Wildfires rage across Los Angeles County: Why are California wildfires getting worse every year?

Southern California is grappling with six active wildfires in Los Angeles County, leaving devastation in their wake. As of Jan. 8, the fires have claimed at least five lives, destroyed over 1,100 homes, and forced the temporary closure of popular attractions such as Universal Studios Hollywood. President Joe Biden has canceled his planned Jan. 9-12 trip to Italy to oversee the federal government's response to the wildfires.

Six fires in Los Angeles County remain uncontrolled

Among the six wildfires, the Palisades Firehas emerged as the most devastating in Los Angeles County history, scorching over 15,800 acres (63.94 square kilometers) and destroying at least 1,000 structures. Meanwhile, the Eaton Fire, located north of Pasadena, has burned more than 10,000 acres (40.47 square kilometers) and threatened 13,000 buildings, forcing residents to flee.

Other active fires include:

• Hurst Fire: 850 acres burned
• Lidia Fire: 80 acres burned
• Woodley Fire: 30 acres burned
• Sunset Fire: 20 acres burned

The Los Angeles Unified School District has announced the closure of all schools on Jan. 9 due to the hazardous conditions. Strong winds, with gusts reaching up to 160 km/h, are expected to persist for several days, making firefighting efforts increasingly difficult.

Why are California wildfires getting worse every year?

As of Jan. 6, California had already recorded 35 wildfires in just the first six days of the year, an alarming start to 2025. Experts point to several factors exacerbating the frequency and intensity of wildfires:

1. Climate change: Warmer, drier winters followed by hotter summers create a year-round fire season. Drought conditions spanning two decades, coupled with unusually wet years fostering excessive vegetation growth, provide ample fuel for fires.
2. Santa Ana winds: These dry, powerful seasonal winds in Southern California, often referred to as "Devil Winds," blow from inland deserts to the Pacific coast during autumn and winter, with speeds reaching 80-120 km/h. The low humidity levels (below 10%) make these winds a key driver of wildfire spread.
3. Human factors: Arson, urban expansion into wildfire-prone areas, outdated electrical infrastructure, and dense power line networks are also significant contributors to California's wildfire crisis.

Linden Pronto, a forest expert from the European Forest Institute, noted that while wildfires are not uncommon in California, the scale and timing of these fires are unusual. January, typically a low-risk month, has seen increasingly severe wildfires due to climate change. Since the 1980s, flammable vegetation in California has doubled, extending fire seasons and increasing the risk of extreme fires even in historically less active months like December and January, he said.

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