On January 11, 2025, Delta Airlines announced the cancellation of approximately 1,100 flights across its network due to an ice storm affecting the southern United States. Over 3,000 flights were canceled, with many others delayed as severe winter weather impacted major airports, particularly Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, Georgia, where all five runways were closed for over two hours.
In addition to the cancellations, one Delta flight had to abort its takeoff due to a mechanical issue, leading to the evacuation of over 200 passengers and crew members. The airline anticipates a return to normal operations by the following day. Other airports, including Dallas Fort Worth and Charlotte Douglas, also faced significant disruptions due to the weather.
Simultaneously, firefighters in Los Angeles battled five major wildfires that have resulted in at least 11 fatalities and the destruction of over 10,000 structures. President Joe Biden described the situation in Los Angeles as resembling a 'war zone' and noted reports of looting amid the chaos.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff imposed a nighttime curfew in affected areas to prevent looting, with National Guard troops deployed to assist in maintaining order. Access to devastated neighborhoods, such as Altadena, was restricted to emergency personnel and the media.
As of January 11, one of the largest fires had burned over 8,000 acres, with only 8% contained, while another fire in Eaton was only 3% contained. The governor of California called for an independent review of the city's water services amid concerns over firefighting capabilities. Investigations are also underway regarding an illegal drone that collided with a firefighting aircraft.