Authorities are looking into the reasons behind several wildfires that are damaging homes and prompting mass evacuations in Southern California on Wednesday.

The Palisades Fire began around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday and has burned thousands of acres around the coastal communities of Santa Monica and Malibu. Later that day at 6:30 p.m., the Eaton Fire ignited in Altadena, near Pasadena, quickly growing to over 10,000 acres. By around 10:30 p.m., a smaller fire dubbed the Hurst Fire started in Sylmar, located in the San Fernando Valley to the northwest of downtown Los Angeles, consuming about 500 acres.

Cal Fire is currently investigating the origin of all three fires. However, the high Santa Ana winds are likely contributing to their rapid spread.

“The combination of low humidity, dry vegetation, and variable winds has increased the risk of spot fires and swift expansion,” Cal Fire reported in an update.

Before the fires erupted, the National Weather Service had already issued its highest warning for extreme fire dangers for much of Los Angeles County. On Monday, the agency cautioned that wind gusts could reach 100 mph in specific regions this week, leading to “extreme fire behavior” in areas where fires may flare up.

“This represents a particularly hazardous situation — essentially, the worst conditions imaginable for fire weather,” the National Weather Service in Los Angeles emphasized. “Stay alert and be prepared to evacuate, especially if you live in areas at high risk for fire. Exercise caution around any sources of fire.”

What leads to wildfires?

A wildfire, which is an uncontrolled blaze on open land with vegetation, can be initiated by both natural and artificial sources.

Lightning is the primary natural trigger for wildfires. In elevated regions, lightning can strike dry vegetation, igniting fires that can quickly escalate, especially when influenced by dry winds.

In urban areas bordering wildlands, such as Southern California, it’s common for vehicles to inadvertently spark fires, according to Luca Carmignani, a Fire Advisor from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, in previous statements to YSL News.

“For example, a truck may have a trailer that drags on the road and creates sparks,” Carmignani explained. “Or then there are instances involving catalytic converters, with various ways that vehicles can start fires from road interactions.”

Strong winds can move power lines, potentially creating sparks that can ignite dry materials like grass and vegetation, Carmignani noted. Additionally, unattended campfires are also a frequent human-related cause of wildfires.

Is it currently wildfire season?

Traditionally, wildfire season in California runs from July to late November or early December, a period when the conditions are driest and most conducive to igniting and spreading fires.

Last month, the Franklin Fire in picturesque Malibu was quickly contained while November’s Mountain Fire scorched tens of thousands of acres, damaging and destroying many homes in western Ventura County, marking the third most destructive wildfire in Southern California since at least 2013, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office issued a red flag alert on Tuesday, the first such warning in January since 2021, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.

“In November, December, and now January − there is no longer just a fire season; it’s a fire year. This is year-round,” urged California Governor Gavin Newsom at a press briefing.

Concerns regarding climate change

“Climate change is contributing to the emergence of larger and more severe wildfires in the western United States,” the 2023 National Climate Assessment indicated. Rising temperatures create conditions that intensify fire behavior, the assessment highlighted.

Jon Keeley, a senior research scientist from the U.S. Geological Survey, mentioned that while climate change plays a role, it is not the sole factor driving the increase in large fires.

In California, factors like population growth, increased fire ignitions, and the Santa Ana winds are more significant contributors to wildfires, Keeley stated. He noted that these elements don’t seem to be influenced by climate change at this time and that climate change may be more impactful in the northern part of the state than in the south.