Los Angeles wildfires have caused significant property damage and ten fatalities. Climate change and extreme drought conditions have made the Palisades and Eaton fires even more catastrophic.
At least ten people have been murdered by the flames in Los Angeles, which have also damaged about 10,000 buildings, including the residences of famous people like Paris Hilton, Adam Brody, and Jamie Lee Curtis. The Palisades, Eaton, Sunset, Hurst, and Lidia fires are among the main fires.LIVE Updates on Los Angeles Wildfires
Two of the most catastrophic fires in Los Angeles history are the Eaton Fire near Pasadena and the Palisades Fire, which is situated between Santa Monica and Malibu. Collectively, they have destroyed entire neighborhoods to ashes by burning more than 34,000 acres (13,750 hectares), or around 53 square miles.
Although there are presently 10 people dead from the flames in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna has issued a warning that the death toll is expected to increase. "These areas appear to have been hit by an atomic bomb." We're not anticipating such figures, and I don't anticipate positive news," he stated.
How did the wildfires in Los Angeles begin?
In some parts of California, climate change is delaying the arrival of autumn and winter rains. According to reports, Los Angeles has had the second-lowest rainfall in 150 years since July 2024.
Notably, storms and strong winter rains caused major flooding in Southern California last year. It experienced one of the warmest summers and the driest rainy season, which led to the development of drought.According to the CNN story, an unusual windstorm has caused the plants that sprouted from last winter's intense rain to dry up and become extremely flammable, igniting wildfires that have spread rapidly over Los Angeles.
How did the wildfires in Los Angeles begin?
In some parts of California, climate change is delaying the arrival of autumn and winter rains. According to reports, Los Angeles has had the second-lowest rainfall in 150 years since July 2024.
Notably, storms and strong winter rains caused major flooding in Southern California last year. It experienced one of the warmest summers and the driest rainy season, which led to the development of drought.According to the CNN story, an unusual windstorm has caused the plants that sprouted from last winter's intense rain to dry up and become extremely flammable, igniting wildfires that have spread rapidly over Los Angeles.
Strong Santa Ana winds and a dearth of precipitation have produced "critical" fire conditions in Southern California, according to NASA Earth Observatory, which cited the National Weather Service. The lack of rain has increased the risk of fire even though winds are typical this season.
“Since October, there has been very little rainfall in Southern California, and climate scientist Daniel Swain says the region has had the driest start to winter ever,” NASA continued.
As an illustration, NASA reported that from October 1, the start of California's water year, the Los Angeles airport has only received 0.03 inches (0.08 cm) of rain. According to National Weather Service records going back to 1944, this made it the region's driest start to the water year.
"The combination of low humidity, dry fuels, and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and rapid expansion," a statement from Cal Fire reads.
According to Reuters, the US National Weather Service warned of a high fire risk in the area prior to the flames, citing "critically dry fuels" such as hardwoods, palms, grasses, and shrubs that were ready to ignite.
The average temperature in California has increased by almost 1 degree Celsius since 1980, which has doubled the number of days with dry plants that are susceptible to fire, according to fire control specialist Lindon Pronto, as reported by Reuters. Throughout the year, notably in December and January, this results in more intense fire behavior. In addition to the natural vegetation, flammable materials such as power lines, telephone poles, and wood-framed dwellings can be found in urban parts of Los Angeles.
What else can be causing wildfires to rage?
The National Fire Protection Association states that lightning is the most frequent cause of fires in the United States, but investigators were able to quickly rule that out, according to the Associated Press. But investigators have ruled out arson, lightning,and utility problems are the reasons for the present fires in Los Angeles. It further stated that no electric incidents connected to the fires have been reported to the California Public Utilities Commission.
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