California Wildfires: The result of Human Actions and a Warming Planet
The recent California wildfires have caused at least 28 deaths and $50 billion of economic loss.
Starting on January 7, 2025, destructive wildfires have expanded throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area and the surrounding regions. The spread of the fires was accelerated by the abundance of dry, young vegetation and strong Santa Ana winds, which had reached speeds of up to 100 mph. According to Los Angeles County officials, there have been at least 28 deaths due to the fires. The fires have also contributed to a tremendous amount of damage, destroying entire neighborhoods and leaving people homeless, which have led to evacuations. According to JP Morgan, the estimated total economic losses could reach $50 billion. The exact cause of these wildfires is not determined, but the combination of drought-like conditions and powerful offshore winds is the most plausible case.
However, it is imperative to recognize the impact of human activity on wildfires. Numerous activities, such as unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, and arson, are considered to be major contributors to ignition. Research also suggests that human activity is responsible for 97% of wildfires that threaten homes in the United States. The substantial amount of evidence available points to the conclusion that human negligence is the predominant factor in wildfires.
Moreover, human activity is the major contributor in climate change that leads to the ideal conditions for where a wildfire would begin, including more extended drought periods, higher temperatures, and drier vegetation, all of which have been and are currently occurring in California.
It is crucial to acknowledge the human activity aspect in wildfires that leave a tremendous negative impact not only on the neighboring community but on air pollution, loss of wildlife habitat, and increased health risks, especially in the California wildfires, which are a clear symbol of the impacts that humans have made on the earth as a whole.
Sources:
https://www.mdpi.com/2571-6255/3/3/50
https://www.dryad.net/post/how-do-wildfires-start#viewer-681vq
photo courtesy of Noah Berger/AP/Shutterstock