Los Angeles is raging like an inferno
California's greatest wildfire
In Los Angeles during the past week, 100,000 people were forced to pack up and leave their homes due to massive wildfires. These fires might end up being the most expensive in U.S. history, with damages estimated at a staggering $250 billion (that’s billion with a "B," according to AccuWeather). Homes were engulfed in flames, and some residents had to walk miles to escape the inferno. While a few managed to drive, the situation turned dire when fires flared up on both sides of the road. At that point, police officers began shouting, “Out of your cars! Run for it!” It was like a scene straight out of an action movie.
A few residents tiptoed back to their neighborhoods after the flames subsided, only to find their homes reduced to ashes. LA, the home of Hollywood—the land of glitz and glamour where some of the greatest movies are made—did not escape unscathed. This year’s Oscar nominations were delayed (what drama!), and even some celebrity homes were destroyed. Yes, Paris Hilton’s, Mel Gibson’s, and Mandy Moore’s properties were among them. It turns out fire doesn’t discriminate; it’s an equal-opportunity destroyer.
This week’s news story on the lighter side is about the wildfires—the ones everyone’s talking about. Why? Because they’re not happening in some remote corner of Asia or Africa, where, let’s be honest, they’d probably get a three-second mention on page 27. Nope, these flames are right in the heart of LA, tearing through the homes of the rich, famous, and fancy. Naturally, this means it’s headline news for everyone.
This week’s story serves as a stark reminder that climate change isn’t some distant issue; it’s a smoky, ash-filled reality that spares no one—not even the wealthy with their fireproof egos.
Tell me more about wildfires in California
Wildfires are common in California, typically occurring from June to July and sometimes extending into October. However, this year’s blaze has defied the calendar, erupting in January—the coldest month of winter. Wildfires are usually anticipated, and firefighters set up numerous boundaries and preventive measures to ensure the fires don’t spread into large communities and neighborhoods. This preparation is also why summer wildfires often don’t make major headlines.
As a brief primer on the region’s geography: California is located adjacent to a desert. Each year, wildfires in the state are fueled by dry desert air moving from the interior toward the coast. As this air travels through California—rich in vegetation—it draws out moisture, leaving the landscape dry and highly flammable. If a spark is present—perhaps from something as small as a discarded cigarette butt, a vehicle, or an electrical line—these desert winds can transform it into a raging inferno. Along with dry vegetation, Los Angeles has other flammable hazards, such as low-hanging power lines and wooden telephone poles.
Typically, fire services prepare for wildfire season by clearing vegetation and creating firebreaks to prevent the flames from spreading. But the wildfire that began two weeks ago was different.
When did they start?
On Jan 7 2025, wildfires in Los Angeles spread through many neighbourhoods - most prominent amongst them are Eaton and Palisades.
The Palisades Fire was first reported on the morning of Jan. 7. Within 24 hours, the fire had grown to nearly 3,000 acres fueled by gusty winds. By Jan 14, the fire destroyed large structures and whole communities and killed at least eight people. It has became the most destructive wildfire in Los Angeles history.
The Eaton Fire also started around the same time, and has scorched over 14,000 acres of land, laying waste to the historic Altadena neighbourhood and swaths of Pasadena since it started on Jan. 7.
How did these wildfires start in a cold month?
The conditions that led to the fires can be traced back to last year’s weather patterns. In the spring of 2024, Los Angeles experienced substantial rainfall, spurring significant vegetation growth. Plants flourished, turning the city green and lush. Fast forward to October 2024, however, and it was as if nature had hit the "dehydrate" button. A severe drought set in, drying out the once-lush vegetation and turning it into perfect fire fuel. To make matters worse, downtown Los Angeles recorded only 0.16 inches (0.4 cm) of rainfall since October, leaving the region exceptionally dry during the winter of 2024.
So, what was different in January 2025 compared to January 2024? The drought levels in January 2025 were alarmingly high, with about 95% of the region affected. In contrast, January 2024 saw much lower drought levels, with only 40% of the region experiencing drought conditions.
Adding to this combustible scenario was the arrival of the Santa Ana winds—dry, powerful offshore gusts ominously nicknamed "Devil Winds." These winds drastically reduce humidity, suck moisture from the air, and spread flames with astonishing speed, making fire containment efforts extraordinarily challenging.
Is Los Angeles Even Liveable Anymore?
Extreme weather is everywhere, but LA feels like it’s part of the special effects team for a disaster movie. People are beginning to ask: why rebuild if your house might turn into a marshmallow toaster again next year, as wildfires become increasingly common in this part of California?
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to insure homes in these high-risk areas. Picture an insurance agent looking at you and saying, “Sorry, but your fiery neighborhood is just too much drama for us.” When homes can’t be insured against wildfires, the cost of rebuilding year after year becomes prohibitively expensive. This raises a pressing question on many people’s minds: Will Los Angeles slowly wither and eventually turn into a ghost town?
“This change that we have seen in many places in the world is caused by the interaction between human-caused climate change, the history of land management leading to more abundant and more connected fuels, and people moving to the wildland urban interface — in other words —putting themselves in the way of fire.” — Amy Hessl, professor of geology, WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences
According to a study in Nature (fancy science journal alert!), 16% more land has been torched since 2001. Why? Should we blame global warming? Maybe.
When temperatures go up, the atmosphere gets stingier about holding onto water. So, even if there’s plenty of vegetation around, it’s bone-dry and ready to catch fire. This is a perfect recipe for disaster. Climate change is handing wildfires a VIP pass to become way more common.
Why is stopping these wildfires so hard?
Think of it as a giant, fiery game of tag where the fire is "it," and everyone else is way too slow to keep up. Usually, fire services prep for wildfires by clearing out vegetation and making gaps so the flames don’t spread. But when the wind shows up like an over-caffeinated sprinter (the Santa Ana winds this year blew at more than 160 kmph), it tosses sparks everywhere like it’s starting its own firework show. Those sparks can leap over the gaps like they’re training for the Olympics.
And then there’s the geography. LA isn’t flat and friendly—it’s all hills and canyons, which look great in tourist photos but are a nightmare for firefighters. Imagine trying to hike up a steep hill carrying all your gear while flames are barreling toward you. Not fun.
So, between the crazy-fast winds and the rugged terrain, containing these fires is like trying to win a game of dodgeball against a team of fire-breathing dragons. Spoiler: the dragons usually win.
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