The fires in Los Angeles were terrible. Why was this fire so devastating, and what can we do to avoid future massive fires like this? Science tells us about the connection of these fires to climate change. Fires like the one in LA emerge through a sequence of climatic events:

• The cycle typically begins with periods of significant rainfall, which promotes vegetation growth: in Los Angeles, they had an incredibly wet 2023-2024 winter.

• Prolonged dry conditions and elevated temperatures dry the accumulated vegetation creating fuel for a wildfire: in Los Angeles, they had an incredibly dry and hot summer 2024, and basically no rain since.

• Finally, a spark and strong winds spread the resulting fire: Santa Ana winds spread the fire, and made it basically impossible to fight.

Climate change makes rainfall more variable with bigger swings from wet to dry extremes. We can expect conditions like these to recur in California.

Santa Clara County Fire Department has suggestions on how to prepare for wildfires by creating a defensible space around home, fire hardening you home, and creating a wildfire action plan before a fire starts. Details are on their website. Plan ahead and work with your neighbors to make your whole neighborhood defensible.