Flames to Recovery: The Battle to Combat California’s Wildfire Crisis

By: Sonia Aybar, Class IV

Photo Credit: Pixabay

On January 7th, intense wildfires sparked throughout Southern California, burning large amounts of land and causing widespread evacuations. These fires, which have ignited in many different locations throughout the region, such as Eaton and the Palisades, have spread rapidly due to a series of climate related factors. Firstly, Southern California has been undergoing drought-like conditions, “receiving less than 10% of average rainfall since October 1st,” according to the National Weather Service. Low rainfall paired with record high temperatures and the strong Santa Ana winds, – 60 to 70 mph in mountainous regions – which fueled the flames, made containment efforts even more difficult. As a result, the County of Los Angeles Fire Department (LACoFD) has put into effect its increased staffing plan to more effectively contain the fires. 

Leading Causes: What Causes These Fires to Ignite

Southern California’s wildfires are being powered by a combination of natural and human-made factors. Natural causes including warmer temperatures, reduced precipitation, and a disappointing rainfall season have dried out California's landscapes and increased the likelihood of rapid fire spread. Due to the state experiencing below average rainfall, and as a result less moisture in the soil, vegetation has the potential to become fuel for fires. These issues – worsened by climate change, according to UCLA Scientist Daniel Swain – mean that even the slightest spark can cause a fire to start. 

Another major factor is the extreme Santa Ana winds, gusting up to 100mph in some regions quickly spreading embers. These hot, dry winds not only spread the embers across far distances but also reduce humidity levels to as low as 5%, increasing the vegitation’s flammability. With these intense winds, embers can travel miles ahead of the fire, further complicating control efforts.

However, human activity also plays a significant role. Historically, incidents concerning smoking, intentional arson, and unattended campfires have started roughly 84% of all U.S. wildfires, stated Jennifer Balch. Recently, some major wildfires have been sparked by electrical infrastructure failures, such as downed power lines coming into contact with dry vegetation. As urban areas continue to expand into fire prone regions, the likelihood of human-caused fires increases. Once a fire ignites, it can spread quickly and rapidly spiral out of control, making them incredibly terrifying.

Impact on Communities

The wildfires in Southern California have had a severe impact on communities, resulting in mass evacuations, homes being lost, and long-term health concerns. As of January 16th, 82,400 residents were under evacuation orders, and an additional 90,400 residents were under evacuation warnings. Moreover, since the beginning of the fires,  there have been over 27 confirmed deaths and 12,000 structures burned, ranking among the most devastating in Los Angeles history.

Isabela Ramirez, a Class IV discip, has shared that when the wildfires hit California last month, her uncle had no choice but to leave for more than five days. “This had a heavy emotional impact on him since he was living in fear of losing his home. Luckily, his home wasn’t affected, but the emotional effects still linger after having to witness these intense fires.” Accounts like this highlight the psychological toll wildfires take on citizens, even if their homes survive. 

In addition to physical destruction, health concerns will persist even after the fires are extinguished. As explained by Tayla Meyers, smoke exposure can lead to and worsen serious respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Bacteria and harmful chemicals may appear in a community’s water supply for extended periods of time. Health care providers also find a decline in physical health after natural disasters due to people struggling with access to prescription medication.

Current and Possible Future Recovery Efforts

Efforts to tackle the ongoing wildfires in Southern California involve both immediate response actions and long-term prevention strategies. According to the California Wildfire and Forest Resistance Task Force, AL FIRE and Cal OES are utilizing aerial surveillance, real-time intelligence, and increased resources to enhance containment efforts. Initiatives such as FIRIS assist in monitoring the spread of fires, while additional personnel and equipment support firefighting operations. To assist displaced residents, disaster recovery centers, and expedited rebuilding, permits are being implemented. Governor Newsom’s executive orders are designed to simplify the rebuilding process and curb price gouging. In an effort to mitigate future wildfires, CAL FIRE has boosted funding for defensible space initiatives, measures for reducing home vulnerability, and prescribed burns. Additionally, the state is partnering with NASA and the US Geological Survey is using advanced remote sensing technology to improve wildfire forecasting.