Introduction : Wildfires Should Serve As Wake-Up CallNews reports cite the beginning of the 2025 Los Angeles fires on January 7 at 10:30 am, as the Santa Ana winds blew a cloud of black smoke over heavily populated areas in and around Los Angeles. An hour or so later, NBC 4 Los Angeles reported that "gridlock formed on Sunset Boulevard," which "blocked people in traffic for miles as they desperately tried to evacuate and get away from the dangerous flames. The Palisades Fire quickly expanded, consuming homes, cars and anything in its path." The Eaton Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains began that evening.