One year after the Los Angeles Fires, communities are less prepared for future climate disasters
tags
Within a year, President Trump has weakened disaster aid and prevention efforts, leaving millions at higher risk
WASHINGTON — Today marks the one-year anniversary of the Los Angeles fires that for weeks put millions of residents at risk, killed at least 31 people and reminded the U.S. of the deadly dangers of climate disasters. Latinos were disproportionately affected by the health effects of wildfires and the Latino workforce was drastically impacted by the destruction in the Los Angeles area.
Meanwhile, President Trump continues to play politics with disaster aid and has weakened our disaster response systems. In his first year in office, he cut vital funding for state disaster preparedness, putting critical wildfire prevention efforts at risk, and continues to make plans for further cuts to vital staff at FEMA.
In response to the one-year anniversary, Climate Power En Accion’s National Press Secretary, Luis Sanchez Armas, issued the following statement:
“This anniversary is a stark reminder of how vulnerable so many of our communities are to extreme weather, and how that vulnerability is compounded by cuts to disaster preparedness and prevention. For Los Angeles residents, especially Latinos, the dangers of climate change have become all too real. What we need now is leadership committed to strengthening disaster prevention and response, ensuring that all communities are protected when the next disaster strikes. At this moment in time, we can’t play politics. It is a moment for leaders to confront the realities of climate change and put people first.”
The impact of the Los Angeles fires on the Latino community:
- Latino workers, who make up a significant portion of the Los Angeles workforce, were disproportionately impacted by the LA County fires.
- According to a January 2025 report, at least 35,000 jobs held by Latinos were at risk of temporary or permanent displacement.
- Although Latinos made up just 23% of the population across the wildfire evacuation zones, they account for 36% of workers in those areas.
- At least 74,000 Latinos were at risk of direct displacement or experienced displacement during the Los Angeles County wildfires, representing about 25% of all people impacted.
- Despite Latino neighborhoods in Los Angeles County being less likely to fall within areas directly impacted by fire zones, they are disproportionately affected by the health effects of wildfires.