CHICAGO — On Jan. 7, 2025, wildfires broke out in Southern California’s Los Angeles County. Approximately 92,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders as of the morning of Jan. 13, according to CNN, and the fires are still burning in Palisades and Eaton as the death toll has reached 24 people and 12,000 structures have been destroyed, according to CBS News updates.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, there are more than 20,900 total emergency responses, 124 wildfires, 40,588 acres burned, 19 confirmed fatalities (preliminary pending corner confirmation) and more than 12,300 structures destroyed (with damage assessments underway for Palisades and Eaton Fires), at the time of publication.
Hotels and Housing
With evacuation orders for more than 92,000 people, hotels in the area are stepping up to help accommodate those who are being impacted by the wildfires. Some hotels in and near L.A. are offering discounted rates for those who have been displaced during this emergency.
Click here for LA Fire Hotel Availability from the Hotel Association of Los Angeles.
Click here to view Wildfire Relief Accommodations from Discover Los Angeles.
DMOs and CVBs have been working with their local hotels to offer relief, as well as resources for those being impacted, such as Los Angeles Tourism, Visit Anaheim, Visit Carlsbad, Visit Greater Palm Springs, Visit San Diego and many others.
Hotels in Las Vegas, including the Fontainebleau, MGM Resorts International and Resorts World Las Vegas, are also offering discounted rates. Find out more about accommodations in Las Vegas from the Las Vegas Sun.
Airbnb announced it would provide free, emergency housing for people who have been displaced by the Los Angeles wildfires, and after offering 6,500 people access to emergency housing, announced help for an additional 25,000 people.
In a news article on its website, Airbnb said: “Impacted residents in need of emergency housing support should fill out the Airbnb.org intake form with 211 LA who is identifying residents in need of temporary housing and helping to connect them to Airbnb.org stays. With thousands of applicants, 211 LA is prioritizing the most vulnerable communities impacted by the fires, and people should expect longer wait times as 211 LA reviews applications.”
Air Travel
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) has remained open and operational throughout the duration of the fires, although there have been a number of delays, and airlines have issued warnings and waivers.
Ways to Contribute
- California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund: https://www.calfund.org/funds/wildfire-recovery-fund/
- Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation: https://supportlafd.kindful.com/?campaign=1040812
- GoFundMe’s dedicated page for SoCal fire victims, first responders, and others in need: https://www.gofundme.com/c/act/wildfire-relief/california
Impacts on Events
IN LOS ANGELES
SoCal Cup: The three-day event is still planned to take place as scheduled Jan. 18-20 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
61st STS Annual Meeting: The annual meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons has not postponed its event, slated for Jan. 24-26 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, but the society said it is monitoring the situation and evaluating potential impacts. Stay updated here.
American Heart Association – International Stroke Conference 2025: The conference is still slated to take place Feb. 4-7 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The association’s event webpage says the following:
“We are closely monitoring the situation regarding the fires in California with guidance from local authorities, the Los Angeles Convention Center, and Discover Los Angeles (the Visitors’ Information center). At this time, the conference remains scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on February 4–7, 2025. The safety of our conference participants is our top priority, and we will continue to follow updates from the City of Los Angeles.
We appreciate your understanding and will keep everyone informed as the situation evolves.
Our hearts go out to all who have been impacted.”
California Bridal & Wedding Expo: The 2025 Bridal & Wedding Expo was originally planned for Jan. 12 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, has been postponed to Feb. 2, due to the wildfires.
The 2028 Olympics: According to Travel Weekly, fires are moving in on venues for the 2028 Olympic Games including the Rivera Golf Club and the UCLA campus. Other sporting venues that could face potential impacts are SoFi Stadium and Carson Stadium, according to the New York Post.
NFL: The NFL’s NFC Wild Card Game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Minnesota Vikings, that was set to take place at SoFi Stadium on Jan. 13, has been moved to Arizona.
IN ANAHEIM
The NAMM Show: The 2025 NAMM Show is slated to take place Jan. 21-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center, which is southeast from L.A. John Mlynczak, CEO of NAMM, issued the following statement about the show taking place as planned:
“We continue to stay in close contact with our NAMM members and partners in Los Angeles, including those impacted by the wildfires. Anaheim remains unaffected by the fires, which are located 60 miles northwest. Both Los Angeles International (LAX) and Orange County (SNA, John Wayne) airports have remained fully operational. In addition, all L.A.-based and Southern California NAMM member companies are still planning on attending and exhibiting at the show.
The 2025 NAMM Show will be able to take place as planned from January 21-25 in Anaheim. This global gathering of the music products industry is about unity, and this year, we unite to support our members impacted by these devastating wildfires. The NAMM Foundation has committed $50,000 to our L.A. Wildfires Relief Fund and is accepting additional contributions. This fund will provide needs-based assistance to NAMM members, employees of NAMM member companies, music education programs, and music makers impacted by the fires. We will be promoting this fund throughout The NAMM Show at events and in the Member Center.
NAMM is first and foremost an association that cares deeply for our members and the global music products industry. This year, The NAMM Show will demonstrate our industry’s commitment to uniting as a community in support of those impacted.”
Updates from the wildfires are still coming out, and these statistics and information reflect the reports that were available as of 12:00 p.m. CT on Jan. 13, 2025. If you know of any additional resources or efforts to provide aid to impacted communities to share, let us know at mryley@tradeshowexecutive.com.
