Why are flags flying at half-mast at California state offices? Here’s what to know

Flags are flying at half-mast at all California state buildings, but why?

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday ordered flags flown at half-mast in the Golden State to commemorate the start of the destructive Los Angeles wildfires one year ago, the governor’s office said.

He also proclaimed Jan. 7 a day of remembrance for the fires and 31 people who died in them.

“The loss from those fires leaves wounds that time cannot heal,” Newsom said in the proclamation. “Today, California remembers and honors those 31 people, grieving with their families and friends.”

The proclamation also mentions the Tubbs, Camp and North Complex blazes of recent years.

“The past decade has seen fires on a scale once unimaginable — driven by hotter temperatures, prolonged drought and the accelerating realities of a changing climate,” Newsom said.

“Humanity cannot defy nature, but we can meet its challenges with resolve and preparation,” he said.

The order follows one issued Tuesday lowering flags at the state Capitol and Capitol Annex to half-mast in honor of U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Oroville, who died suddenly Tuesday.

Here’s what to know:

Acknowledging the devastating 2025 Los Angeles wildfires

The Palisades Fire in Los Angeles County blackened 23,448 acres, killed 12 civilians, injured one firefighter, and destroyed 6,837 structures.

The arson blaze began Jan. 7 and took 24 days to contain.

The fire erupted in the Pacific Palisades community in the Santa Monica Mountains, spreading rapidly to engulf entire neighborhoods and prompt tens of thousands of evacuations, KNBC reported.

The Eaton Fire, which began at almost the same time in another part of Los Angeles County, burned 14,201 acres and killed 19 people before being contained on Jan. 31.

In all, more than 8,000 California wildfires blackened 525,223 acres, killed 31 people and burned 16,512 structures in the past year, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

Honoring late-U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa

LaMalfa, 65, had been a congressman since 2013, representing California’s sprawling 1st District, including the counties of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter and Tehama, and most of Yuba County.

He was a state assemblyman from 2002 to 2008 and state senator from 2010 to 2012.

LaMalfa died during emergency surgery at a Chico hospital early Tuesday following a medical emergency at his home, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.

“Congressman Doug LaMalfa was a devoted public servant who deeply loved his country, his state, and the communities he represented. While we often approached issues from different perspectives, he fought every day for the people of California with conviction and care,” Newsom said. “He will be deeply missed.”

This story was originally published January 7, 2026 at 12:20 PM with the headline "Why are flags flying at half-mast at California state offices? Here’s what to know."