USA TODAY | Published January 9, 2025
Fire officials are investigating the causes of multiple wildfires that are destroying homes and forcing thousands to evacuate across parts of Southern California on Wednesday.
The Palisades Fire started burning around 10:30 a.m. Tuesday and has scorched thousands acres around the beach towns of Santa Monica and Malibu. Around 6:30 p.m., the Eaton Fire broke out in Altadena near Pasadena and swelled to more than 10,000 acres. By 10:30 p.m. a smaller blaze named the Hurst Fire had ignited in Sylmar, in the San Fernando Valley northwest of downtown Los Angeles and consumed about 500 acres.
The cause of all three blazes are still under investigation, according to Cal Fire. But the powerful Santa Ana winds are likely driving their rapid growth.
“The combination of low humidity, dry fuels and shifting winds has heightened the potential for spot fires and rapid expansion,” Cal Fire said in an update.
How do wildfires start?The natural and artificial causes of wildfires explained.
Even before the fires started, the National Weather Service had issued its highest alert for extreme fire conditions for much of Los Angeles County. The weather service office in Los Angeles warned Monday that wind gusts could reach 100 mph in some areas this week, prompting “extreme fire behavior” wherever blazes ignited.
“This is a particularly dangerous situation − in other words, this is about as bad as it gets in terms of fire weather,” the weather service office in Los Angeles warned Monday. “Stay aware of your surroundings. Be ready to evacuate, especially if in a high fire risk area. Be careful with fire sources.”
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SOURCE: www.usatoday.com
RELATED: 5 Reasons Why The Los Angeles Wildfires Are The Start Of A New Normal
Emergency workers drive past the Palisades Fire in [+] the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025. A fast-moving wildfire ripped through an affluent neighborhood in Los Angeles, forcing thousands of people to evacuate as the region braced for a brutal wind storm that could last well into the weekend. Photographer: Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg
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FORBES | Published January 9, 2025
The Los Angeles fires, which so far have claimed 5 lives and more than 1000 structures, have been making headlines not just for their intensity, but for what they signify about the future of wildfires in Southern California and beyond. Fire seasons, once confined to a few months of the year, now seem to be a persistent feature of life in many parts of the United States Extreme fire weather conditions are becoming more frequent, with dangerous implications for lives, property, and the environment. Here are five reasons why the Los Angeles county fires represent a disturbing new normal:
1. Increased Elevated Fire Weather Conditions
Extreme fire weather is driven by a combination of high temperatures, dryness, available fuel, and high winds. Southern California has been experiencing these elevated conditions since July, and they have shown no signs of letting up. Historically, fire-prone periods in the region were seasonal, peaking in late summer and early fall. Now, extreme fire weather has extended far beyond its usual window, creating a year-round threat.
These prolonged periods of high-risk conditions mean that any ignition source—whether natural or human-caused—has a greater chance of sparking a large-scale wildfire. With high winds prevalent, these fires can spread rapidly, putting even well-prepared communities at risk.
2. Overlap of Dry Conditions and Wind Events
While high-speed wind events are a familiar feature of Southern California’s climate, what’s different now is the persistent dryness that coincides with these winds. Typically, the region would see rainfall in the fall and early winter, dampening the risk of fire during the windy season. However, this year, dry conditions have continued into January, increasing the likelihood of devastating wildfires.
This overlap of dry conditions and wind events creates a dangerous synergy. Winds can cause fires to advance at astonishing speeds, sometimes as fast as two to three football fields per minute. They can also cause flames to jump highways and other natural firebreaks, making it harder for firefighting efforts to contain the blazes. Max Dugan-Knight, Climate Data Scientist at Deep Sky, said “There is no end to wildfire season in places like Los Angeles anymore.”
3. Hot Summers Followed by Absent Rainy Seasons
Southern California endured an exceptionally hot summer, but unlike past years, it was not followed by the typical fall and early winter rains. This lack of precipitation has left the landscape parched and ready to burn. Compounding the problem is the fact that the region experienced two consecutive years of above-average rainfall prior to this dry spell.
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SOURCE: www.forbes.com
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