Los Angeles in flames: Santa Ana winds that flashed the fire and phenomenon of the “atmospheric dryer”

Dramatic is the last 24 hours the situation in the cause of their spread, where tens of thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes or have seen them staggered. Fires are raging in various areas of Los Angeles and have destroyed more than 16,000 acres since it broke out while five people have lost their lives. Over 100,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate their homes, including those residing in the luxury Palisades, a neighborhood known for the residences of many Hollywood celebrities. CORVERSE Despite widespread mobilisation, the five fiery fronts are still raging uncontrollably, as strong winds are making it difficult for firefighting efforts. As the media reports, available resources, both in human resources and in water, are insufficient to address this unprecedented situation. The disaster has led many among them and many of them have even shared their loss through social media, informing their online friends of the magnitude of the disaster. Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, Eugene Levy is among those who have lost their homes. At the same time it is impressive how quickly the fires spread – within a few hours. What caused this event and, in January, a month that is theoretically far beyond the anti-pyrotic period? CORVERSE The majority (85%) of all forest fires in the United States are caused by people, whether intentionally or by accident, according to the U.S. Forest Service. But there’s a difference between what triggers a fire and what allows it to spread. These fires in Los Angeles were somehow triggered, but other factors have fueled them, thus spreading quickly and leaving people with little time to prepare or flee. Flames rise from a seaside house along the road to Malibu – REUTERS/Mike Blake The main culprit so far is the winds of Santa Ana. What are the winds of Santa Ana that cause “atmospheric dryer” Santa Ana’s so-called winds are extreme, dry winds that are common in Los Angeles in the coldest, winter months. California Forest and Fire Protection Department warned that the strong winds of Santa Ana and low humidity increase the “extreme fire risk”. These northeastern winds blow from the interior of Southern California to the coast, rising speed as they squeeze through mountain ranges bordering the urban area around the coastline. They breathe in the opposite direction from the usual land flow carrying liquid air from the Pacific Ocean to the area. The lack of moisture in the air dries vegetation, making it more flammable once a fire begins. The winds of Santa Ana have already exceeded 60 miles/h and could reach 100 miles/h in the mountains and foothills – including areas that have hardly had any rain in months. Among other things, wind power does not facilitate – and often prohibits – the flights of firefighting aircraft and helicopters, further making efforts to combat fires difficult. Santa Ana winds create a phenomenon of “atmospheric dryer” that “will dry things even more,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), according to Skynews. The more the extreme wind insists, the drier the vegetation will become, he said. The role of climate change California governor, Gavin Newsome, said the fire season is now “all year in the state of California” despite the fact that “traditional” there are no fires this time of year – referring to the impact of climate change. Fire languages burn Los Angeles – REUTERS/Ringo Chiu REUTERS/Ringo Chiu/File Photo Scientists will need time to evaluate the role of climate change in these fires, which could range from drying the earth to reducing wind speed. But in general we know that climate change increases hot, dry weather in the US that dries vegetation, thus creating the dangerous fuel for fires – that according to World Weather Attribution scientists. However, human activities, such as forest management and sources of ignition, are also important factors that dictate how a fire spreads. Southern California experienced a particularly hot summer, followed by almost no rain during the wet season, Professor Alex Hall from UCLA said. “And all this comes after two very arid years, which means there is plenty of fuel for possible fires. These intense winds have the ability to turn a small spark into a fire that eats thousands of acres at alarming speed – a dynamic that only increases with the warmer temperatures of a changing climate.” Information from Skynews