Explainer: Natural or man-made? What's behind the deadly Los Angeles wildfires

UPDATED: Jan 14, 2025 00:13 IST

The rest of America and the world is watching in shock as deadly wildfires are ravaging through Los Angeles, leaving behind a trail of destruction, broken homes and at least two dozen people dead.

Thousands of people, rich and poor, have been displaced in what is being seen as one of the worst wildfires witnessed by California.

As the fires continue to rage, authorities are now investigating the cause behind the calamity.

While no definitive answers have emerged yet, experts believe a combination of natural and man-made factors could be behind the wildfires.

Here are some of the reasons:

Strong winds, exceptional dryness

The fires, including the massive Palisades and Eaton blazes, began last Tuesday and have scorched over 62 square miles of land, fuelled by strong Santa Ana winds.

The winds, which can gust up to 50 mph, are notorious for making wildfires even more dangerous. The dry conditions across California, exacerbated by a lack of significant rainfall, have made the region a tinderbox. Since October, downtown Los Angeles has received only 0.16 inches of rain, leaving vegetation extremely dry and highly flammable.

Climate change

While Santa Ana winds and dry conditions have surely contributed to the fires’ ferocity, experts are also pointing to climate change as a key factor.

The Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has warned that increased heat, prolonged drought and a "thirsty atmosphere" have raised the risk of such wildfires.

California, which has faced a prolonged drought, is particularly vulnerable to them.

The cyclical nature of wet years followed by dry spells has created an abundance of dry vegetation, ready to fuel the flames when conditions turn harsh.

Lightning ruled out

A common culprit for fires in the US, lightning has been ruled out for both the Palisades and Eaton fires as there were no lightning reports in those areas when the fires broke out.

Arson and utility lines, the next most frequent causes of wildfires, have not been officially cited as factors, though authorities are keeping all possibilities on the table.

How prepared was LA?

Not much, it seems.

The timing of these fires has sparked an intense debate about the region’s preparedness to such calamities.

Los Angeles has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis, particularly regarding water shortages.

A report emerged that some fire crews’ hoses ran dry, and officials revealed that the Santa Ynez Reservoir was closed for maintenance, leaving it empty when the fires started.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for an independent investigation into the water issues, which may have impaired the ability of firefighters to protect homes and evacuation routes.

In addition to the immediate physical challenges, the city’s ability to respond to these fires has also been hampered by funding shortfalls.

Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley noted that budget cuts had affected the department’s readiness, especially in terms of training and resources. Despite this, she emphasized that even with more resources, the scale of the fires may have been too much to contain given the extreme conditions.

The fires have not only destroyed homes and landmarks but have also decimated cultural sites, including places of worship, and hit communities historically affected by discrimination.

Residents in Altadena, for example, lost homes in a neighbourhood that has long served as a refuge for generations of Black families.

While authorities continue to battle the flames, the long-term impact of these fires is becoming clear. Early damage estimates suggest that this could be the costliest wildfire event in US history, with losses projected between $135 billion and $150 billion.