IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire California Wildfires 2025: Palisades Fire

Los Angeles Wildfires: Capturing the Devastation On the Ground

Explore the Los Angeles wildfires through photojournalists’ eyes, sharing their challenges and hopes in capturing the human and environmental toll.

The Los Angeles wildfires, including the massive Palisades and Eaton blazes, have claimed at least 24 lives, destroyed over 12,000 structures, and forced the evacuation of more than 150,000 people.

While the Los Angeles wildfires mark one of the most destructive chapters in LA’s history, experts highlight the growing influence of climate change on the frequency and intensity of such blazes.

In this article, we hear some of our photojournalists on the ground sharing their perspectives on documenting the staggering scale of devastation, the challenges they’ve faced, and their hope that their photos will convey the true human and environmental impact of the L.A. wildfires.


David Pashaee from Middle East Images on Los Angeles Wildfires

“It’s impossible to look away from the impact, and it’s a reminder of how fragile our relationship with nature is. At the same time, I’ve seen moments of hope, neighbors helping each other, volunteers showing up in droves, and people finding strength amid chaos.” – David Pashaee.

The fires in LA have been devastating, it’s hard to capture the scale of loss. Entire neighborhoods were displaced, homes turned to ash, and the natural landscapes that define this city were scarred. Beyond the destruction, though, there’s resilience here and a quiet determination to rebuild and support one another.

Personally, I’ve felt the weight of this, both as a community member and a storyteller. It’s impossible to look away from the impact, and it’s a reminder of how fragile our relationship with nature is. At the same time, I’ve seen moments of hope, neighbors helping each other, volunteers showing up in droves, and people finding strength amid chaos.

IMAGO/Middle East Images / Los Angeles Wildfires
IMAGO / Middle East Images / David Pashaee | A man surveys the charred remains of his home, destroyed in the Eaton Fire, on Jan. 8. The house, built in 1902 and owned by his family for generations, was slated for a remodel to pass down to the next generation. Now, with the fire’s devastation, he is uncertain if he will rebuild or return to the property. Altadena, California, United States.
IMAGO/Middle East Images Los Angeles Wildfires
IMAGO / Middle East Images / David Pashaee | Houses burnt down in the Palisades Fire along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California.

Capturing the LA fires has been one of the most difficult assignments I’ve faced. As a photojournalist, the physical challenges, navigating intense heat, heavy smoke, and unpredictable conditions are immense, but the emotional toll is even greater. Witnessing the destruction of homes, the displacement of families, and the irreversible loss of nature is devastating. Balancing the need to document these moments while respecting the dignity and grief of those affected requires constant care and sensitivity.

California Wildfires
IMAGO / Middle East Images / David Pashaee | A firefighter works with water hoses near houses burned down in the Palisades Fire along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California, January 9, 2025.

“As a photojournalist, the physical challenges, navigating intense heat, heavy smoke, and unpredictable conditions are immense, but the emotional toll is even greater.” – David Pashaee.

As a human, it’s impossible to remain untouched by the heartbreak in front of me. Through my photos, I hope to go beyond showing the destruction, inspiring empathy and collective action to prevent tragedies like this in the future. It’s my way of bearing witness and giving a voice to those who have lost so much.

Mark Edward Harris from Zuma Press on Los Angeles Wildfires

“A fire captain yelled at me to get into his truck immediately, and we were able to ride out the firestorm together. All we could do was sit there and watch (and for me to take photos and video).” – Mark Edward Harris.

I’ve been in war zones and covered tsunamis and earthquakes but to see the scale of destruction in my home city has been hard to process. The winds and lack of rain here made for the perfect storm. The vast areas that were destroyed, especially by the Palisades Fire, are unfathomable. I saw countless homes and businesses on fire with no fire trucks in sight.

The disaster was on such an epic scale that the fire departments that responded were completely outgunned. That said, I saw countless acts of heroism by the firefighters. Helicopters and airplane pilots dropping fire retardants and water stopped this disaster from spreading even further. To see them weave in and out of canyons to fight the brush fires was incredible.

IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire California Wildfires 2025: Palisades Fire. Los Angeles Wildfires
IMAGO / Zuma Press Wire / Mark Edward Harris | Flames near a fire road above Mandeville Canyon during the Palisades Fire. Los Angeles USA.

“The disaster was on such an epic scale that the fire departments that responded were completely outgunned.” – Mark Edward Harris.

The morning of January 11th was particularly tough, it could have been my last day. I had hiked into a canyon south of Mulholland Drive to cover the Palisades Fire and met up with a crew fighting the brush fire. After about 45 minutes I turned around and started hiking back down the fire trail when flames overwhelmed the crew and crossed the dirt road. If I had started back 30 seconds to a minute earlier, I wouldn’t have made it.

