Breaking Down the Causes of the Wildfires Burning Through Los Angeles
Fire officials are investigating the causes of multiple wildfires that have been wreaking havoc across parts of Southern California on Wednesday, destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate.
The Palisades Fire, which began burning around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, has scorched thousands of acres near the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu. Shortly after, at 6:30 p.m., the Eaton Fire broke out in Altadena, near Pasadena, and quickly grew to over 10,000 acres. Later in the evening, around 10:30 p.m., a smaller blaze, the Hurst Fire, ignited in Sylmar, in the San Fernando Valley, consuming approximately 500 acres. While the causes of these fires are still under investigation, Cal Fire suspects that the powerful Santa Ana winds are playing a significant role in their rapid spread.
According to Cal Fire, the combination of dry fuels, low humidity, and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and fast-moving wildfires. The National Weather Service had already issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions in Los Angeles County prior to the fires starting. Officials warned that wind gusts could reach up to 100 mph, creating ideal conditions for extreme fire behavior.
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Wildfires can be sparked by both natural and artificial causes. Lightning strikes, especially in higher elevations, can ignite dry vegetation and spread quickly, fueled by winds. In urban areas like Southern California, vehicles are also common culprits, with sparks from trucks or cars, such as those caused by dragging chains or catalytic converters, potentially starting fires. Additionally, power lines that sway in strong winds can generate sparks, which may ignite nearby dry vegetation. Unattended campfires are another prevalent human cause of wildfires.
While the historical wildfire season typically runs from July to late November or early December, experts now recognize that fire season has become a year-round phenomenon in California, particularly due to the state’s dry conditions in winter months. Governor Gavin Newsom recently acknowledged this shift, stating, “There’s no fire season, it’s fire year. It’s year-round.”
Climate change is exacerbating the problem, contributing to larger and more intense wildfires. Warmer temperatures create more dangerous fire conditions, although other factors like population growth, increased fire ignitions, and the Santa Ana winds are also key contributors to the rise in large wildfires.
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