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.

Direct link to report from KCAL News on YouTube

Multi-Agency Rescue on Appalachian Trail in the Delaware Water Gap

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service like other State and National Fire Fighting Agencies may be involved in assisting other agencies in rescues on hiking trails and the like. Such an incident happened the night of June 25th near the Catfish Fire Tower on the Appalachian Trail (AT) in the Delaware Water Gap (see the map).

The New Jersey Forest Fire Service assisted in a medical rescue on the AT near the Catfish Fire Tower.

A Facebook Post from the Knowlton Twp. Fire and Rescue Company #1- Station 41 (embedded at the end of this post) there were two rescues on the evening of June 25th. The first was a sick hiker near the Catfish Fire Tower who was evacuated via a stokes stretcher.  The following agencies assisted in this rescue: Knowlton Township Fire and Rescue Co No 1, St Lukes Emergency and Transport Services, Blairstown Hose Company, Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company, Blairstown Ambulance Corp, NJ Jersey Forest Fire Service,  National Park Service LEO Rangers, Warren County Search and Rescue, St Clairs Emergency Medical Services Paramedics.

While the rescue near Catfish Fire Tower was going on, there was a second incident, a fall from the Red Dot Trail on Mt. Tammany in the Worthington State Forest. Agencies involved in this rescue were: Knowlton Township Fire and Rescue Co No 1, Portland Hook and Ladder, Stillwater Area Volunteer Fire Company,  Freden Volunteer Fire Department, Blairstown Hose Company, NJ Forest Fire Service, NJ Park Police, NJ State Police, National Park Service LEO Rangers, National Park Service High Angle Rescue Team, Warren County Search and Rescue, and Blairstown Ambulance Corps. The terrain on this trail required five rope systems in order to evacuate the injured party on a Stokes stretcher.

I have been on both of the trails mentioned here, but that was several years ago before I got arthritis in my knees. I would not hike on the Red Dot Trail again, it is rugged and some rock scrambling is required as I recall. I am not sure about the AT up to the Catfish Tower, a nice trail but I am not sure my knees could take it. I offer my thanks to all the agencies who were involved in both of the rescues last night. Kudos to all.