01/27/2025
The Los Angeles fires are shaping up to be some of the most destructive and expensive in the country’s history. Total damage and loss estimates are between $250 billion and $275 billion, according to AccuWeather. Meanwhile, Cal Fire says at least 24 people have been killed, more than 40,588 acres burned, and 12,300 structures destroyed.
But some homes—despite all the others around them burning to ashes—survived miraculously unscathed.
“The survival of homes, while others around them were destroyed, can actually be attributed to a mix of careful planning, structural integrity, environmental factors, and sheer effort,” says fire safety expert Daniel Vasilevski, of Bright Force Electrical.
Homes that survived could have better fire-resistant construction, such as:
• Fire-resistant materials such as stucco, metal, and stone, and roofs made of clay or metal
• Windows could be double-glazed, keeping them from shattering from heat and not allowing flames to enter the home
• Sealed gaps in walls will stop smoke and fire from entering the home
➡️ We’ve pledged $50,000 to the Realtors Relief Foundation. Join us today. Donations go directly to impacted LA residents. realtor.com/rrfcafires
