While the origin of the wildfires that displaced tens of thousands in California is still unknown, many politicians, residents, and specialists have started pointing fingers in the wake of this disaster.

Experts identified that the fires experienced ideal conditions for severe destruction this week, including dry plant life, strong winds, and low humidity.

Osbee Sangster, who fled the Eaton Fire to the Pasadena Convention Center, expressed criticism towards local officials for their handling of the situation. On Wednesday, she mentioned being “let down by the fire department’s response.” She noted observing fire trucks enforcing evacuations while highlighting the issue of first responders running low on water to combat the flames. “Where was the water?” she questioned.

In the political realm, figures such as President-elect Donald Trump have redirected blame towards California’s leaders, claiming they were unprepared for such fires.

Despite the ongoing investigations, questions linger about the fires’ ignition source. Authorities previously considered the possibility of arson for one fire, but later clarified that the notion against a specific suspect was baseless.

Here’s an overview of what is known regarding the causes of the fires:

The Role of Extreme Weather in Fire Spread

A mix of strong Santa Ana winds reaching up to 100 mph, arid vegetation, and low humidity turned the entire region into a hotspot for severe fire behavior, as forecasters had warned prior to the outbreak of major fires on Tuesday.

Santa Ana winds usually transport dry air from California’s inland deserts and the Southwest towards the coast, according to the National Weather Service. These winds surge over mountains, becoming compressed and heated.

The resultant hot, dry winds dehydrate local vegetation that has already seen minimal rainfall, making it ripe for wildfires. Even a minor ember can be swept away by the winds, rapidly spreading flames with no effective obstacles in sight.

These critical fire weather conditions continued into Friday as firefighters worked to control the blazes, as per the weather service.

Los Angeles’ Geography and its Impact

The regions of the county affected by the fires are mostly located near mountainous areas, which makes them more vulnerable to fire incidents.

Steep hills, canyons, and valleys around the Santa Monica and San Gabriel mountains contribute to the rapidly spreading fires. Since heat rises, it can effectively pre-heat vegetation on inclines, facilitating quick uphill fire spread, as noted by research scientist Jennifer Marlon from Yale University. Furthermore, canyons and valleys can serve as channels for the Santa Ana winds.

Political Blame Game

Trump and his supporters have accused California Governor Gavin Newsom, other Democratic politicians, and environmental groups. The former president has long criticized Newsom’s forestry management strategies, labeling them misleading, according to opponents.

Additionally, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass is facing scrutiny for being abroad on an official trip during the onset of the fires, along with her subsequent actions. On Thursday, she did not respond to questions regarding her absence.

“Please rest assured that  once this is over, and we are safe, along with saving lives and homes, we will conduct an evaluation to identify what worked and what didn’t,” she stated during a press conference.

“Both of them are just utterly incompetent,” Trump remarked regarding Newsom and Bass on Thursday while at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

“The Governor is dedicated to ensuring the safety of individuals instead of engaging in political maneuvers, focusing on providing firefighters with necessary resources,” Izzy Gardon, communications director for Newsom, stated to YSL News.

Water Supply Challenges

One significant hurdle firefighters encountered in tackling the blazes was a lack of water from fire hydrants. On Thursday, President Joe Biden noted that this issue arose because local utility companies “understandably cut off power due to the risk that power lines could fall and ignite further fires.”

“However, this shutdown affected the ability to pump water,” the president explained. He also mentioned that CalFire, the state’s fire prevention agency, was working to bring in generators to restore pumping capabilities.

“There were so many hydrants being utilized simultaneously,” stated California Representative Judy Chu.

Janisse Quiñones, the CEO of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, mentioned that by 3 a.m. on Wednesday, the three water storage tanks in the Palisades area, each holding one million gallons, were “depleted,” which decreased the water flow from hydrants located at higher elevations.

“We pushed the system beyond its limits. We experienced four times the usual demand for a continuous 15 hours, which affected our water pressure,” Quiñones explained. “It was a worst-case scenario, but we need to prepare for such outcomes.”

How is climate change related?

Experts assert that wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change driven by human activities leading to rising temperatures.

The National Climate Assessment has indicated that “climate change is causing larger and more intense wildfires in the western United States,” noting that these fires present considerable public health, socioeconomic, and ecological challenges for the country.

In California, while the Santa Ana winds and dry conditions are typical, climate change is causing the fire season to begin earlier and last longer, as per CalFire. Prolonged and intensified dry seasons make forests increasingly vulnerable to severe wildfires.

“November, December, and now January — we no longer have a fire season; it’s effectively a fire year,” Governor Gavin Newsom remarked earlier this week. “Fires are happening year-round.”