LA Wildfire Deaths Far Exceed Official Count: Study

Research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association estimates that the January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles resulted in about 440 excess deaths, far exceeding the 30–31 fatalities officially attributed to direct fire impacts. These excess deaths are linked to poor air quality, worsening of heart and lung conditions, healthcare access delays, and disruptions to health services. The study compared mortality during the wildfire period to previous years and found a nearly 7% increase in deaths. Experts argue that official death counts often underestimate the broader health impacts of wildfires due to the difficulty in capturing indirect and partially attributable fatalities. The findings highlight the urgent need for improved disaster mortality surveillance and further research into the long-term health consequences of climate-driven disasters. Calls for more comprehensive tracking methods are growing in response to these revelations.