On January 9, 2025 Two major fires have ravaged Los Angeles, CA and at least 27 people have died. Since the fires began, more than 170,000 people have been evacuated (CNN). Firefighters have made progress in keeping the two fires in control and maintaining them.
These fires have officially been named “Palisades” and “Eaton”. They have taken over Los Angeles at a quick pace due to the Santa Ana winds. According to Forecaster Luke Stone, typical air moves onshore from the Pacific and brings moist, cool air, unlike the Santa Ana winds, which are winds that move in the opposite direction of normal winds and are very warm.
The Santa Ana winds not only cause a definite temperature change, but they also decrease the humidity in the area and cause extreme high-strength winds.
The Santa Ana winds combined with an extreme drought (as L.A. has received only 16 inches of rain since May 2024), along with the hottest summer in the last 130 years, this makes the conditions perfect for wildfire.
Although officials and investigators are not entirely sure what started the fires, they have ideas. Possibilities include an electrical grid error, lightning, and a downed powerline found near where one of the fires originally started.
The winds are finally starting to lighten, but Los Angeles isn’t out of it yet. Forecasts expect another storm of these winds early next week.
As of now, firefighters have stopped the spread of Palisades and Eaton and are dealing with hazards and the potential for fire to continue spreading. They’ve burned up to forty-thousand acres of land, more than 12,000 homes and businesses. Our hearts go out to everyone affected by these fires.
