Tessa Quinn
California has been ravaged by wildfires, which have destroyed thousands of buildings and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes. The healthcare system has been significantly impacted, with hospitals closing clinics and delaying elective surgeries. While no hospitals have burned down, at least one medical clinic has been destroyed, and hospitals have treated patients for burns, smoke inhalation, and eye irritation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 7 January 2025 |
| Location | Los Angeles County, California |
| Number of Wildfires | 3 |
| Names of Wildfires | Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire, Woodley Fire, Lidia Fire, Sunset Fire |
| Number of Hospitals and Medical Centres Affected | Several |
| Names of Affected Hospitals and Medical Centres | Providence St. John's Health Center, Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, West Valley Health Center, UCLA Health, Kaiser Permanente, Cedars-Sinai Medical Campus, San Gabriel Valley VA Clinic, Adventist Health, AltaMed Health Services |
| Number of Deaths | At least 10 |
| Number of Buildings Destroyed | More than 2,000 |
| Number of People Evacuated | More than 130,000 |
| Number of People Without Power | Nearly 400,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Wildfires in California
Wildfires are a common occurrence in California, with blazes breaking out across the state every year. However, the 2025 wildfire season in California has been particularly devastating. Human-caused climate change, drought, an early snowmelt, and forecasted hot weather have contributed to the perfect storm for destructive wildfires.
In January 2025, three active wildfires started in Los Angeles County, burning across thousands of acres and forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. The largest wildfire, the Palisades Fire, burned more than 17,000 acres and became the most destructive in Los Angeles' history. The Eaton Fire burned 10,600 acres, and the Hurst Fire spread across 855 acres. Several smaller blazes, including the Woodley, Lidia, and Sunset Fires, started soon after, adding to the devastation.
The wildfires have had a significant impact on the region's healthcare infrastructure. Hospitals across Los Angeles County have struggled with possible evacuations and staffing shortages as doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers deal with the fires' impact on their own lives and homes. At least one medical clinic burned down, and several hospitals and health care facilities in Southern California temporarily closed or suspended services. UCLA Health closed 11 clinics until further notice, and AltaMed Health Services temporarily closed eight clinics and reported that one of its medical centers in Pasadena was destroyed by the Eaton Fire.
The fires have also taken a toll on nursing homes and other care facilities, with more than 700 people evacuated. Hospitals have treated patients for burns, smoke inhalation, and eye irritation. The California Department of Managed Health Care ordered health plans to ensure that enrollees affected by the wildfires have access to all necessary medical services, including prescription drug refills.
The wildfires have upended the lives of tens of thousands of Los Angeles County residents, and the healthcare providers who continue to deliver vital care amid the chaos are facing significant challenges.
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Hospitals affected by fires
In January 2025, wildfires in California caused devastation, with thousands of people evacuated from their homes, and at least 10 people killed. The fires also impacted hospitals and health systems in the state.
Several hospitals and healthcare facilities in Southern California were forced to temporarily close or suspend services as the wildfires spread. UCLA Health closed 11 clinics until further notice, and postponed non-urgent surgeries. Other hospitals that postponed non-emergency surgeries and appointments include Cedars-Sinai, which has its main medical campus close to the wildfires.
Some hospitals came close to having to evacuate. Providence St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, one of the largest hospitals in the L.A. area, called other hospitals to find space for patients in case they had to evacuate. USC Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale also faced potential evacuation.
At least one medical clinic burned down. AltaMed Health Services reported that one of its medical centres in Pasadena was destroyed by the Eaton Fire, though no one was injured. The network closed eight clinics temporarily.
Other hospitals reported treating patients for fire-related injuries, including smoke inhalation and eye irritation. UCLA Health hospitals treated and released 21 patients, with one remaining in critical condition. The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services also reported treating patients for smoke injuries.
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Medical centres forced to close
Wildfires in California have had a devastating impact on the state's healthcare infrastructure. In January 2025, three active wildfires in Los Angeles County burned across thousands of acres, leading to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. The fires have not only disrupted the lives of those in the area but also placed immense strain on hospitals, health clinics, first responders, and nursing homes.
