Wednesday marks the one-year anniversary of the outbreak of the Eaton and Palisades wildfires that, combined, killed at least 31 people, destroyed some 16,000 structures, displaced thousands of residents, and forever changed the history of the Southland.
Numerous commemorations, faith-based services and tributes are planned Wednesday in the devastated communities and throughout the city and county of Los Angeles — including, prominently, flags flying at half-staff at L.A. City Hall, with the building also being lit in honor of the Palisades community. All state buildings will also fly flags at half-staff.
Wednesday’s events will feature a mix of mourning and anger, along with celebrations of resilience and rebuilding, and reminders of challenges ahead and bureaucracies to be overcome.
The Palisades Fire left 12 people dead in the Pacific Palisades, Malibu and Topanga areas, while the Eaton Fire, in the Altadena area, claimed 19 lives before both blazes were fully contained on Jan. 31.
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass is expected to keep a low public profile Wednesday, one year after catching widespread criticism when, amid forecasts of fierce Santa Ana winds, she was part of a presidential delegation in Ghana for the inauguration that country’s new leader. But Bass issued a statement Monday saying she would mark the anniversary at several private vigils.
“January 7 is about the Palisades community,” Bass’ press assistant, Ilanna Morales, said in a statement.
“Mayor Bass will recognize the anniversary of the devastating Palisades Fire and honor the 12 lives tragically lost and the thousands of families that lost their homes at private vigils with residents and city leaders on January 7. Mayor Bass has directed flags at City Hall to fly at half-staff and for City Hall to be lit in honor of the Palisades community on Wednesday.”
L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger — whose Fifth District includes Altadena — said she is planning to attend several “survivor-led commemorations, faith-based remembrances, and community tribute events” Wednesday, along with a morning news conference organized by the Eaton Fire Survivors Network that’s expected to include recovery updates.
“Supervisor Barger will be present to listen, reflect, and reinforce her continued commitment to supporting long-term recovery efforts for residents impacted by the wildfire,” according to her office.
Wednesday will also include a 3 p.m. Eaton Fire Tribute at John Muir High School, and a 5 p.m. commemoration by the Community Coalition for Altadena Recovery. That will take place at the Grocery Outlet Parking Lot, 2270 Lake Ave. in Altadena.
In addition, All Saints Church in Pasadena will hold a noon Eucharist on Wednesday “with special intentions for all affected by the fires and for the ongoing work of recovery and restoration.” At 6 p.m., the church will conclude its events with a Contemplative Taizé service. All Saints Church is located at 132 N. Euclid Ave.
And, at 7:30 p.m., the Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena will host “Songs of Remembrance: A Service of Hope and Renewal,” featuring sacred hymns, choral anthems and classical selections.
L.A. City Councilwoman Traci Park — whose 11th District includes Pacific Palisades — is also planning a commemoration event Wednesday, joined by District Attorney Nathan Hochman and L.A. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto.
The 7 a.m. news conference will take place at a private residence that’s still being rebuilt, symbolically chosen “to reflect both the profound loss endured by the community and the slow, determined progress of recovery,” Park’s office said.
“More than a year later, hundreds of families remain entangled in insurance, financing, and permitting challenges, holding on by a string as they work to rebuild their lives,” Park said in a statement Tuesday.
“At the same time, the site serves as a reminder of how far the community has come since January 2025, with more than 400 homes currently under construction and hundreds more awaiting permit approvals — a glimmer of hope that underscores the importance of continuing to press forward,” she added.
Here is a look at some of the other events set to take place Wednesday:
— At 8 a.m. in Pacific Palisades, American Legion Post 283 will host a “White Glove and Remembrance Ceremony” to “bring together community members, civic leaders, and recovery partners in remembrance, gratitude, and unity.”
The program, running from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., will commemorate the 12 Palisadians who lost their lives “and pay tribute to the countless individuals and groups who are helping the community recover and rebuild.”
It will begin with a “Coffee & Breakfast Public Gathering” at the American Legion Post.
From 9-10 a.m. there will be a private “Remembrance and Tribute Program” featuring a white-glove presentation of flags and certificates to rescue and recovery participants, and an invocation and accompanying music by the Palisades symphony. That segment of the event will be for families of those lost and invited guests — though it will also be streamed outside the Legion Post on La Cruz Drive, for the public to view.
The event will also include the dedication of the American Legion Post 283 “survivor flag” flown during the fire; a retirement of the Palisades Post Office flag and the raising of replacement flag, accompanied by a bugler; a color guard and procession to the Village Green on Sunset Boulevard; a ringing of bells and wreath presentations; and a moment of remembrance on the Village Green “honoring those lost.”
