Los Angeles has experienced a devastating firestorm that has caused an estimated $57 billion in damage, killing at least ten people and burning over 27,000 acres. The conditions for this year’s firestorm are unique, as it is the first time such a wildfire has occurred in the United States since 2015. One of the fires 🔥 is known as the Kenneth Fire
Climate change has caused almost a decade of drought in southern California, ending two years ago. The 2024 winter has been very dry, with only 0.3 inches of rain since May, and a third of the state is in drought. Sixteen million Southern Californians are under a “red flag” warning, making conditions ideal for wildfires.
The Santa Ana winds reached 80-100mph, making the fires unpredictable and hard to fight. Insurance companies have been fleeing California since 2018, after fires wiped out 25 years of profits. State Farm dropped 70% of its customers in the Pacific Palisades, the area worst hit by the fires, last year. Allstate is refusing new customers, while the state has an insurer of last resort, the Fair Plan, which nearly doubled its policy count between 2018 and 2021.
Climate refugees have also been affected, with over three million Americans moving due to flooding and other extreme weather in the past 20 years. The 23,000 Californians who arrived in North Carolina between 2021 and 2022 might have lowered their exposure to heat, but then came Hurricane Helene in 2024. John Vaillant, author of Fire Weather, advises staying in the place that means the most to you and finding ways to harden it.
Landmarks of Hollywood history have also been destroyed, including Palisades Charter High School, Topanga Ranch Motel, Sunset Boulevard, and the Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Bowl, Universal Studios, and Dolby Theatre all closed or under evacuation orders.
Oscar-winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins’ home is among the thousands destroyed in the Los Angeles fires, it has been reported.