A fire captain yelled at me to get into his truck immediately, and we were able to ride out the firestorm together. All we could do was sit there and watch (and for me to take photos and video). The wider shots of the canyons showing the flames and scarred landscape convey the sad reality of the situation there.

IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire. Los Angeles USA. Los Angeles Wildfires
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire / Mark Edward Harris | January 11, 2024: An American flag waves above a section of Mandeville Canyon destroyed by the Palisades Fire.

Jon Putman from SOPA Images

“Families who have lived in these places for years and years have lost everything that matters to them, and it was heartbreaking to document.” – Jon Putman.

It’s absolute devastation for everyone involved. After documenting several communities the past 4 days I have seen entire neighborhoods completely wiped out to an almost apocalyptic state. Families who have lived in these places for years and years have lost everything that matters to them, and it was heartbreaking to document. 

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IMAGO / SOPA Images / Jon Putman | Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, US – 07 Jan 2025 A Pacific Palisades resident flees with her dog from the on coming Palisades Fire.
IMAGO / SOPA Images. Palisades Fire Pacific Palisades, California - 07 Jan 2025
IMAGO / SOPA Images / Jon Putman | A house seen burnt by the Palisades Fire. Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, California forces evacuations to thousands.

In the heat of the blaze, I witnessed residents throwing what I assume were important possessions into vehicles as fast as possible, only for their homes to be burnt to the ground within a matter of minutes. Family pets and farm animals roamed the streets, looking for any sort of safety or salvation before being run out by the oncoming wind-driven flames.

“The community and environment will be impacted by this for years to come.” – Jon Putman.

IMAGO/SOPA Images Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades, US - 07 Jan 2025
IMAGO/SOPA Images / Jon Putman | A Pacific Palisades resident watches as the Palisades fire consumes a business place. Palisades Fire burning through Pacific Palisades, California forcing thousands to evacuate.

From what I witnessed, fire officials did the best they could with the resources available. Entire neighborhoods and communities were completely wiped out with residents still not able to return to their homes to see what survived. The community and environment will be impacted by this for years to come.

IMAGO/SOPA Images
IMAGO / SOPA Images / Jon Putman | Firefighters fight the Palisades Fire.

Jonathan Alcorn from Zuma Press

“I’m hoping my images may encourage donations to help with the recovery process. Many of my friends have lost their homes so this is very important to me.” – Jonathan Alcorn.

I have covered many fires during my career, and this one has been the most shocking and intense of all. I’ve witnessed some things that have taken some time to comprehend what I’m seeing, and it’s been superfluid and fast-moving from one scene to the next.

For me, the most challenging thing is keeping my emotions in check so I can continue focusing on my job. You can’t help but think of the people directly impacted by the destruction and losing their homes and treasured belongings and the emotional toll that comes with that. I’m hoping my images may encourage donations to help with the recovery process. Many of my friends have lost their homes so this is very important to me.

IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire. LA fires
IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire / Jonathan Alcorn | The moon rises above the remains of a destroyed shoreline structure on Pacific Coast Highway as the Palisades fire continues burning and has burned 23, 654 acres with 11% containment and destroyed thousands of structures.
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IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire / Jonathan Alcorn | Embers blow from palm trees at Will Rogers State Beach on Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades Los Angeles.
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IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire / Jonathan Alcorn | A chimney stands at a home that burned to the ground in Pacific Palisades Los Angeles.

Anna Sophia Moltke from Zuma Press

“Hopefully, my images will provide a compassionate perspective on this tragic disaster. I commiserate with my Los Angeles community, knowing that now is a key moment to be of mutual service to one another.” – Anna Sophia Moltke.

Living through several wildfires in my neighborhood and documenting them throughout the years gives me a sense of what to expect when approaching a fire. The magnitude of this destruction is surreal. My previous experiences did not prepare me for the immense trauma my community faced during this week-long saga of fires… Seeing burnt rubble where friend’s homes used to be fills me with grief.

©Anna Sophia Moltke
IMAGO / Zuma Press Wire / Anna Sophia Moltke | Burned down home on Pacific Coast Highway, ruins of the Pacific Palisades Fire.
IMAGO/Zuma Press
IMAGO / Zuma Press Wire / Anna Sophia Moltke | Homeowners who stayed behind to defend their house from the Paradise fire sit on their roof, watching as firefighters battle a fire inside of a home along the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, CA.

“Seeing burnt rubble where friend’s homes used to be fills me with grief.” – Anna Sophia Moltke.

Documenting the aftermath of wildfires is a humbling experience. The second morning of the fires, I had to pack my most valued items and drive away from my house, not knowing I would have a home to return to. Hopefully, my images will provide a compassionate perspective on this tragic disaster. I commiserate with my Los Angeles community, knowing that now is a key moment to be of mutual service to one another.

Anna Sophia Moltke
Photo by Anna Sophia Moltke | Firefighters during the saving operations for Eaton Fires.

See more highlights from Los Angeles Wildfires with IMAGO here.

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