What is the Cause of the Los Angeles Wildfires?

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The wildfire season, which has raised alarms in previous years in California, starts in summer and theoretically ends with the arrival of November. However, this does not seem to have prevented what is becoming an accelerated natural disaster in Los Angeles, CA since this Tuesday, January 7: several wildfires are advancing uncontrollably.

The fire in the Palisades area, one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the city, began on the morning of the mentioned day, ravaging almost 20,000 acres, putting thousands of homes at risk, including those of celebrities like Tom Hanks, Ben Affleck, Steven Spielberg, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Keaton, and Travis Barker, among others.

Around 6:30 AM on Tuesday, the fire in the Eaton area began in Altadena, near Pasadena, consuming more than 13,200 acres. So far, there are 10 people dead, tens of thousands evacuated, and 90,000 structures destroyed by the fire. Karen Bass, the mayor of Los Angeles, declared the state of emergency on Tuesday.

 

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The Kenneth Fire has burned 960 acres near the border of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.  The Sunset Fire burned 60 acres and prompted mandatory evacuation orders in Hollywood and the Hollywood Hills, but the fire is now 100% contained.

The Hurst Fire burned 771 acres and the Lidia Fire burned 394 acres in Acton. The latter is 75% contained, according to Cal Fire.

What is the cause of the fires in Los Angeles?

Firefighters continue to investigate the causes of the natural disaster in Southern California. It all has to do with a combination of several factors; on one hand, drier vegetation, combined with strong wind gusts; the so-called Santa Ana winds.

The famous Santa Ana winds occur several times a year, especially in the colder months. The phenomenon occurs when a large high-pressure area is established over the interior of the western United States, centered in the so-called Great Basin, which includes much of Nevada and parts of Utah, Idaho, and southeastern Oregon.

These are generally dry and desert areas, meaning the winds reaching California lack moisture. This creates the perfect breeding ground for wildfires. So far, the L.A. County Fire Department has confirmed that the fire has not been contained in any way, nor has progress been made in extinguishing efforts.

«I am being frequently briefed on the wildfires in west Los Angeles. My team and I are in touch with state and local officials, and I have offered any federal assistance that is needed to help suppress the terrible Pacific Palisades fire. Earlier tonight, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to support areas that are impacted and help reimburse the state of California for the immediate firefighting costs. My Administration will do everything it can to support the response,» President Joe Biden communicated through X.