If you’re scrolling through social media or looking at the hazy horizon from a Santa Monica balcony, it’s the only question that matters: is la still on fire today? You've likely seen the viral clips of hillsides glowing orange or felt that familiar, scratchy sting in the back of your throat. But the answer isn't a simple yes or no. As of January 18, 2026, Los Angeles is technically in a state of "contained recovery," though "fire season" has basically become a year-round reality here.
Right now, there are no major out-of-control mega-fires tearing through the Santa Monica Mountains or the Angeles National Forest. Honestly, that’s a massive relief compared to the chaos we saw exactly one year ago. If you remember January 2025, the Eaton and Palisades wildfires were essentially a nightmare scenario, fueled by 100-mph winds that turned the city into a literal furnace.
Today is different. While the LAFD dashboard might show a few "smoke checks" or small brush fires—like the recent incidents in Valley Glen or a recycling yard fire in Atwater Village—the city isn't "on fire" in the way the headlines suggest. But that doesn't mean the danger is gone.
Is LA Still On Fire Today? The Ground Truth
When people ask if LA is burning, they’re usually looking for two things: Are there active evacuations, and is the air safe to breathe?
According to the latest CAL FIRE and LAFD data for mid-January 2026, there are zero active "Major Incidents" within Los Angeles County. We are currently seeing the benefits of a "whiplash weather" pattern. We had some significant rainfall in early January that finally dampened the "zombie fires"—those stubborn underground embers that can linger in root systems for months.
However, "fire" in LA is often about the aftermath.
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- The Burn Scars: If you drive through Topanga or Altadena, you’ll see hillsides that look like a moonscape. These aren't active fires, but they are massive risks for mudslides if the rain hits too hard.
- Small Brush Fires: These happen almost daily. On January 17, 2026, firefighters jumped on a structure fire on Califa Street and a brush fire in the Sepulveda Basin. They were put out in minutes.
- Air Quality: Even without a massive blaze, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in LA is hovering around 60 (Moderate) today. It’s not smoke from a new fire; it’s a mix of "air stagnation," lingering dust from last year's debris removal, and the usual urban smog.
Why Everyone Is Still Talking About the Palisades and Eaton Fires
You might be seeing "fire" posts because January marks the one-year anniversary of the most destructive firestorm in Southern California history. It’s a somber time. The Los Angeles County Fire Department just launched a remembrance webpage to honor the 31 people who lost their lives in the 2025 blazes.
The scale of that disaster was staggering. We’re talking about over 17,000 structures destroyed. Many residents are still living in trailers or have been forced to sell their lots to developers because insurance payouts didn't even come close to covering the cost of rebuilding. When you see a "fire" hashtag trending, it’s often a community still grieving, not necessarily a new plume of smoke.
Understanding the "Zombie Fire" Threat
One thing experts like the crew at the Sepulveda Basin are constantly watching for are "holdover fires."
Basically, a fire can look dead on the surface but stay alive underground. In early 2025, the Palisades Fire actually re-ignited from the "Lachman Fire" burn scar. This is why you’ll see fire crews out in the middle of a perfectly clear day, digging into the dirt. They are hunting for heat.
The current La Niña pattern we’re in for 2026 means we are expecting below-average rain for the rest of the spring. That’s bad news. It means the vegetation that grew during the brief wet spells will dry out fast, turning into "standing dead" fuel by April.
Checking the Vibe: Air Quality and Safety
If you're worried about your lungs today, the AQI is "satisfactory" for most people. If you have asthma, you might feel it. The primary pollutant is PM2.5—tiny particles that are small enough to get deep into your respiratory system.
It’s a good day to be outside, but maybe don’t go for a high-intensity trail run in the canyons where the dust is still settling from the 2025 cleanup. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers just finished clearing about 2.6 million tons of toxic ash and debris from the Altadena area, but that kind of work always kicks up some nasty stuff into the air.
How to Stay Prepared in 2026
Since we live in a world where fire is a constant threat rather than a seasonal one, you've gotta be proactive.
- Download the Apps: Don't rely on Twitter/X. It's too slow and full of bots. Use the Watch Duty app or the Frontline Wildfire Defense app. They provide real-time perimeters that are much more accurate than the news.
- Check Your Air: Use a site like PurpleAir. It gives you hyper-local readings from sensors in people’s backyards. The official government sensors are often miles apart.
- Hardening Your Home: If you live in the "Wildland-Urban Interface" (WUI), now is the time to clear your defensible space. CAL FIRE has new guidelines for 2026 on low-cost retrofitting, like installing ember-resistant vents.
- Know Your Zone: Do you know your evacuation zone number? If the Santa Ana winds pick up tomorrow, "is la still on fire today" will change to "how do I get out" real fast. Find your zone on the LACoFD website and save it in your phone.
The fires of 2025 changed the city's DNA. We are more cautious now. We are more tech-reliant. And while the flames aren't currently visible from the 405, the "fire" is still very much a part of the conversation as LA rebuilds.
What you should do next:
Check the real-time LAFD Alert Map for your specific neighborhood to see if there are any active "smoke investigations" nearby. If you live in a high-risk area, review your "Go Bag" essentials—specifically making sure you have N95 masks for the fine particulate matter that lingers long after the flames are out.