Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation Tuesday declaring Jan. 7 as a day of remembrance for the Los Angeles fires and ordered flags at all state buildings to be flown at half-staff.
“As we mourn the victims of the Los Angeles fires, we also honor the first responders, community leaders and public servants who ran toward danger and went above and beyond to protect Angelenos,” the proclamation reads. “We recognize the resilience of survivors who continue to rebuild, often carrying grief alongside hope.”
“And we affirm a solemn commitment: California will not turn away. We will stand with these communities until recovery is complete, homes are rebuilt and lives are restored as fully possible,” the proclamation read.
On Jan. 7, 2025, fires erupted in the Los Angeles region fueled by dry conditions and extreme Santa Ana winds. The two largest fires destroyed and displaced thousands of people in Pacific Palisades and Altadena.
The Palisades Fire killed 12 people in the Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Topanga areas, while the Eaton Fire, in Altadena, killed 19 people. Firefighters fully contained the dual blazes on Jan. 31, 2025.
“Today, California remembers and honors those 31 people, grieving with their families and friends. We carry their memory forward, alongside the memory of all Californians lost to wildfires over the years, including those who perished in the Tubbs, Camp, and the North Complex fires. Their memory continues to shape our collective resolve today,” the proclamation reads.