An ash-filled sky overlooks the Eastside on Thursday, Jan. 9. Photo by Andrew Lopez.

In the wake of relentless wind and raging fires that swept through overnight in Southern California and continue to burn acres of land, Los Angeles County is now left with significant debris. 

The sudden chaos has left many parents scrambling for clarity on school closures. Others spent the morning cleaning up the wreckage – with mask in hand – to help out emergency services.

Boyle Heights Beat photographers, media partners, and youth reporters have captured powerful images showcasing both the destruction and the resilience of the city.

A tree blocks a street in Boyle Heights after a powerful windstorm tore through the area. Photo by Susanica Tam.
Volunteers sort through donations at Boyle Heights City Hall. Photo by Andrew Lopez.
Maintenance workers cleaning the pool at Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights after a windstorm and nearby fires dumped debris into the water, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025. The Air Quality Index topped 440 on Wednesday morning. Photo by Genesis Peña.
The ash-filled sky over Mount Washington on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Photo by Andrew Lopez.
Burned homes smolder in the aftermath of the Palisades Fire on Pacific Coast Highway near Malibu, on Jan. 9, 2025. Photo by Ted Soqui for CalMatters.
Employee of El Norteno de Savy Store on E. Cesar E. Chavez sweeps up debris. Photo by Andrew Lopez.
Parents pick up students following school closure at Sheridan Street Elementary School. Photo by Andrew Lopez.
The Eaton Fire burns in the community of Altadena. Because of overwhelming demand, firefighters were unable to get water from hydrants that ran dry, as homes and businesses burned, on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by Ted Soqui for CalMatters.
City workers clean up debris in Boyle Heights on Wednesday, Jan. 8. Photo by Susanica Tam.
 Firefighters attempt to put out a fire at a home in Altadena, on Jan. 8, 2025. The community was devastated by the Eaton Fire.  Photo by Ted Soqui for CalMatters.
A vendor selling fruit on Cesar Chavez Avenue
A vendor selling fruit on Cesar Chavez Avenue in Boyle Heights wears a mask to protect himself from the smoke and ash of recent L.A. County wildfires. Photo by Andrew Lopez.
A fallen tree branch blocks the sidewalk in Boyle Heights after Tuesday night’s windstorm. Photo by Andrew Lopez.
Leo Guerrero uses a leaf blower to clear sidewalk outside his storefront after windstorm. Photo by Andrew Lopez.
Dozens of parents wait to pick up students at Roosevelt High School. Photo by David Garcia.
Parents wore masks while waiting in line.
Photo by David Garcia.
Commuters board a bus as Metro suspends fare collection systemwide for the rest of the day. Photo by Andrew Lopez.
Two people survey the damage of their home that was burned to the ground in an Altadena neighborhood during the Eaton Fire on Jan. 8, 2025. Photo by Jules Hotz for CalMatters.
Workers from LADWP work to restore power at the intersection of Cummings and New Jersey St. in Boyle Heights. Photo by Jessica Perez.

Boyle Heights Beat is a bilingual community newspaper produced by its youth "por y para la comunidad". The newspaper and its sister website serve an immigrant neighborhood in East Los Angeles of just under 100,000. Read more about our team

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1 Comment

  1. Thank you. Our son lives in Boyle heights. National news and LA regional news give us no sense of what he is facing in Boyle heights. Thank you for your insight and stories in photographs

    Reply
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