One year after a series of devastating wildfires swept through Los Angeles, health experts from UCLA Health report that the effects on physical and mental health continue to be felt across the region. The fires, which began in early January 2025 and included major incidents such as the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Kenneth, Hughes, and Sepulveda fires, burned more than 55,000 acres, destroyed nearly 16,000 homes, and resulted in approximately 440 deaths.
Dr. David Eisenman, professor-in-residence at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, reflected on the ongoing challenges: “This was a catastrophic event that changed much of Los Angeles — its community, its landscape and our health. We are, not surprisingly, still suffering the consequences in many ways. Families have not returned to their homes, and high levels of pollutants remain in communities. It’s a tough place to be a year later.”
Air quality declined significantly during and after the wildfires. Residents with preexisting respiratory conditions or those exposed for extended periods faced increased risks due to smoke containing both natural debris and toxins from human-made materials. Many experienced immediate symptoms such as coughing or wheezing; however, some report ongoing issues months later.
“Initially, I definitely saw a spike in patients presenting with exacerbations or flare-ups of their lung condition, which was most commonly asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease),” said Dr. May-Lin Wilgus, pulmonologist and associate clinical professor at UCLA Health. “But I think there were a lot of people who did not seek medical care at the time and later experienced increased symptoms.
“Many individuals who followed up with me six months later also mentioned their symptoms flared with the fires,” she added. “These patients often had continued exposures — such as returning to smoke-damaged homes or encountering high levels of heavy-metal contamination — so it does seem to be a trigger.”
Wilgus recommends that communities prepare for future wildfire seasons by using HEPA air filters indoors and maintaining emergency supplies.
Mental health has also emerged as a key concern among residents affected by loss of property or displacement.
“People most closely affected — such as those who lost their houses or belongings — often experience the greatest impact. Individuals with a history of prolonged anxiety or depression also tend to have difficulty recovering from events of this kind,” said Emanuel Maidenberg, clinical professor of psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at the David Geffen School of Medicine.
“This is a really traumatic event that takes time to recover from,” he said. “So these populations may experience slower recovery because the reminders are ever present, and their lives have changed.”
Eisenman noted additional stressors related to housing instability: “This has caused a lot of disruption to children’s schooling, time off from work and significant stress related to navigating insurance claims and rebuilding homes — all while families are still trying to process the trauma… Right now we are studying the mental health consequences in the community…”
Maidenberg added that visible signs like scorched land will fade over time but emotional effects may persist: “Over time people will talk about it less… But I think we are all a little bit more cautious… mindful of … sadness fear … loss.”
To study these long-term impacts further, Eisenman partnered with Dr. Arash Naeim—chief medical officer for clinical research at UCLA Health—to establish the UCLA Wildfire Impacted Communities Research Registry. The registry includes about 4,440 participants who lived in Los Angeles during last year’s wildfires.
“The registry allows UCLA doctors and (other) health care professionals to better understand the health needs of patients and our community…” Eisenman said. “There will be other fires… We really need to know this in order to better protect health.”
Researchers are conducting studies through this registry—including one examining residents who stayed behind during evacuations—and hope findings will help inform future public health responses.
“We expect that individuals who stayed behind to defend their homes will experience less fire-related property damage,” Eisenman said. “At the same time… we anticipate that these individuals will face more health consequences from staying behind…”
Eisenman concluded by emphasizing community resilience: “UCLA really stepped up in a lot of ways… During the Palisades fire… administration moved quickly… academic community worked together… Learning how to evacuate safely prepare as a community support each other during disaster is crucial…”
