The damage from this year’s Los Angeles wildfires extends far beyond burned neighborhoods and hillsides, new research shows. At a roundtable in San Pedro this week, Mayor Karen Bass joined environmental leaders and scientists to discuss how wildfire ash and debris are affecting LA’s coastlines and oceans—an issue now drawing urgent attention from local officials and researchers.
The January wildfires, which destroyed more than 16,000 structures and forced thousands to evacuate, have left an enduring mark on the region’s environment. As public health officials warn residents to avoid fire debris and heavy ash, scientists are studying how runoff and airborne particles are impacting marine life and water quality along the Southern California coast. Researchers from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and NOAA Fisheries observed ash and debris coating the ocean surface as far as 100 miles offshore, according to Oceana.
The wildfires forced at least 2,800 Black households in Altadena to evacuate within a single day, according to a UCLA data brief. Nearly half of Black households in Altadena were destroyed or suffered major damage, a higher share than other groups in the area. The Eaton Fire alone burned more than 1,000 structures in this historic community, which has long been a hub of Black homeownership and culture in Los Angeles.
These losses have compounded existing challenges for Black residents. Many families, especially older homeowners, now face the prospect of rebuilding with limited insurance coverage and rising property values, as detailed in Capital B News. Some residents have reported being approached by developers and real estate brokers soon after the fires, raising concerns about disaster-driven displacement and “disaster gentrification.”
Air quality in parts of Los Angeles has also reached dangerous levels, with experts warning that smoke from burned homes—many built with now-banned toxic materials—can release hazardous pollutants. For Black residents in South LA and other affected neighborhoods, the cost of air purifiers and protective equipment is an added burden, with many left to weather the worsening air quality with limited resources.
During the roundtable, Mayor Bass said, “Protecting our coastlines and oceans is critical to the recovery from January’s wildfires as well as pursuing our climate goals here in Los Angeles.” The event was hosted by AltaSea, a public-private ocean innovation campus at the Port of Los Angeles.
Experts at the roundtable highlighted several concerns, including the risk of wildfire debris smothering kelp forests and the possibility of toxins from ash runoff affecting the development of marine species. Past studies have found that ash from forest fires can sometimes trigger harmful algal blooms, creating low oxygen “dead zones” where marine life cannot survive. Dan Pondella, biology professor at Occidental College, told LAist that reduced light from ash can limit photosynthesis in kelp forests and could lead to entire reefs being buried.
The economic stakes are significant. Southern California’s coastline supports nearly 600,000 jobs in fishing, tourism and recreation, contributing more than $42 billion to the state’s economy. With the region’s unique mix of warm and cold ocean currents, the area is home to endangered whales, sea lions, giant kelp forests and other vital habitats now facing new threats.
Representatives from organizations including Heal the Bay, the Marine Mammal Care Center, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Kelp Ark, and USC Sea Grant joined city leaders and Port of LA Executive Director Gene Seroka to discuss ocean-based climate solutions and the need for ongoing monitoring.
AltaSea President and CEO Terry Tamminen said the organization is “dedicated to bringing together climate experts and innovators to protect our coastlines and oceans for the future.” Seroka added that the Port of LA is demonstrating how the city can be a hub for both business and environmental innovation.
While the January wildfires are now fully contained, scientists say their effects on the ocean and coastline will continue to unfold in the months ahead. Ongoing research and collaboration between city leaders, scientists and community organizations will be crucial in understanding and addressing the long-term environmental impacts.
