Visual explainer: why are the LA wildfires so bad? | US wildfires | The Guardian

Santa Ana winds, drought and a hotter planet have helped exacerbate the Palisades, Hurst and Eaton fires in California

Firefighters battle the Eaton fire in Pasadena. Photograph: David McNew/Getty Images Santa Ana winds, drought and a hotter planet have helped exacerbate the fires in California By Oliver Milman , with graphics by Lucy Swan , Ana Lucía González Paz and Paul Scruton Thu 9 Jan 2025 08.23 EST First published on Wed 8 Jan 2025 13.43 EST Share Prefer the Guardian on Google E ven in a state that has become accustomed to severe conflagrations, the rapid surge of wildfire that has torched the Los Angeles area has been shocking, triggering mass evacuations that have left behind charred suburban homes. S

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