- By Priyanka Koul
- Thu, 09 Jan 2025 03:23 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Los Angeles Wildfires: The picturesque neighbourhoods of Los Angeles, home to many A-Lister Hollywood celebrities, have been destroyed in the fierce wildfires with fast-moving flames burning through homes and businesses turning them into ashes. At least five people have died, and over 1,000 buildings in the hilly coastal neighbourhood of Pacific Palisades have been destroyed in the raging wildfires, making it the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history.
Meanwhile, authorities have ordered more than 100,000 residents in Hollywood to evacuate their homes. More than 1,400 firefighting personnel have been pressed into action to battle the blazes. In a rare, urgent plea, the Los Angeles Fire Department asked all off-duty firefighters in the city to help. An estimated USD 52 billion to USD 57 billion in preliminary damage and economic loss has occurred from the fires.
One of the key reasons for these intense wildfires is the Santa Ana winds, which are common in Southern California during the cooler months. The Santa Ana winds have halted the rescue and dousing operations, with the winds gusting to more than 70 mph (112 kph) in some spots. The winds persisted Wednesday and for a while made it too dangerous for aircraft to attack the fires from the sky.
Image Credits: Reuters
What are the Santa Ana winds?
Santa Ana winds are dry, warm, and strong winds that blow from inland Southern California toward the coast. They move in the opposite direction of the usual winds that bring moist air from the Pacific Ocean.
These winds are caused by high-pressure systems over the Great Basin, a desert area in the western United States. When the air starts sinking, it loses its moisture as it moves toward Southern California. As it travels down the mountain ranges separating the desert from the coast, the air becomes even drier and hotter. The winds pick up speed as they pass through narrow mountain passes and valleys, making the conditions perfect for wildfires.
The low humidity during Santa Ana winds sometimes drops to single digits which dries out plants and trees, turning them into fuel for fires. Even a small spark, like from a power line or a cigarette, can quickly turn into a massive fire due to the strong winds. It starts becoming warmer and contributes to the spread of wildfires due to the low humidity.
Why They Are Called Devil Winds?
The name "Santa Ana winds" comes from the Santa Ana Canyon in Orange County, though some people call them "devil winds." These winds have been responsible for some of the worst wildfires in Southern California, such as the Woolsey Fire in 2018, which killed three people and destroyed over 1,600 buildings, and the Franklin Fire, which damaged nearly 50 homes in Malibu.
This time, four fast-moving fires have forced more than 80,000 people to evacuate areas like Pacific Palisades, Pasadena, and Sylmar in Los Angeles. Officials have called the winds "life-threatening and destructive."
Image Credits: Reuters
The most recent wildfire, known as the Woodley Fire, started yesterday at 6:15 AM Pacific Time in the Sepulveda Basin area of the San Fernando Valley. It has spread across 75 acres and is being driven south by strong winds. According to Cal Fire, it could cross Burbank Boulevard, posing a threat to additional areas.
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued air quality and dust advisories for 17 million people across Southern California due to the thick smoke and ash from the wildfires.
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