WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES: A prolonged dry spell combined with strong winds has created the "perfect conditions" for Los Angeles wildfires to rage out of control, even though experts say it's too soon to pinpoint exactly how much climate crisis contributed.
At the same time, perennial debates over suburban sprawl and forest management are intensifying, spurred by political mudslinging from incoming President Donald Trump and his close ally Elon Musk.
"We see these fires spread when it is hot and dry and windy, and right now all of those conditions are in place in southern California," Kristina Dahl, vice president for science at Climate Central, told AFP.
"The clearest climate signal for those three conditions is with the temperature," she added. While it's not yet known what started the blazes, "human-caused climate crisis is intensifying the heat that drives wildfires, increasing temperatures in southern California up to two-degrees Celsius since 1895," Patrick Gonzalez, a climate change scientist at the University of California, Berkeley told AFP.
'Widening' fire season
Although wildfire activity can vary greatly from year to year, short-term extreme weather conditions helped create the "perfect conditions" for the recent blazes, said wildfire scientist Maria Lucia Ferreira Barbosa of the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.
Last year's El Nino weather system brought heavy rains that fuelled excessive vegetation growth in the first half of 2024.
But the second half of the year was marked by drought across southern California, setting the stage for what scientists call "precipitation whiplash", another potential hallmark of climate crisis that turned the region into a tinderbox.
Esta historia es de la edición January 10, 2025 de Hindustan Times Bengaluru.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición January 10, 2025 de Hindustan Times Bengaluru.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
We Don't Have Tons Of Triumphant Movies For Latino Families
Singer-actor Jennifer Lopez, as a Latina, is \"honored\" to share the story of Judy Robles, the mother of wrestler Anthony Robles, who defied the odds, in the recently released biographical sports drama Unstoppable.
Matt Reeves weighs in on The Batman joining DC Universe
Director Matt Reeves believes Robert Pattinson's The Batman could join James Gunn's DC Universe—if it fits creatively.
Jacob Elordi May Replace Paul Mescal in Ridley Scott's The Dog Stars
Jacob Elordi, known for his role in Euphoria, is in talks to replace Paul Mescal in Ridley Scott's upcoming post-apocalyptic thriller, The Dog Stars.
Digital Arrest Scams: All You Need To Know
Every day, we hear about digital scams and fraudulent calls leading to significant financial losses, often targeting vulnerable individuals.
Spread some winter 'warmth' for your furry babies!
There has been a chill in the air over the past few days in the state.
Sonu Sood slashes Fateh ticket prices to ₹99 for opening day
In a generous move, actor Sonu Sood has announced that the opening day tickets for his film Fateh, releasing today, will be priced at a mere ₹99. While the industry often hikes prices for big releases, Sood’s gesture reinforces his unwavering connection to audiences, making cinema more accessible. Inspired by real-life stories, the action-packed drama carries a powerful message of strength and unity. Sood’s decision to cap ticket prices stems from the belief in the film’s universal appeal. \"Fateh isn’t just a film — it’s a tribute to the resilience and spirit of the common man. I want everyone, regardless of their circumstances, to experience it. This gesture is my way of thanking the audience for their unwavering support and making sure no one is left behind in celebrating this story of courage,\" says the actor, who also wrote and directed the project.In addition, Sood has pledged to donate the film’s profits to charities and orphanages, reinforcing his ‘Real Hero’ title. As he puts it, “Every ticket that is sold will help those in need.” Produced by Umesh KR Bansal under Zee Studios and Sonali Sood of Shakti Sagar Productions, Fateh is set to leave audiences spellbound. So, head to your nearest theatre to be part of a cinematic revolution that celebrates humanity.
Amid divorce rumours, Dhanashree slams 'character assassination by trolls'
DHANASHREE VERMA BASHED ONLINE TROLLS FOR 'BASELESS' RUMOURS, BUT DID NOT DIRECTLY ADDRESS THE SPECULATION AROUND HER SEPARATION FROM YUZVENDRA CHAHAL
Tottenham Take 1-0 Lead vs Reds in Semis First-Leg
Lucas Bergvall scored his first goal for Tottenham Hotspur to give his side a surprise 1-0 victory over holders Liverpool in the first leg of their League Cup semi-final on Wednesday.
With Ghosal by her side, Anahat taking steady steps
By her own admission, Anahat Singh did not play her best squash at the British Junior Open, a prestigious junior tournament she won for the third time this week as its U-17 champion.
Can multi-city bid boost India's Oly credentials?
Ahmedabad is set to be the cornerstone of India's bid for 2036 Olympics even as few sports could be held in other cities in line with the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) push for cost-effectiveness and sustainability.
