In early 2025, Southern California experienced a series of devastating wildfires, including the Palisades Fire in Malibu and the Eaton Fire in Altadena. These fires burned over 57,000 acres, destroyed more than 18,000 structures, and resulted in at least 30 fatalities. Fueled by severe drought conditions, low humidity, and powerful Santa Ana winds reaching up to 100 mph, the fires left widespread damage in their wake.
As the flames subsided, the environmental impact continued in unexpected ways. Runoff from the burned areas carried heavy metals, microplastics, and other toxic substances into the Pacific Ocean, contributing to harmful algal blooms—commonly known as red tides—along the Southern California coast. These blooms produce domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin that affects marine life and poses risks to humans who consume contaminated seafood. The influx of nutrients from the wildfire runoff, along with disturbed sediments from strong winds, has intensified the frequency and severity of these blooms. Marine ecosystems are suffering as a result, with increased instances of illness and death among sea life.
The red tides have taken a particularly heavy toll on animals. Sea lions and dolphins have been found disoriented or suffering seizures due to domoic acid exposure, leading to a spike in rescues and emergency care along the coast. Seabirds feeding on contaminated fish are also falling ill, and several shellfish species have shown dangerously high toxin levels. These cascading effects are disrupting food chains and placing long-term pressure on already fragile marine biodiversity.
Human communities are feeling the consequences as well. Local fisheries have been forced to shut down due to seafood safety concerns, causing economic hardship for fishermen and vendors. Beach closures and red tide warnings are hurting tourism, while residents near the coast are reporting respiratory issues triggered by airborne toxins from the blooms. Public health agencies are ramping up monitoring efforts, but the situation underscores the growing challenges posed by the intersection of climate change, natural disasters, and environmental health.
