The authorities in the US have not been able to pinpoint what set off this wildfire, but according to some reports, power cables blowing through the wind could be one reason. The other factors involve weather and climate change.
At least five people have died, and over 1,000 buildings have been destroyed as powerful wildfires swept through the Los Angeles area. The fast-moving flames ravaged homes and businesses, forcing residents to flee from their 'upscale' neighborhoods and among those affected also include celebrities like Paris Hilton, Adam Brody, and Billy Crystal.
The fires that are still burning are the Palisades, Eaton, Sunset, Hurst, and Lidia fires and the famous Hollywood Hills.
AccuWeather has estimated preliminary damages and economic losses to be between $52 billion (4.26 trillion INR) and $57 billion (4.67 trillion INR).
California is witnessing one of the most destructive wildfires in its history and the news reports and scientists believe that the sequence of weather, strong winds and climate change are the major reasons behind this level of destruction.
An estimated 1,000 structures have been destroyed in the hilly coastal neighborhood of Pacific Palisades, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
The wreckage surpassed that of the Sayre Fire of November 2008, which destroyed 604 structures in Sylmar, the northernmost suburb of the city, according to statistics kept by the Wildfire Alliance, a partnership between the city's fire department and MySafe:LA.
The fire destroyed the public library, two major grocery stores, a pair of banks and several boutiques in Palisades Village.
Residents rushing to escape created a traffic jam, blocking emergency vehicles from getting through. Crews used a bulldozer to push the abandoned cars off to the side. Photos depict what some residents describe as an apocalyptic scene.
Farther inland, the Eaton Fire north of Pasadena burned between 200 and 500 structures, substantially damaged five school campuses in Altadena and scorched more than 16.5 square miles (43 square kilometers). Employees at a senior center pushed dozens of residents in wheelchairs and hospital beds to a parking lot to escape.
The Hurst Fire, which started about 10:30 pm on January 7, prompted evacuations in Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley and grew to one square mile (2.6 square kilometers).
Late January 8, another blaze broke out in the Hollywood Hills.
At least 100,000 people were ordered to evacuate - a number that kept changing because evacuation orders were continually being issued.
The authorities in US have not been able to pin point the reason behind this wildfire and what triggered it but according to some reports power cables blowing through wind could be one reason.
The other factors involve weather and climate change.
The last two winters, in 2022 and 2023, were unusually wet for the Los Angeles area, causing many trees and shrubs to grow. However, this winter has been extremely dry for Southern California, leaving all that vegetation dried out and further ignited the flames.
Daniel Swain, climate scientist for the California Institute for Water Resources was quoted by saying, "There is a clear link between climate change and the more frequent dry falls and winters that provide fuel for fires."
Santa Ana winds, common in California during this season, are unusually strong this year, fueling the rapid spread of wildfires. From October to January, high pressure builds in the Great Basin deserts, circulating clockwise.
This system brings wind toward the coast, in contrast to the usual inland flow. As the wind descends over the Sierra Nevada and Santa Ana mountains, it loses humidity, heats up, and gains speed through mountain passes.
By the time it reaches southern California, it is fast, dry, and warm. This strong, dry wind is blowing flames across Los Angeles, igniting the dry vegetation, power cables, and wooden houses designed to withstand earthquakes.
The combination of dry conditions, strong winds, and highly flammable surroundings has led to intense and fast-moving fires.
According to , "changes in climate create warmer, drier conditions, leading to longer and more active fire seasons. Increases in temperatures and the thirst of the atmosphere due to human--caused climate change have increased aridity of forest fuels during the fire season."
The report also explained that wildfires happen when certain conditions come together, like high temperatures, low humidity, and dry plants like trees, shrubs, and grass. These conditions are closely linked to changes in the climate, both in the short term and over time.