Devastating fires in California: NASA's JPL also under threat: GFZ

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„The destruction caused by the fires is unbelievable. Our thoughts are with the people on the ground and we feel and fear with them,“ says Susanne Buiter, Scientific Director of the GFZ.

Fire with heavy smoke on wooded mountain slopes, a city in the valley. — The Yucaipa forest fire on 8 January 2025, day 1, seen in the evening from Yucaipa Blvd. About 25 kilometres away from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in Pasadena, which is now threatened by fire. *(Photo: Scott – stock.adobe.com)*

Ensemble of multi-storey white technical buildings in front of a wooded, mountainous landscape. — NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in Pasadena, which is now threatened by fire. It has already had to be evacuated. Only an emergency crew remains on site. *(Photo: JPL, gemeinfrei)*

Ensemble of multi-storey technical buildings in the valley, surrounded by lightly wooded mountains. — NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in Pasadena, which is now threatened by fire. It has already had to be evacuated. Only an emergency crew is still on site. *(Photo: JPL, gemeinfrei)*

The devastating fires in California around Los Angeles are affecting the livelihoods of many people. NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) in Pasadena, our key partner in the GRACE satellite missions for 30 years, is now also under threat and had to be evacuated. Many of our colleagues there, with whom we have worked closely for many years and in some cases are friends, have been personally affected and some have lost their homes.

“The destruction caused by the fires is unbelievable. We hope that the people and our colleagues and friends there will be able to get themselves and their families to safety in time and stay healthy. Our thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones or whose homes have been destroyed. We very much hope that the fires can be brought under control soon. We also hope that all those affected by evacuations can find safe shelter. The fires not only threaten people and their belongings, but also decades of research work at JPL, not least for our important joint climate missions GRACE, GRACE-FO and GRACE-C. Our thoughts are with the people there and we feel and fear with them,” says Susanne Buiter, Scientific Director of the GFZ.