Janice R. Andrews
Los Angeles is experiencing unprecedented destruction as wildfires tear through the region, destroying dozens of historic buildings and claiming multiple lives. The two major blazes – the Palisades fire and Easton fire – have consumed nearly 38,000 acres, with containment levels at just 13% and 27% respectively.
The fires have obliterated 32 historically significant buildings, marking what preservationists call an unprecedented loss of cultural heritage. Among the most notable casualties is the Will Rogers estate, a sprawling 31-room property in the Palisades that showcased early 20th-century California architecture. The Rogers family, through spokesperson Jennifer Rogers-Etcheverry, expressed their grief while acknowledging the broader community’s suffering.
The unique Bunny Museum in Altadena, home to an extensive collection of nearly 46,000 rabbit-themed items, has also been destroyed. Other irreplaceable losses include the historic Zane Grey Estate and the 1887 Andrew McNally house, both vital pieces of Los Angeles’ architectural history.
Preservation expert Richard Schave emphasized the cultural significance of these losses, while Ken Bernstein from the City Planning’s Office of Historic Resources highlighted how climate-related disasters pose an escalating threat to historic properties.
The human toll continues to mount with 24 confirmed deaths. As dangerous winds persist, authorities have issued red flag warnings and evacuation orders. The investigation into the fires’ causes remains ongoing, while the region braces for potentially worsening conditions.
