Wildfires persisted in ravaging Los Angeles, California, on Thursday, resulting in five fatalities, prompting the evacuation of more than 130,000 individuals, and destroying residences, including those of stars such as Paris Hilton, Adam Brody, Billy Crystal, and more.
The fires that are still active include the Palisades fire, the Eaton fire, as well as the Sunset, Hurst, and Lidia fires. Hollywood Hills is one of the areas impacted, and the announcement of the Oscar nominations has been postponed by two days due to the fire.
Although California has experienced wildfires before, the present outbreak is exceptionally large and rapid. Interestingly, it is during winter, which is typically not the season for wildfires. So what is causing the fires in Los Angeles right now, and why are they so severe?
The cause of the wildfires remains unclear, but it is possible that power cables swaying in the wind contributed to them. However, these factors caused the fire to escalate:
Rainy conditions, succeeded by dry weather
The previous two winters, in 2022 and 2023, were exceptionally rainy for the Los Angeles area. This resulted in numerous trees and bushes emerging. This winter has been remarkably arid for Southern California. As a result, all the plants have withered away, essentially resting like dry twigs in the way of fire.
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Climate change
Specialists indicate that the wildfire season in California has increased in duration in recent years. For example, a study conducted in 2021 and published in Nature Scientific Reports revealed that the state’s annual burning season has increased in length over the last twenty years, with the peak shifting from August to July each year. The wildfires have become increasingly intense in recent years.
The increase in global temperatures has resulted in hotter springs and summers, as well as earlier melting of spring snow. These factors collectively lead to longer and more severe dry seasons, increasing moisture stress on plant life.
