• New research estimates 440 excess deaths attributed to Los Angeles wildfires in early 2025.
• The official death toll stands at 31, suggesting a major undercount of fatalities.
• Factors contributing to excess deaths include poor air quality and delays in healthcare access.
• The study calls for enhanced mortality surveillance during wildfire emergencies.
• Long-term health impacts of wildfire smoke exposure remain a pressing concern.

The wildfires that swept through Los Angeles County in January 2025 officially caused 31 deaths, but a recent study suggests that the true number of fatalities may be significantly higher, estimating an additional 440 deaths attributable to the disasters. This research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), indicates that the fires, particularly in the Altadena and Pacific Palisades areas, resulted in a staggering overall death increase during the active fire period from January 5 to February 1. Researchers observed a six percent rise in all-cause mortality in comparison to similar periods in previous years, likely due to compromised air quality and healthcare disruptions associated with the fires, according to CBS News, SFGATE, Los Angeles Times, and AA.

The research highlighted the need to improve mortality assessments in the wake of such disasters, emphasizing that existing figures often fail to capture indirect deaths caused by factors like stress and delayed medical treatment. Andrew Stokes, a co-author of the study and an associate professor, noted that “the official estimates are barely scraping the surface,” calling for better models to quantify wildfire impacts. The study documents that while 31 direct fatalities were noted, indirect deaths could be significantly undercounted, affecting vulnerable populations, especially the elderly, according to CBS News, SFGATE, and Los Angeles Times.

The study also noted the devastating effects of prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke, which may lead to increased long-term health problems for both affected communities and first responders. Stokes highlighted that “the pollutants that result from wildfires do not dissipate right away,” necessitating further studies to determine long-term health outcomes. He pointed out that the rise in hospital visits for smoke exposure reflects immediate health impacts, yet many additional deaths may surface months or years later, as is often the case with such disasters, according to CBS News, SFGATE, Los Angeles Times, and AA.