Several hospitals and healthcare facilities in Southern California were forced to close or suspend services as the wildfires spread. UCLA Health closed 11 clinics until further notice, while AltaMed Health Services, a community health network in Southern California, temporarily closed eight clinics after one of its medical centres in Pasadena was destroyed by the Eaton Fire. Kaiser Permanente, one of California's largest healthcare systems, closed seven of its medical offices and clinics due to the fires and high winds. Other healthcare providers, such as Providence St. John's in Santa Monica and Providence Holy Cross Medical Center in the San Fernando Valley, faced staffing challenges as some doctors and health workers lost their homes or had to evacuate.
The wildfires also impacted the ability to perform surgeries and provide routine appointments. Hospitals that remained open, such as Adventist Health's hospital in Glendale, postponed non-essential surgeries and visitation. Cedars-Sinai postponed non-urgent surgeries and closed some outpatient offices and surgery centres in evacuation areas. The San Gabriel Valley VA Clinic closed for several days, offering virtual appointments instead.
The fires have had a severe impact on the region's healthcare system, with medical centres and hospitals forced to close, evacuate, or postpone services. Despite these challenges, healthcare providers continued to deliver vital care to those affected by the wildfires.
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Evacuation of patients
Wildfires in California have had a significant impact on hospitals, with many facing the possibility of evacuation. While hospitals in the county have remained operational, several health systems have had to shutter clinical locations and physician offices in affected areas. UCLA Health, for instance, closed 11 clinics until further notice, while Cedars-Sinai postponed non-emergent procedures due to the Palisades fire.
The rapidly spreading wildfires have caused tens of thousands of evacuations across Los Angeles County. More than 700 people, and possibly far more, have been evacuated from nursing homes and other care facilities, according to the California Department of Public Health. Senior patients were evacuated by ambulance from nursing facilities, with swirling embers all around them.
In January 2025, the Los Angeles Times reported that hospitals in close proximity to the fires were on high alert and prepared to evacuate if conditions worsened. Providence St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica, for instance, was so close to evacuating that it called other hospitals to find space for patients who would be displaced. USC Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale also faced potential evacuation.
In a similar incident, Chino Valley Medical Center in California had to evacuate four patients from its intensive care unit after a fire broke out on its campus in December 2024. The fire was contained to a medical office building, and the patients were transferred to a nearby hospital as a precaution.
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Firefighters tackling blazes
Firefighters are facing challenging conditions as they battle to contain the wildfires in California. The fires, which started on 7 January 2025, have destroyed thousands of acres of land and forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate their homes.
The wildfires have impacted hospitals, health clinics, and nursing homes across Los Angeles County. At least one medical clinic burned down, and hospitals have struggled with potential evacuations. Firefighters have had to deal with low water supplies and strong winds that have grounded helicopters.
In response to the fires, President Biden issued a major disaster declaration for the state of California on 8 January, releasing immediate funds and resources to aid in recovery efforts. The government sent five large air tankers, each capable of carrying up to 4,000 gallons of water or fire retardant, along with 10 firefighting helicopters and dozens of fire engines to assist the firefighters on the ground.
Despite the challenging conditions, firefighters have made progress in containing the blazes. As of 9 January, the Palisades, Eaton, and Sunset fires were at zero containment, while the Hurst fire was 10% contained and the Lidia fire 40% contained.
The wildfires have had a significant impact on the healthcare infrastructure in Los Angeles County. Several hospitals and health care facilities have temporarily closed or suspended services, and non-emergency surgeries and appointments have been postponed. However, hospitals remain operational, and healthcare providers continue to deliver vital care to those in need.
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Frequently asked questions
No hospitals burned down, but a primary care clinic and a medical centre were destroyed by the wildfires.
Yes, there were injuries and deaths. UCLA Health hospitals treated and released 21 patients with fire-related injuries, and one patient remained in critical condition. As of 8 January 2025, at least five people had died, and this number was expected to rise.
Hospitals were prepared to evacuate if conditions worsened, but no reports confirm that any hospitals were evacuated. However, more than 700 people were evacuated from nursing homes and other care facilities.
