Apocalypse Los Angeles: A 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
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
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
LIVING THROUGH HELL
Multimillion-dollar mansions burned as quickly as little bungalows — entire blocks leveled by the flames.
josh edelson/afp/getty images
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
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
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
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
Inches of rainfall in Los Angeles from June 1, 2024 to the ignition of the first fire
Last year of a similar drought in L.A.
In mph, speed of the
Santa Anna winds
People evacuated
Firefighters who
battled the blazes
Firefighters who arrived from Mexico to help
Deaths
Structures destroyed
Acres burned
Spike in airborne
chlorine levels
Percentage of Altadena residents who are Black
Percentage of Black families in Altadena who lost their homes
Total estimated
economic damages
Number of mythical California state water valves President Trump believes could have been “turned” to prevent the wildfires
David Swanson/AFP/Getty Images
