At this point in time, we are watching history unfold before our very eyes. First
with COVID-19, then the Ukraine war, and now the Los Angeles Fires, with countless
events in between. But what caused the LA Fires that are still spreading and slowly
taking over the city? What dangers do the fires entail for the citizens of LA? And, most
importantly, how could this tragic event have been prevented?
The precise cause of the wildfires are still unknown. There are many theories,
consisting of lightning strikes and California’s recent drought. However, experts have
eliminated the possibility of lightning causing the fire due to the lack of storms near the
area. California had recently risen out of a decade-long drought that left the land dry
and vulnerable. Because of this, it is concluded that the fires started because of the
harsh and dry conditions surrounding Los Angeles. Many also blame climate change to
be a factor. Although the world is slowly warming up, climate change cannot possibly be
the only factor of the tragic fire.
with COVID-19, then the Ukraine war, and now the Los Angeles Fires, with countless
events in between. But what caused the LA Fires that are still spreading and slowly
taking over the city? What dangers do the fires entail for the citizens of LA? And, most
importantly, how could this tragic event have been prevented?
The precise cause of the wildfires are still unknown. There are many theories,
consisting of lightning strikes and California’s recent drought. However, experts have
eliminated the possibility of lightning causing the fire due to the lack of storms near the
area. California had recently risen out of a decade-long drought that left the land dry
and vulnerable. Because of this, it is concluded that the fires started because of the
harsh and dry conditions surrounding Los Angeles. Many also blame climate change to
be a factor. Although the world is slowly warming up, climate change cannot possibly be
the only factor of the tragic fire.
Regardless of the cause, a fire of this magnitude could have been prevented
through the expert care of firefighters, first responders, and government officials.
However, that was not the case for Los Angeles. Shortly before the fires began,
California decided to take out nearly $20 million out of their budget for fire prevention
and care. Even though California is known for being on fire frequently, the cut was still
made. Because of this, fire hydrants no longer produce the water needed to kill the fires,
and the Santa Ynez Reservoir was found empty. With the lack of both money and
water, the fires in LA live on.
through the expert care of firefighters, first responders, and government officials.
However, that was not the case for Los Angeles. Shortly before the fires began,
California decided to take out nearly $20 million out of their budget for fire prevention
and care. Even though California is known for being on fire frequently, the cut was still
made. Because of this, fire hydrants no longer produce the water needed to kill the fires,
and the Santa Ynez Reservoir was found empty. With the lack of both money and
water, the fires in LA live on.
There have been about four different fires discovered in Los Angeles, the two
biggest being the Palisades and the Eaton fires. The Palisades Fire has burned through
about 23,000 acres of land and has destroyed nearly 12,000 structures including
buildings, parks, schools, etc. The Eaton Fire is proven to be the most deadly, killing 16
people. Overall, at this time, the combined fires have killed 26 people and have
destroyed countless buildings. Firefighters have been able to secure a perimeter around
14% of the fires, which is very little but still some progress.
biggest being the Palisades and the Eaton fires. The Palisades Fire has burned through
about 23,000 acres of land and has destroyed nearly 12,000 structures including
buildings, parks, schools, etc. The Eaton Fire is proven to be the most deadly, killing 16
people. Overall, at this time, the combined fires have killed 26 people and have
destroyed countless buildings. Firefighters have been able to secure a perimeter around
14% of the fires, which is very little but still some progress.
So, who is to blame for allowing this tragic event to occur? While Californians
watch their city burn, they turn to blame the Los Angeles Mayor, Karen Bass. Shortly
after the devastating fires began, Bass was nowhere to be seen. In fact, she was in
Ghana during the incident. That, along with cutting around $20 million out of the
firefighter’s budget, has not helped her popularity. The fire department has also faced
some backlash for how they prepared for the fire. However, firefighters and first
responders are amazing people who risk their lives every day to protect others from
natural disasters. That being said, more attention on California’s climate change and
decade-long drought could have prevented the displacement of countless people.
after the devastating fires began, Bass was nowhere to be seen. In fact, she was in
Ghana during the incident. That, along with cutting around $20 million out of the
firefighter’s budget, has not helped her popularity. The fire department has also faced
some backlash for how they prepared for the fire. However, firefighters and first
responders are amazing people who risk their lives every day to protect others from
natural disasters. That being said, more attention on California’s climate change and
decade-long drought could have prevented the displacement of countless people.
The situation Los Angeles finds itself in may seem hopeless to some, but not to
all. Countless volunteers and organizations have stepped up to help those who have
been afflicted by the Palisades and the Eaton fires. Churches are being offered for
shelter, organizations are cooking free meals, and people are making small and large
donations around the world to help those in need. Even though the situation is dire,
people everywhere are stepping up to help.
all. Countless volunteers and organizations have stepped up to help those who have
been afflicted by the Palisades and the Eaton fires. Churches are being offered for
shelter, organizations are cooking free meals, and people are making small and large
donations around the world to help those in need. Even though the situation is dire,
people everywhere are stepping up to help.
Tragic circumstances invoke the best and the worst in people. Although the fire
still burns the city, people are working together to stop it. Hopefully something will be
done and a lesson will be learned to prevent this horrible thing from happening again.
still burns the city, people are working together to stop it. Hopefully something will be
done and a lesson will be learned to prevent this horrible thing from happening again.
