The Wildfires in California

Graphic by Guili Yin

Once again, the recent wildfires in California have underscored how vulnerable the region is to these devastating disasters. From Jan. 1 to 31st in 2025, fast-moving flames have scorched thousands of acres, forcing evacuations, destroying property, and leaving behind a trail of destruction. These fires are a stark reminder of how a combination of weather, geography, and human activity continues to fuel this dangerous trend. However, the exact cause, or combination of causes, has not yet been determined, indicating the arcane nature of the location in which the fire has started.  

The recent fires, including Easton and Palisades Fire, began under the familiar yet deadly conditions of California’s fire season. Record-breaking heat waves and months of minimal rainfall created the perfect environment for wildfires to spark. In some cases, the causes were natural, such as lightning strikes, but others were linked to human negligence, such as equipment malfunctions or improper handling of fire-prone materials. The Santa Ana winds only made matters worse, spreading embers rapidly while giving fire crews little time to contain the flames.

What makes these fires especially relentless is how the conditions in California amplify their effects. The ongoing drought has left vegetation bone-dry, making it incredibly flammable. Once a fire starts, it feeds on the dry brush and spreads with alarming speed. Firefighters often struggle to access remote or hilly areas, and with the fires creeping closer to densely populated neighborhoods, the risks to people and property are even higher. Particularly, the fire tore out Pacific Palisades from Los Angeles County, destroying more than $350 million in infrastructure, such as public libraries, streetlights, and recreation centers. 

For those living in California, the recent wildfires have been life-altering. The fires across California have killed around 27 people, destroyed more than 12,000 structures, and charred more than 40,500 acres. The air quality plummeted, with thick smoke blanketing the city and causing respiratory problems for thousands of residents. Schools, businesses, and infrastructure have been disrupted, forcing communities to adapt to an increasingly unpredictable environment. 

In a vivid anecdote representative of many families' sentiments, Anthony Mitchell recalled that his father refused to leave his brother, Justin Mitchell, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy in their Atlanta home, ultimately leading to their death. Anthony states “Everybody is just distraught over what happened,” highlighting the detrimental both physical and mental damages caused by the incident. The vivid anecdote of the tragic event indicates the extent to which the fire not only demolished people’s livestock but also left the town with irreparable damage. 

Wildfires are a natural part of Earth’s cycle; nonetheless, climate change and other direct human influences have increased the likelihood of naturally occurring events to be more intense and frequent. In recent decades, wildfires in the United States have become larger and more destructive. Due to the prolonged droughts, dry vegetation, and drier conditions, which have aided the growing intensity of these phenomena. According to Climate.gov, compared to the year 2000, which had a global surface temperature of around 0.43 degrees Celsius, 2023 had a global surface temperature of around 1.18 degrees Celsius. While the difference may seem small, it shows a significant increase in accumulated heat, indicating that one of the main causes of Californian wildlife was due to global warming. 

In response to the devastating humane losses and financial damages caused by the enormous wildfire, the globe utilized diverse means to help the victims of the California wildfires by donating to the California Fire Foundation, Wildfire Relief Fund on GoFundMe, or Direct Relief’s Wildfire Response Fund online, which all help to support victims of wildfires and disasters throughout California. Donations make a real difference, often impacting thousands of lives. California wildfires have proven once again that the Earth we live in has started to undergo dramatic changes due to human influence.