L.A. fires led to more than 400 additional deaths, study finds

The devastating fires that swept through Los Angeles earlier this year had a much higher toll than initially reported. While the official count stood at 31 lives lost, a new study published in the medical journal JAMA revealed that an estimated 440 more deaths could be attributed to the fires during the period from Jan. 5 to Feb. 1, 2025.

Lead author Andrew Stokes emphasized the need to consider the long-term impacts of wildfires, citing the toxic substances and particles in wildfire smoke as potential risk factors for future health issues. The study also highlighted the impact of delays in accessing necessary healthcare during the disaster.

Looking beyond the immediate aftermath, the authors called for improved mortality surveillance and further research into the causes contributing to excess deaths related to wildfires. They noted that previous research on natural disasters has shown a “long tail” of health effects that may manifest in the years following the event.

In a related study published by the JAMA Network, researchers examined the health impacts of the Maui wildfires that ravaged the island in August 2023. The findings revealed significant heart, lung, and psychological health issues among adults affected by the fires, with residents within the fire perimeter experiencing lower lung function.

The study also found an increase in suicide and overdose death rates in Hawaii following the wildfires, underscoring the need for rapid deployment of prevention interventions during wildfire response and recovery phases.

As climate-driven disasters become more frequent and intense, proactive strategies to monitor and mitigate their long-term health effects will be essential. The research emphasizes the importance of protecting vulnerable populations and enhancing resilience in the face of such disasters.

The lead author of the study, Sara Moniuszko, is a health and lifestyle reporter at CBSNews.com, with a background in covering breaking and trending news related to health and wellness. Her work focuses on raising awareness about the impact of natural disasters on public health and advocating for proactive measures to address these challenges.