On the first week of the new year, raging fires tore through the city of Los Angeles. On January 7th, 2025, the first major fire began in the Palisades and Malibu areas. Throughout the past month, the fire has only caused more destruction, and the “Eaton Fire” of Altadena devastated most of the beloved area. As of now, we know that 29 people died from these conflagrations. More than five other fires burned our city at this time. The Palisades Fire burned more than 23,000 acres, and the Eaton Fire nearly 14,000. Seventeen of the 29 fatalities occurred as a consequence of the Eaton Fire.
Once towns filled with families, much of these areas and LA in general are now just smoky memories. Thousands of families remain displaced.
While Milken students are no longer in imminent danger, some families lost their homes, and many more had to evacuate them, some still unable to return. Most, and at various points all, of Los Angeles has been on high alert for a significant portion of January.
Aaron Bina (‘25), resides in the Brentwood area, so he was relatively close to the Palisades fire. “This was all really devastating,” he said. “My aunt was specifically affected because her house was on PCH, and it fully burnt down.” Lev Gonen (‘26) recalled what he and his loved ones endured throughout the past couple of weeks, sharing, “My old house was in the Palisades, so it was very nerve-racking for us.”
He said, “Our house was luckily okay as…firefighters [were able to put it out,] but some of my neighbors’ houses weren’t okay.” He continued, “Where we live right now, it was fine and we didn’t have to evacuate, but the entire fire was scary, and I know a bunch of people who moved out. We hosted some family at our house who were evacuated.”
Despite (or because of) the large-scale destruction, much of Los Angeles has come together. People have opened their doors to family, friends, and even to people whom they don’t know. Many around the world have expressed their support for the city and its people. The people within the LA area have held numerous events to provide clothing and food to those who are without their homes and belongings. Milken, itself, has stepped up in many ways, among them holding clothing and supplies drives.
As students entered campus, they faced encouragement to bring items that would assist the families most affected. While there is still a lot more work to be done, seeing the resilience and camaraderie of the Los Angeles community has felt incredible. Below are several different organizations that provide ways you can help those affected by the Los Angeles wildfires: