5 Inescapable Takeaways from the Los Angeles Wildfires

If you saw the wildfires that ravaged much of Los Angeles recently, maybe your heart went out to the victims. It’s understandable. To see the images from those days, with the flames, smoke, and damaged houses, created an impression most people won’t soon forget.

The California wildfires impacted many Los Angeles residents. Even those who saw their homes spared might worry that another fire may start at any time. They might also have friends, neighbors, relatives, or coworkers who lost their homes and now desperately need help.

You can probably think of some takeaways from the Los Angeles wildfires if you think about it. Let’s talk about some of the most obvious ones right now.

Living in Some Parts of California Now Seems Much Less Desirable

Some people love the idea of living in Los Angeles. It’s a city with a lot of beauty, culture, and history. You can live close to Dodger Stadium and watch the World Series champions defend their home turf. You can eat some of the best tacos, pizza, or sushi in the world.

However, there’s also some less-than-desirable parts of living in LA. The sky-high rents keep some people away, and it gets scorching hot in the summer. While most people knew wildfires could potentially happen, though, they probably didn’t think about the danger’s enormity.

They’re thinking about it plenty right now. Just a few days into 2025, several huge wildfires sprang up and engulfed entire Los Angeles neighborhoods. Tens of thousands of acres burned, as did thousands of homes. Many individuals lost their lives.

It’s hard to pinpoint the exact number of deaths right now or the approximate property damage costs. One thing seems evident, though, if it wasn’t before.

Some parts of California have a danger element that can make them seem a lot less desirable. Someone thinking about moving to LA might just reconsider after these latest wildfires. Breaking into the movie business might not seem worth it if you could see your house burned to the ground at virtually any time.

Some Parts of California Might Soon Become Uninsurable

You also have to think about the insurance industry and how it’s going to view Los Angeles and other parts of California going forward. For years, getting fire or disaster insurance in and around LA involved some inherent issues.

Many insurance companies knew about earthquake possibilities, or mudslide risks. If they thought about wildfire risks, they were still willing to issue insurance, just at higher rates than much of the rest of the country.

Now, with wildfires a reality, some insurance companies might simply not allow property owners in LA and in other parts of California to buy policies anymore. Insurance companies use a very particular business model.

They assume that while they will sometimes have to pay out a claim, they can usually keep most of the money they collect. That’s because they count on most of the disastrous situations for which they’re providing insurance to never actually happen.

If a fire ravaging someone’s home becomes more likely than unlikely, an insurance company will no longer want to insure that person’s property. It sounds harsh, but it makes perfect sense from a business standpoint.

Fewer insurance companies will probably allow homeowners in several parts of California to get policies from them going forward. Those that do will charge such exorbitant rates that the homeowners probably will not willingly pay them.

Strict Brush-Clearing Guidelines Should Go into Effect

California has long had brush-clearing guidelines. Some homeowners did not follow them as closely as the law stipulated, though.

Several climatologists and city leaders have talked about how that needs to happen following this particularly devastating round of wildfires that nearly brought Los Angeles to its knees. Homeowners must know how to clear away brush and to take on those responsibilities.

It will probably take a combination of local resources and community efforts to make sure that a wildfire can’t start as easily next time.

Climate Change Continues to Ravage the World

There’s also the lesson to take from this that climate change continues, and it’s getting worse with each passing year. Anyone who denies it or tries to deter climate conservation efforts willfully endangers the lives of many of the world’s residents, not just those of California.

In many parts of the country, we see more violent and sudden weather events with each passing year. These events cause loss of life and untold property damage.

Those who accept climate change may wish to move from places like Los Angeles that have a high fire risk. It is not such a simple prospect, though.

Even individuals and families in Los Angeles who didn’t have their homes burned to the ground still need to figure out how to uproot themselves. If they’ve lived in LA for many years, or even their whole lives, then they must determine where else they can work that wants the job skills they have. Often, they also have to part ways with friends, colleagues, and relatives.

It’s easier said than done. Still, hard as moving on often seems, we should see many climate refugees on the move as the years pass, trying to flee events like these latest wildfires.

Better Preparedness Can Save Lives and Property

Better preparedness can potentially save lives and property the next time wildfires threaten LA, and that is one final lesson that the city and its residents must learn. Many building companies in LA continue talking using more fire-resistant materials. That’s certainly one concept the city can explore as it rebuilds.

Homeowners must also have a cleared space around their homes with no brush or anything else that a fire can use for kindling. The city must explore more water sources and ways to transport that water if it’s ever needed.

These challenges can’t defeat LA residents or the government that represents them. If the city wants to do better next time, residents must take decisive action.

Additionally, investing in advanced technology for early detection and firefighting, such as drones and heat sensors, can help to mitigate the impact of future wildfires. By combining these efforts, LA can build a more resilient and informed community ready to face the challenges of wildfire threats.