On Tuesday morning, live webcams captured how a small backyard spark, which started as grey smoke, quickly grew into a destructive wildfire. Within minutes, the smoke turned into thick clouds, and flames began consuming dry plants and bushes.
LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley described the fire as “spreading at a speed beyond anything we’ve seen… unlike anything in our lifetime.” The fire’s rapid spread is making it extremely difficult to control, especially with the current weather conditions.
So far, about 179,783 residents in Los Angeles County have been ordered to evacuate, with another 200,000 under evacuation warnings, according to a BBC report. Tragically, at least five people have died, and dozens are injured.
The Palisades wildfire, the largest of the fires in southern LA, has already destroyed thousands of homes, businesses, and other structures. There are currently five active fires burning in Los Angeles.
Last summer, podcaster Joe Rogan shared a conversation with an LA firefighter on his show. The firefighter warned that if the wind and fire aligned just right, “it’s gonna burn through LA all the way to the ocean.” Unfortunately, this prediction has now come true.
Experts believe that climate change is a major factor in the spread of wildfires, particularly in January. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration pointed out that increased heat, extended drought, and a dry atmosphere have made wildfires more likely and severe in the western U.S.
Additionally, El Niño’s heavy rains last year led to significant vegetation growth in the Los Angeles area. This vegetation has since dried out, becoming highly flammable. Once the wildfire began, Santa Ana winds—dry, warm gusts blowing inland—made the situation worse, pushing the fire further and faster than usual.
As Los Angeles battles these fires, it’s clear that a combination of weather conditions, climate change, and natural factors have created a challenging and dangerous situation for residents and firefighters alike.
