Lessons from the January Wildfires: Why Preparedness Matters

The wildfires that swept across Los Angeles County in January 2025 claimed 31 lives. Twenty-six of those who died were either over the age of 65 or living with a disability.

The disproportionate impact on older adults and people with disabilities mirrors patterns seen in the devastating Northern California wildfires of 2017 and 2018, according to David Lindeman, PhD, Chair of the California Commission on Aging (CCOA).

Speaking at the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging (C4A) Conference in November, Lindeman said one contributing factor was a lack of emergency preparation.

“Most older adults aren’t actually thinking about getting out of the way of fires or being able to respond when someone asks them to leave,” Lindeman said. “A national survey conducted since the fires found fewer than one in three adults age 50 to 80 had an emergency kit.”

In its report on the January fires, the Commission on Aging noted the speed of the Eaton Fire, which at one point burned at a rate equivalent to seven football fields per minute, making it nearly impossible for first responders to evacuate all of Altadena.

“Individual emergency planning is critical to survival,” the report stated.

Jeanne O’Donnell, Senior Program Manager with the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management (OEM), reinforced that message during a presentation to the Los Angeles County Commission for Older Adults (LACCOA). She encouraged residents to think through practical questions:

How long would it take you to evacuate?
Would you need assistance?
Do you have reliable transportation?
Can your destination accommodate your medical or mobility needs?
Three Steps to Take Now

Preparedness does not have to be complicated. Families can start by:

Assembling a go-bag with medications, medical supplies, copies of important documents, and emergency contacts.
Creating an evacuation plan that includes transportation arrangements and backup support.
Signing up for emergency alerts through Alert LA County and identifying at least two ways to receive updates.
Emergency planning resources are available at Ready LA County. During an emergency, residents can find real-time updates at lacounty.gov/emergency, and recovery resources at LA County Recovers.

Smartphone apps such as PulsePoint, Watch Duty, and Genasys Protect can also provide timely alerts and information.

For older adults and individuals with mobility, medical, or cognitive needs, planning ahead is especially critical. Early preparation ensures that families are not forced to make urgent decisions during rapidly evolving emergencies.

The lesson from January is clear. Preparedness saves lives. Taking steps now—before the next emergency—can make all the difference when every minute counts.