A community lunch at 11:15 a.m. will close the remembrance.
Palisades American Legion Post 283 is located at 15247 La Cruz Drive.
— At 8:30 a.m., Eaton Fire survivors and elected officials will gather for an 8:30 a.m. briefing at The Collaboratory in Altadena to share stories with media and “present a clear update on where recovery truly stands.”
The event is organized by the Eaton Fire Survivors Network, described as “a survivor-led community of 10,000+ Eaton and Palisades fire survivors.”
The group reports that “8 in 10 Eaton Fire families remain displaced, with most running out of insurance housing coverage in the coming months” and that “70% of insured survivors report delays and denials blocking recovery.”
Participants will gather to “offer an unfiltered assessment of recovery, what moved in 2025, and what must happen in 2026 to turn resilience into real recovery,” organizers say.
In addition, lawmakers are expected to preview their 2026 legislative aims regarding “what remains broken in our insurance and recovery systems.” Among those expected to take part are state Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez; Assemblyman John Harabedian; and Barger.
The event will also be livestreamed at youtube.com/@efsurvivorsnetwork.
— At 10:30 a.m. in Pacific Palisades, the Palisades Fire Residents Coalition will hold a rally titled “They Let Us Burn!” — at which participants will “demand accountability for a total breakdown in prevention, precaution and leadership from the city of Los Angeles, state of California, LADWP, LA fire officials, California State Parks, California Natural Resources Agency, state/local agencies, Governor (Gavin) Newsom, and Mayor Bass.”
Organizers say that “despite promises of action, city and state leadership and agencies have delivered little real progress, with limited vision or a clear plan paired with great uncertainty.”
In a statement ahead of the rally, Palisades resident and rally organizer Mariam Engel said, “We lost more than our homes. We lost trust. This fire was preventable. The city ignored warnings, ignored protocol, and ignored its own firefighters. Now, a year later, families are still without homes, and we’re gathered to remind leaders. We haven’t forgotten — even if they have.”
Scheduled speakers will include homeowners, business owners and local officials “as well as experts addressing failures in fire preparedness, evacuation planning, insurance recovery, legal settlement recovery, and environmental cleanup,” organizers said.
“This protest isn’t politically motivated,” according to organizers. “This is a call for fairness, accountability, and a vision for the rebuild.”
The event is scheduled to run from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Antioch/Swarthmore to Via De La Paz in the heart of Pacific Palisades. More information is available at theyletusburn.com.
— At 4 p.m. at Malibu City Hall, the city will hold a “Palisades Fire Commemoration: Finding Strength in Community” event — giving residents a chance “to reflect on the profound impact the fire had on all of Malibu.”
“The one-year mark reminds us of both the pain we experienced and the strength we discovered in one another,” Mayor Marianne Riggins said in a statement ahead of the event.
“Through loss, uncertainty, and recovery, our community has shown extraordinary resilience. As we look ahead, we remain focused on supporting every resident, honoring what we’ve overcome, and building a future rooted in hope and long-term restoration.”
According to a city statement, “the Palisades Fire stands as the greatest disaster the city of Malibu has ever endured. It tore through the community, destroying more than 700 structures, displacing families, and leaving entire neighborhoods reduced to smoldering ruins. It was part of a historic regional disaster that took many more lives and thousands of homes, and we stand in solidarity with our fellow communities that experienced this tragedy.”
Wednesday’s program will run from 4-5:30 p.m. and include a native Chumash blessing, a moment of silence for the three Malibu residents who lost their lives, and a remembrance poem written for the occasion by Charlotte Ward, Malibu’s poet laureate.
A reception will follow with light food, a memorial space and an art gallery paying tribute to first responders and community members.
Malibu City Hall is located at 23825 Stuart Ranch Road.
The event will also be livestreamed on the city’s YouTube channel at youtube.com/@CityofMalibu/streams.
— At 5:30 p.m., the Pasadena Civic Auditorium will host “A Concert for Altadena,” to benefit the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Fire Relief & Recovery Fund — with funds raised going specifically to PCF’s supporting organization, the Altadena Builds Back Foundation.
Performers will include Dawes & Friends, featuring Eric Krasno, Aloe Blacc, Jackson Browne, Brandon Flowers, Judith Hill, Jenny Lewis, Mandy Moore, Brad Paisley and Stephen Stills, plus performances by Ozomatli and Everclear and other guests.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the concert is set to start at 6:30 p.m.
The Pasadena Civic Auditorium is located at 300 E. Green St.
Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com/event/0B006363A6E73E09.