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Addressing the broader issue of climate change remains crucial for preventing wildfires from becoming an even more significant threat in the future.

By Syed Zeeshan Ahmed | February 2025


The wildfires in Southern California, starting in early January, have caused severe destruction. Climate change, prolonged droughts, and strong winds have exacerbated the intensity of these fires. Pacific Palisades, Eaton, and Hertz are the major fire zones. The Eaton fire, the largest fire in Pacific Palisades, spread across over 24 thousand acres and burned over 14 thousand acres, and the Hertz fire affected about 800 acres. In appalling fire, dozens of people lost their lives, approximately more than 12500 buildings and structures have been destroyed or damaged, and more than 200 thousand people have been evacuated to safer locations and shelters. Strong winds and dry weather have hindered firefighting efforts. To make things worse, as per weather forecasts, strong winds and low humidity in the future may increase the fire threat again. Due to climate change and prolonged drought, the risk of wildfires is increasing.

Experts emphasize the need for long-term planning and environmental conservation to address these challenges. While wildfires cannot be completely prevented, measures are being taken to mitigate their impact. By improving firefighting techniques, investments in technology, such as drones and satellite monitoring, have enhanced early detection and firefighting capabilities. Experts said that by prescribed burns, controlled fires reduce the amount of flammable vegetation, helping to prevent larger, uncontrolled wildfires.

Public awareness campaigns and evacuation plans have been implemented to help residents respond quickly during a fire. Homes and infrastructure in fire-prone areas are being constructed with fire-resistant materials to minimize damages. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to renewable energy sources aim to combat the root causes of worsening wildfire seasons. The California State Government has organized hotlines and insurance workshops to help victims file claims and support reconstruction efforts.

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