Paradise Lost: How did the Los Angeles Fires Become such a Tragedy?

The Los Angeles wildfires have decimated an area of land almost the size of Washington DC. How did it get so bad?

By Alicia Szczesniak

A map showing the approximate size of the Palisades and Eaton wildfires

Los Angeles: a beacon of opportunity and a city where scenic beauty meets life in the fast lane. But, that urban paradise is burning. While wildfires are nothing new for California, seven wildfires have torn through Los Angeles in just nine days, killing 27 people, burning over 60 square miles and destroying thousands of homes. The worst of them are the Palisades and Eaton fires, which have swept through Malibu, the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre. But, how did these fires start, and how did they get so bad?

The truth is, the sources of the fires are still being investigated. The Palisades fire’s source is allegedly near the Skull Rock Trail, a hiking area in Topanga State Park, which sits directly next to the Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Many have speculated that the fire was ignited from a different fire that was ignited on New Year’s Day, but was quickly put out. However, embers from an extinguished fire can reignite, even days later, when pushed by wind. That being said, it is possible that the fire may have been man-made, as the area is often very busy with foot traffic.

As for the Eaton fire, investigators are pointing towards an electrical transmission tower above Eaton Canyon as a possible source. However, Southern California Edison, the company that owns the tower, has stated that they do not believe that the fire started from it. At the time of writing, the source of the fire is still unconfirmed, and other possibilities are still being investigated

So, while the sources of the fires have not been pinpointed, the reason the fires spread so fast can be explained. 

Los Angeles is a very dry area. The city receives about 14.82 inches of rain on average, which is significantly less than the national average of just under 30 inches. Fire is very likely to catch in dry areas, as less moisture is present to extinguish a fire that is set as well as prevent one from starting. 

This is only exacerbated by the La Niña weather event occurring in the Pacific Ocean. La Niña is marked by the cooling of sea temperatures and strengthening of trade winds, ultimately changing weather patterns throughout the North and South American continents. For the United States, this means changes in temperature and precipitation. For the Pacific Northwest, this means below average temperatures and increased precipitation. The Midwest also receives more precipitation, but has temperatures closer to average. The South, on the other hand, sees low precipitation and high temperatures. Finally, the already-dry Southwest receives less precipitation, drying out the landscapes and turning the region into a tinderbox waiting to ignite. 

The wildfires are also exacerbated by Santa Ana Winds. They are formed from the deserts east of the mountains, which obviously get colder in winter months. However, the air stays warm for areas west of the mountains, such as Los Angeles, due to the ocean’s moderating effect on the temperature. Warm air is less dense than cold air, and begins to rise. As a result, cold air rushes in to take its place, generating wind. This wind moves from the mountains down towards the Pacific Ocean, meaning that any embers from the fires are pushed towards Los Angeles. 

The wind and the dry environment have also made the fires difficult to contain. According to a post on X (Twitter) from Gov. Gavin Newsom, the Palisades fire is 22% contained. Another post stated that the Eaton fire is 55% contained. 

Another reason the fires are difficult to contain is due to the sheer lack of water in Southern California. Water shortages are nothing new for Los Angeles, as the city has been struggling with them for a while. However, the fires have further depleted the already-scarce water supply. After all, the main way to extinguish city fires is with fire hoses connected to fire hydrants and pump trucks. As a result, some of the fire hydrants in the Palisades neighborhood did not produce any water. 

However, officials are confident that an increase in wind from the ocean will cause an increase in humidity in the coming days, which will provide them a window of opportunity to further contain the fires. Unfortunately, drier conditions will return shortly after, increasing the possibility of further destruction. Ultimately, only time will tell how much more damage will be caused by the wildfires.

The Lynx Rufus stands with the people of California. If you would like to help, you can do so by donating to the California Community Foundation.

Wanna chat? Email Alicia at as589820@ohio.edu or follow her on instagram at @alicia_szcz