftermath of one of America’s most devastating natural disasters, we uncover stories of survival and resilience, investigate the impact of climate change, and more
Video by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
ethan swope/ap images
Part ONE
Surviving the Firestorm
They built their lives in L.A., then watched them go up in smoke
By STEPHEN RODRICK
NOWHERE TO GO
In early January, fires ripped through several Los Angeles neighborhoods, including Altadena, leaving residents with little time to evacuate.
robyn beck/afp/getty images
MARK VINIELLO
Part Two
Why L.A. Burned
The fires show we’re unprepared for life on a hotter planet
By JEFF GOODELL
LIFE ON THE OTHER SIDE
“My pride died in the fire, so did my fear,” one Altadena resident tells Rolling Stone. “Now, anything that comes my way, I’m going to say, ‘Why not?’”
Jason Armond/”Los Angeles Times”/Getty Images
Ethan Swope/AP Images
Part THREE
Last House Standing
Waiting as the fires closed in — and grappling with the aftermath
By JOSH EELLS
LIVING THROUGH HELL
Multimillion-dollar mansions burned as quickly as little bungalows — entire blocks leveled by the flames.
robyn beck/afp/getty images
The Los Angeles Fires By the Numbers
Tracing the devastation with data
The Los Angeles wildfires — which are likely to surpass the total economic damages that Hurricane Katrina inflicted on southern Louisiana in 2005 — were both a natural and unnatural disaster, reflecting the risks of building to the edge of nature in a world supercharged by climate change. The crisis showcased the bravery of firefighters and resilience of residents who make the city their home. It has also sparked a political fight between the Golden State and the Trump administration over water rights and whether California should bend a knee to MAGA political demands before receiving federal disaster relief. As the state and nation grapple with the aftermath, these stark figures reveal the scope and scale of the devastation. —Tim Dickinson
0.16
Inches of rainfall in Los Angeles from June 1, 2024 to the ignition of the first fire
1963
Last year of a similar drought in L.A.
100
In mph, speed of the
Santa Anna winds
200,000
People evacuated
160,000
Firefighters who
battled the blazes
72
Firefighters who arrived from Mexico to help
29
Deaths
16,225
Structures destroyed
58,000
Acres burned
40x
Spike in airborne
chlorine levels
20
Percentage of Altadena residents who are Black
40
Percentage of Black families in Altadena who lost their homes
$275B
Total estimated
economic damages
1
Number of mythical California state water valves President Trump believes could have been “turned” to prevent the wildfires
David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images
Donate to l.a. wildfire relief
To help the fire-affected people of Los Angeles County, check out the organizations below