NEWS – Wildfires erupted across Los Angeles in January 2025, killing 10 people, displacing over 130,000, and destroying homes.

HIGHLIGHTS

Causes and Factors Amplifying the Wildfires

Wet Weather Followed by Dry Conditions

• Unusual Patterns:
  • The last two winters (2022, 2023) were wetter than usual, resulting in a surge of vegetation growth.
  • This winter (2025) has been exceptionally dry, turning vegetation into dry kindling.
• Record Dryness:
  • Since October, Southern California has recorded negligible rainfall.
  • Los Angeles airport reported only 03 inches of rain since October 1, marking the driest start to the water year since 1944.

Santa Ana Winds

• Characteristics:
  • Seasonal winds that blow westwards from the Great Basin deserts toward the coast.
  • As the winds descend over the Sierra Nevada and Santa Ana mountains, they lose humidity, heat up, and accelerate.
• Impact on Fires:
  • The unusually strong winds this year have fueled the flames, making them larger and spreading them faster.

Climate Change

• Prolonged Fire Seasons:
  • Rising global temperatures have led to longer and more intense wildfire seasons.
  • Early snowmelt and warmer springs/summers exacerbate dry conditions, stressing vegetation.
• Increased Intensity:
  • California’s wildfire season has extended over the years, with peak burn periods shifting earlier.

Key Observations

• Why Winter Wildfires?
  • A combination of past wet seasons, current dryness, and strong Santa Ana winds set the stage for a winter blaze.
• Why Is It So Severe?
  • Record dryness, powerful winds, and climate change have compounded the fires’ size and intensity.
• Broader Implications:
  • The incident underscores the growing impact of climate change on extreme weather events worldwide.