California Wildfires

California, particularly Los Angeles, is currently experiencing devastating wildfires, notably the Palisades and Eaton fires. These fires have destroyed tens of thousands of acres and thousands of buildings. Normally, California's wildfire season occurs during summer, from June to October, but this year's fires broke out in January, during the coldest winter months.

When is California’s Wildfire Season?

• Wildfires in California usually occur between June and October.
• Due to recurring droughts, California now faces a much longer fire season, with more fire-prone days. In fact, the state now experiences 78 more "fire days" than it did 50 years ago, making wildfires a year-round issue.
• Common causes of wildfires include arson and sparks from power lines.

What Caused These Wildfires?

The exact cause of the current wildfires has not been determined. Investigators are looking into various potential ignition sources.

• Common Causes: Lightning is the most frequent cause of wildfires in the U.S., but it has been ruled out in this case since there were no lightning strikes in the affected areas.
• Possible Causes: The two likely causes are either intentional fires (arson) or sparks from utility power lines.
• Drought Conditions: Southern California, where the fires are happening, has been experiencing severe drought for months. While 9% of California was drought-free as of December 2024, the rest of the state has been dry, creating the perfect conditions for wildfires.
• Climate Change: Climate change has worsened the frequency and intensity of wildfires, contributing to longer seasons and larger areas being burned.
• Wind and Dry Conditions: The Santa Ana winds, which are dry, hot winds common in the region, have made the situation worse. These winds, which can gust up to 100 mph, dry out vegetation, making it highly flammable. In this dry environment, even a small spark—like from a cigarette, vehicle, or power line—can ignite a fire.
  • These winds blow when high pressure builds over the Great Basin — the area between the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada — and pressure is low over California’s coast. The difference in pressure triggers powerful winds that move from the Basin’s inland deserts east and north of Southern California towards the Pacific Ocean.
  • As the wind comes down the mountains, it compresses and heats up, and its humidity falls — sometimes to less than 10%. The hot, dry wind dries out forests, and fuels wildfires.
  • Santa Ana winds are a natural part of California’s climate pattern, and usually blow from October to January.
• Embers, or firebrands: These winds don't just fan the flames and push the fires through the natural world. They also carry embers. These embers, or firebrands, are the leading cause of structure loss in wildfires.
• Hills and canyons: The area's hilly landscape also raises the risk posed by wildfire. 
• Flammable Materials: Los Angeles also has many flammable materials like dry vegetation, low-hanging power lines, and wooden telephone poles that further increase fire risks.
• Previous Incidents: Santa Ana winds were responsible for other significant wildfires, including the 2018 Woolsey fire, which caused three deaths and destroyed 1,600 structures.