LA Wildfires: Should you cancel your Los Angeles holiday?
Is it safe to travel to Los Angeles right now? (Image: Jessica Christian)
LA wildfires continue to burn and many travellers are asking if it is safe to travel right now. International Traveller reached out to the experts to help you decide.
Los Angeles is no stranger to challenges, but the start of 2025 has been particularly turbulent, with the devastating wildfires causing significant damage to areas like the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst.
If you are planning to travel from February onwards, we feel confident that no action is required right now, but assume the watch and act position.
For those who have planned a visit to LA in the next two weeks, the question of whether to cancel or proceed is understandably on many minds. Here’s a guide to help you navigate your options and make the best decision for your trip.
Here’s what’s happening with the wildfires now
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As of Wednesday 15 January 2025 (AEST), wildfires are still active in California, including parts of Los Angeles, and have scorched more than 16,425 hectares. There are three fires of note in Los Angeles; Palisades, Eaton and Hurst.
The most concerning and largest is the Palisades fire, on the northern coastal reaches of LA. It has burnt 9600 hectares, including Malibu and threatened Santa Monica, and is currently only 17 per cent contained.
The Eaton fire is the second most concerning having burnt 5700 hectares and is 35 per cent contained. On the western edges of LA and above Pasadena, this is not an area frequently visited by travellers. The Hurst fire is far smaller having burnt 320 hectares and is 97 per cent contained.
The fires have led to widespread evacuations, power outages, road closures and disruptions across affected areas in Los Angeles County. For visitors, it is important to note not just the mandatory evacuation areas but the evacuation warning areas as they may need to be evacuated at some stage.
Can I cancel my holiday?
You can always cancel but you can’t always get your money back. There are two ways to get cashback. The easiest is from the operators and the second is travel insurance. Some travel providers will refund you directly so check with them first. It would be the best and easiest outcome for all. If you booked through a travel agent, defer to them to liaise for you.
Flight Centre Travel Group Global Leisure chief executive officer James Kavanagh said LA is consistently in the top 10 most booked destinations for Flight Centre.
“Our team is constantly monitoring the situation and working closely with our industry partners to ensure our customers are given the latest advice and can travel with peace of mind,” Kavanagh told International Traveller.
Alternatively, if you have booked a flexible fair you can easily move the flight to a later time and maybe even refund with a fee. For accommodation, it comes down to the booking terms, so if you have late cancellations then you are on easy street. But it is worth asking even if you are not sure. Some operators will be understanding and may offer you a refund or credit as goodwill.
If you want to use travel insurance to get your money back, it depends on the policy – yep that pesky small print. It is also important to note that you cannot be insured for a loss of enjoyment. LA may be smoky and will be in a state of shock and likely not such an enjoyable place to visit right now, but it is open and operating.
We reached out to PassportCard who said trip cancellations before departure due to natural disasters, including the LA wildfires, are covered. But that is only if a wildfire makes it impractical to travel to your destination, such as through cancelled flights or inaccessible accommodation, the policy covers non-refundable travel and accommodation expenses. So if your flight to or from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is leaving, then no dice. Hence it is easier to go to the suppliers directly.
“The situation continues to evolve but it’s important to note that LAX remains open and operational. At this point in time people are typically travelling as planned,” Kavanagh said.
However, Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) has experienced significant delays and cancellations.
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The same principle will apply to hotels. If the accommodation provider is open and operating and you choose to cancel then it is not likely to be covered. However, we want to encourage all travellers to call their travel insurance provider and see what is possible as many will be more understanding than you may think.
One final piece of key information for travel insurance is that different travel insurance providers will have different “known event” dates. If you book travel after the event is “known” then you will not have coverage for any claims due to the fires. PassportCard has treated the wildfires as a known event since 11.10am on Friday 10 January 2025, whereas COTA travel insurance has considered it a known event since 12am on Thursday 9 January 2025. That may be due to time differences between Australia and the US, but we are unsure at this stage. Again, check directly with your provider.
Fires could affect your health, are you covered?
The other really big thing to consider is the air quality. Even if your flight is still scheduled, your accommodation is welcoming guests and all the activities you have booked are open, the areas not in immediate fire danger have still been impacted by bad air quality. You wouldn’t be eligible for reimbursement based on this alone, so this is a decision that carries some big financial losses.
Michael Storozhev, chief underwriting officer at PassportCard, said poor air quality can exacerbate asthma or respiratory conditions, and their policy will provide medical coverage for travellers affected and requiring medical attention.
“We know how difficult being out of pocket can be, so our unique claims solution is there to support travellers. For medical claims, travellers can use their PassportCard for approved claims at a pharmacy, hospital or doctor to pay for their claim on the card without being out-of-pocket,” he told International Traveller.
“The policy provides coverage for pre-existing respiratory conditions if the condition has been declared and approved before the journey or falls under the list of automatically covered conditions.
“However, unless it results in official closures, poor air quality alone is not covered unless it leads to broader disruptions impacting travel or safety.”
The key word in Michael’s comment is approved. So do not commit to any treatment without express approval in writing from your travel insurance provider.
I can’t cancel, so what can I do to stay safe?
If you’re unable to cancel your Los Angeles holiday or don’t wish to, ensure you avoid areas with active warnings or evacuation orders and keep informed about wildfire activity, air quality and government advisories for Los Angeles or California. Websites like Cal Fire or Smartraveller provide real-time updates.
Health experts have recommended N95 respirator masks be worn when outdoors to protect against wildfire smoke. Single-strap paper dust and surgical masks do not adequately protect from wildfire smoke. Portable air purifiers are also useful, especially if you’re sensitive to poor air quality, and get an extra prescription of all necessary medications, just in case.
To ensure your visit is safe and enjoyable, consider spending more time at indoor attractions, such as museums, movies or even indoor attractions at Disneyland Resort and Universal Studios to avoid smoky conditions.
Have any tourist attractions been affected?
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The Getty Villa in the Pacific Palisades and The Getty Center in Brentwood are both safe from the fires as of Monday 13 January 2025, but The Getty Center will remain closed until at least Monday 20 January 2025 and The Getty Villa until further notice.
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The Hollywood sign remains undamaged but closed, despite fake photos circulating online showing the iconic sign engulfed in flames. Griffith Park and the Observatory have also not been damaged. Griffith Park including Lake Hollywood and Runyon Canyon will remain closed until further notice.
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Universal Studios Hollywood was closed from 8–9 January 2025, but with no damage it resumed operation as usual on Friday 10 January 2025.
Disneyland Resort in Anaheim has remained fully operational and continues to deliver its signature magic, with the closest fire approximately 50 kilometres away.
Resilience is at the heart of Los Angeles, and so is the magic of making unforgettable memories. With thoughtful planning and the right travel protections, your 2025 LA adventure can still be a trip of a lifetime.
Please note: Each travel insurance provider will be different, so make sure you check with your provider for all the details of your coverage.
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