The North American wildfire season typically runs from spring to fall, although it varies by region as evidenced by the January wildfires in California. However, as the effects of climate change increase, disasters continue to shirk the expected seasonal rules, occurring with ever-increasing frequency and intensity.
CDP’s North American wildfire profile runs by calendar year and typically covers wildfires in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Depending on size and severity, we will include wildfires in other countries in North America.
Our coverage will focus on fires that have significant impacts on communities, especially at-risk populations.
Key Facts
- By 2052, half of the people at risk of wildfires will live in the South.
- For two to five years after a wildfire, there is an increased risk of flooding, with flash flooding in burn scars leading to debris flows that carry charred vegetation and other items picked up by rushing water.
- One study found that Native Americans living in tribal communities in the U.S. received 23% less precipitation, with 36.3% of tribal lands at risk of drought.
- People cause about 85% of U.S. wildfires.
- Wildfires exacerbate existing affordable housing crises throughout North America.
- Overnight fires have emerged in North America, challenging the traditional understanding of the “active day, quiet night” model of current fire management practices, which say cooler temperatures and higher humidity at night help slow the growth of wildfires. A 2024 study in Nature found that drought conditions promote overnight burning, a key mechanism that drives large active fires.
(Photo from County of Los Angeles Fire Department via X)
California
On January 7, 2025, a Santa Ana wind event struck Los Angeles County with winds up to 80 mph. This, along with drought conditions and warmer-than-typical temperatures, caused a massive wildfire that started in Pacific Palisades and then jumped to Lidia, Sunset, Eaton and Hurst. The largest fires in Eaton and Pacific Palisades are 0% contained and continue to spread. Inadequate water supply for fighting fires in LA is also hampering containment efforts.
More than 427,000 customers have lost power, and more than 2,000 structures including homes, schools and businesses have been destroyed. About 130,000 people have been placed under evacuation orders as the fires have already engulfed 42 square miles in Los Angeles County, an area the size of San Francisco.
The blazes spread so quickly that many people fleeing their homes found the roads to be impassable and had to leave their cars to escape on foot. At least five people have died in what is being called the most destructive wildfire in California’s history.
CDP California Wildfires Fund grantee partner CalMatters maintains an interactive wildfire tracker, which is updated daily.
You can support CDP’s response to wildfires in the state by donating to our California Wildfires Recovery Fund.
Several areas of support are needed for fire recovery. These include rebuilding homes or repairing damage, soil remediation, temporary housing, physical and mental health, assistance for survivors in navigating disaster recovery resources, community and economic development, agricultural support and livelihood/income support.
Help marginalized communities
People in marginalized and at-risk situations before a disaster – older adults, undocumented and mixed-status families, people living with physical or mental health challenges, and people living in poverty – may find their circumstances worsened in the face of disaster and continue to face challenges during the recovery phase. Local organizations are well-informed about a community’s needs and culture. They may be familiar with affected individuals and will be on the ground for years.
Address mental health needs
Mental health is always a significant issue following fires, especially fires that cause loss of life or mass destruction or occur in communities previously affected by wildfires. Funders can support organizations providing both crisis and long-term mental health services. Some ethnic or religious communities need culturally competent and supportive services.
Support marginalized populations, especially the Latinx community
Wildfires have a disproportionate impact on the Latinx community. Racialized and other marginalized communities recover slower after a disaster than other communities. Relative to the U.S. population at large, Latinx residents are two times more likely to live in wildfire-prone areas.
CDP has a California Wildfire Recovery Fund that supports the needs of marginalized and at-risk residents of California after fires. Our Disaster Recovery Fund supports wildfire-affected areas in the remainder of the United States and in Canada. Our Global Recovery Fund supports Mexico and other countries in North America.
Contact CDP
Philanthropic contributions
If you would like to make a gift to our California Wildfires Recovery Fund, Hawaii Wildfires Recovery Fund, Disaster Recovery Fund or Global Recovery Fund, need help with your disaster-giving strategy, or want to share how you’re responding to this disaster, please contact development.
(Photo: By Jessie Rodriguez via Jessie.Shoots on Instagram)
Recovery updates
If you are a responding NGO, please send updates on how you are working on recovery from this disaster to tanya.gulliver-garcia@disasterphilanthropy.org.
CDP Grantee Partners
You can learn more about previous recipients of CDP’s California Wildfire Recovery Fund here.
Resources
Wildfires
Weather can significantly affect the frequency and severity of wildfires. Prolonged drought can extend prime wildfire season, making blazes more likely. Additionally, high temperatures and low humidity can quickly dry out vegetation which then becomes potential fuel.
Drought
Drought is often defined as an unusual period of drier than normal weather that leads to a water shortage. Drought causes more deaths and displaces more people than any other disaster.
Extreme Heat
While the average temperature continues to increase at a moderate pace, climate change has caused more frequent extreme weather events, particularly extreme heat.