Wildfires continued to ravage Los Angeles, California on Thursday claiming the lives of five people, forcing over 130,000 to evacuate, and destroying homes, including those of celebrities such as Paris Hilton, Adam Brody, and Billy Crystal. The ongoing fires include the Palisades, Eaton, Sunset, Hurst and Lidia fires, with areas like Hollywood Hills severely impacted. The devastation has also delayed the Oscars nominations announcement by two days.
While wildfires are common in California, this particular outbreak is unusually large, fast-moving, and occurring in winter—a time typically not associated with wildfires. The exact cause of the fires is still under investigation, but power cables downed by winds are a likely factor. Three key conditions contributed to the severity of the fires:
Wet weather followed by dry conditions
The Los Angeles region experienced unusually wet winters in 2022 and 2023, promoting abundant vegetation growth. However, this winter has been exceptionally dry, leaving these plants dried out and highly flammable. NASA reported that Southern California has received minimal rain since October, with Los Angeles Airport recording just 0.03 inches of rain since the beginning of the water year, marking the driest start to the year since records began in 1944.
Santa Ana winds
Strong Santa Ana winds, common in California during this season, have been particularly intense this year. These winds, which develop due to high pressure in the Great Basin, accelerate as they move westward toward the coast. By the time they reach Southern California, they are dry, warm, and fast, fanning the flames and rapidly spreading the fires.
Climate change
Climate change is intensifying extreme weather events, including wildfires. Experts note that the wildfire season in California has been lengthening in recent years, with peaks shifting from August to July. Warmer temperatures and early snow melts contribute to longer and more intense dry seasons, placing added stress on vegetation and making it more susceptible to fire.