Random Ramblings: Aerial Wildland Firefighting

I have blogged about aerial wildland firefighting since 2009. I am not a firefighter and am not a pilot, just an interested bystander who wants to learn more and share what I learn here. Join me here as I blog on the aircraft and the pilots who fight wildland fires from the air in support of crews on the ground. I also blog on concerns affecting fire crews on the ground as well as other aviation and meteorology issues. Learn what it takes to do jobs that are staffed by the best of the best.

Friday, January 17, 2025

2025 Wildfire Season: Update on Wildfires in and around Los Angeles County (Jan 17th)

Obtained on January 17th at 10:30 from the Cal Fire Incidents Page

I am always saddened by the loss of life from any wildfire. For the last few days, I have seen the figure that there are 24 fatalities attributed to the wildfires currently burning in LA County and environs.. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of those who have perished in the Palisades and Eaton fires. I went to the individual incident page for each of the three wildfires that I have listed below to get a breakdown of the fatalities attributed to each fire.

Current wildfire statistics from the Cal Fire Incidents Page at 10:30 AM EST on January 17th:

Palisades Fire, 23,713 acres, 31 percent contained, started 1/7/2025, 8 fatalities.
Eaton Fire, 14,117 acres, 65 percent contained, started 1/7/2025, 16 fatalities.
Auto Fire, 61 acres, 85 percent contained, started 1/13/2025.

I have also seen media reports that there are dozens of missing persons from these fires, most notably the Eaton Fire, but there may be missing persons from the Palisades Fire and other fires. It seems that a number of the missing persons are senior citizens. I am glad to see the media reports on these missing persons, asking the nearby public if they have seen these persons.

Direct link to report on YouTube from NBCLA on YouTube

I am sure that many of you are already aware of the fatalities and missing persons from following various media outlets, however I felt that I needed to mention these fatalities and missing persons in this post.

While searches go on for the missing and families, and loved ones grieve those who have perished in these fires, there is a bright spot in the rescue of Ms. Patty Phillips by LA County Fire Captain Malcom Dicks. Captain Dicks risked his life to save Ms. Phillips. Ms. Phillips told the story of her rescue to a reporter from KCAL News. The video report is slightly over eight minutes.