What’s contributing to the current California wildfires

In the last few weeks, Southern California has experienced many wildfires including the destructive Palisades and Eaton fires.

While we don’t know what sparked the initial flame, there are many important things to keep in mind when thinking about these Los Angeles fires. Here are just a few points to know.

The Santa Ana winds are a weather phenomenon that occurs during the winter in Southern California. They are strong, dry winds that come from the deserts of Nevada and Utah that can reach speeds of up to 80 mph.

Wildfire season and the windy season don’t typically overlap in Southern California, but when it does, it’s a recipe for disaster and that’s what is happening now. The Santa Ana winds are causing the fires to spread at such rapid rates that they are nearly impossible for firefighters to contain.

Another thing to keep in mind is that California forests are overgrown and dry. This is another reason why the Palisades and Eaton fires, along with California wildfires in general, have grown so large, because they have plenty of fuel.

Today, firefighters realize the importance of certain forest management tools, like prescribed burns, to help clean up forests and make them resilient to these sorts of megafires. However, bureaucratic red tape can make it challenging for prescribed burns to occur.

The Palisades and Eaton fires highlight the need for legislation that will help ensure that our nation’s forests can be properly cared for. To right the forest management wrongs of the last century, tools like prescribed burns are incredibly important. However, statutes like the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Air Act, make it difficult to perform prescribed burns and manage forests. Congress should consider reforms to these laws like those outlined by Clark et al., 2024.

Fire is natural, and essential in California and across the west. Institutions should be set up so that firefighters can serve their role in the forest management community without unnecessary regulations.