Metallica Send Strong Message on California Fires

2025-01-14

The metal men of Metallica are from California, so they’re impacted by what they’re seeing transpire with the raging fires around L.A. – Author: Cat Badra, Photo via Ross Halfin

The metal men of Metallica are from California, so they’re obviously impacted by what they’re seeing transpire with the raging fires throughout the Los Angeles area and beyond. Now, Metallica are sending a stern message about the California fires and trying to help.

As of Tuesday, January 14, the fires across the L.A. area have killed at least 24 people, destroyed more than 12,000 structures and burned more than 60 square miles,” stated CBS News. The largest fires, the Palisades and Eaton wildfires, were still burning as of Tuesday, officials warned.

Officials also reported that around 88,000 people in Los Angeles County were under evacuation orders as of Tuesday morning. Curfews are in place for those in the Palisades and Eaton fire zones, too.

Metallica: ‘The Disaster Upends Families’

On Monday, January 13, Metallica sent out a collective statement about the brutal fires. They also announced that their charitable organization, the All Within My Hands Foundation, is donating $500,000 to relief efforts related to the fires.

“The fires raging in the Los Angeles area have relentlessly wreaked havoc and widespread destruction since January 7 and, sadly, do not show signs of slowing down,” Metallica said in the statement. “Despite containment progress over the weekend, officials warn residents to stay vigilant as the Santa Ana winds return and are expected to reach up to 70 MPH over the coming days, creating critical fire conditions.”

They added that “in the past week, the community has suffered at least 24 lives lost, nearly 100,000 people under evacuation orders, 40,000 acres burned, and more than 12,000 structures—commercial and residential—destroyed. However, numbers cannot articulate the magnitude of anguish as the disaster upends families and dismantles livelihoods.”

Metallica went on to say that the $500,000 they’re donating to the relief efforts through All Within My Hands will be split between the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund and the Pasadena Community Foundation’s Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund.

Why Metallica Chose the Charities They Did

Metallica picked these charities because they have a long history of helping people in need. In a statement, the band said that the California Community Foundation (CCF) “leverages partnerships with community-based organizations and government agencies while using data from CalFire and the CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index to prioritize underserved communities.”

They added that, “for the LA County wildfires, CCF has activated its Wildfire Recovery Fund to complement immediate relief and address the long-term recovery needs of neighborhoods.”

As for the Pasadena Community Foundation (PCF), a release notes that the organization has established the Eaton Canyon Fire Relief and Recovery Fund. A smaller agency, PCF is entrenched within the community, poised to leverage connections with civic and nonprofit leaders to ensure its aid reaches those who need it most.”

They add that, “the fund will support immediate needs during relief efforts as the fires continue to spread. It will also support critical long-term recovery efforts after the fires are extinguished and the community embarks upon the seemingly impossible task of rebuilding what has been demolished.”

Kudos to the metal men of Metallica for giving back to these communities that are hurting so much.

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Cat Badra

Meet the expert - Cat Badra is a music writer for Audio Ink Radio and a range of other music, sports and lifestyle publications. She's a graduate of Michigan State University with a master's degree in theater and speech. Contact her at cat@audioinkradio.com.

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