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Why are wildfires becoming more devastating worldwide?

By Sam K Nkurunziza
On 13 January 2025 at 05:07

In California, tragedy has struck with close to 30 lives lost, properties destroyed, and countless residents left destitute following a series of devastating wildfires that recently ravaged Los Angeles, the state’s largest city.

A week ago, these infernos ignited in various parts of Los Angeles, starting in its northern regions. The U.S. National Weather Service had issued prior warnings, alerting residents to the impending danger that was expected to peak at 10 a.m. on January 6, 2024.

At that exact time, the fire began in the Palisades, a Los Angeles suburb. Initially small, the blaze rapidly escalated, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions, consuming homes, vegetation, vehicles, and other assets.

The destruction has been catastrophic, with damages valued between $52 billion and $57 billion, making it the worst wildfire in Los Angeles’ history. Zephany Nsengumuremyi, an Environmental Health Expert based in Kigali, shares views on why wildfires are becoming more devastating worldwide.

“Wildfires today are a dangerous mix of climate change, urbanization, and human activities. As temperatures rise and vegetation dries out, the smallest spark can ignite a massive blaze,” he says. The exact cause of the Los Angeles fire remains unclear, with speculations ranging from lightning strikes to electrical faults or discarded cigarette butts.

Nsengumuremyi says that while natural events like lightning can start wildfires, human activity remains a major driver. Careless actions, coupled with poorly managed ecosystems, set the stage for such disasters.

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles highlight the escalating impact of climate change. Prolonged dry spells, erratic winds, and heavy rains that spur vegetation growth (only for it to dry out later,) create ideal conditions for wildfires.

“Climate change is altering weather patterns in ways we can no longer ignore. Events like the Santa Ana winds, which reached speeds of 129 kilometers per hour during this disaster, turn fires into unstoppable infernos,” Nsengumuremyi explained.

Such winds are not unique to California. Globally, erratic wind patterns have contributed to wildfires and other natural disasters, causing significant structural damage and threatening ecosystems.

Available data indicates that wildfires can burn as much as 1,704 hectares in a single day, or 2.3 million hectares annually. These staggering figures raise concerns about the sustainability of living in high-risk areas prone to such disasters.

Urbanization has also played a significant role for example, California’s haphazard development has disrupted ecosystems and increased the vulnerability of many areas to wildfires.

“When cities expand into forests or grasslands without proper planning, they create a collision course with nature. The result is more frequent and severe wildfires,” Nsengumuremyi noted.

The toll of these disasters extends beyond physical destruction. Insurance companies face mounting losses as they compensate for damages, and even advanced technologies like surveillance cameras have proven insufficient in preventing such tragedies.

While technology is a valuable tool, it cannot replace proactive measures such as building fire-resistant infrastructure and managing land use responsibly. Experts recommend various strategies to mitigate wildfire risks, including constructing homes with fire-resistant materials and ensuring communities are not situated too close to forests

Leaders are urged to establish clear and effective emergency protocols to protect lives and property during such disasters. “Preparedness and prevention are the keys to reducing the impact of wildfires. Governments must prioritize education and policies that address both human activities and climate change,” Nsengumuremyi advised.

The recent wildfires in California rekindle memories of other devastating events, including those in Chile and Greece in 2024 and Canada and the UK in 2023. These tragedies underscore the urgent need for global action.

As these disasters grow more frequent and intense, humanity’s resilience is being tested like never before. The world is at a critical juncture and the respond to these challenges will determine the future of the planet and the safety of generations to come.

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles highlight the escalating impact of climate change.

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