American Photography 42 Winners

A Los Angeles Photographer Captures the Devastating Fires Threatening His Beloved Community

The Palisades fire took the area by surprise when the Santa Ana winds spread it rapidly across the LA area killing twelve people and destroying 6,837 structures. The fire burned 23,700 acres to become the 3rd most destructive wildfire on record in California. These photos document the destruction in Topanga Canyon, Malibu, Mandeville Canyon and the Palisades.

A Los Angeles Photographer Captures the Devastating Fires Threatening His Beloved Community

The lights of a passing fire truck light up the ruins of a beach house on Pacific Coast Highway that was burned down by the Palisades Fire on January 11, 2025. Iconic businesses such as the Reel Inn, Choladas and The Malibu Feed Bin were also burned down along Pacific Coast Highway. The Palisades fire took the area by surprise when the Santa Ana winds spread it rapidly across the LA area killing twelve people and destroying 6,837 structures. The fire burned 23,700 acres to become the 3rd most destructive wildfire on record in California. These photos document the destruction in Topanga Canyon, Malibu, Mandeville Canyon and the Palisades.

ICE Protests

A protester waves a Mexican flag as a Waymo car burns in downtown Los Angeles where people were protesting ICE raids on June 8, 2025 In early June, President Trump increased immigration enforcement nation-wide. Los Angeles, which is about 50 percent Latino, and has an estimated undocumented population of over 800,000 people, was suddenly hit by military-style ICE raids. As the arrests continued, anger spread like fire and people took to the streets of Downtown LA.

ICE Protests

A Protesters throws a rock on abandoned police vehicles on the 101 freeway in downtown Los Angeles where people were protesting ICE raids on June 8, 2025. In early June, President Trump increased immigration enforcement nation-wide. Los Angeles, which is about 50 percent Latino, and has an estimated undocumented population of over 800,000 people, was suddenly hit by military-style ICE raids. As the arrests continued, anger spread like fire and people took to the streets of Downtown LA.