Local officials described the fires as a “perfect storm,” with winds of up to 100 miles per hour preventing the use of planes and helicopters to fight the flames. These extreme conditions, combined with numerous droughts and fires that broke out in the same geographic area, made destruction inevitable.
The devastating wildfires that hit Southern California recently raised the question of whether this catastrophe could have been minimized or whether these events are now normal in the age of climate change. An analysis by CNN, based on government reports and interviews with experts, suggests the answer is a mix of both.
COMBINATION OF EXTREME CONDITIONS
Local officials described the fires as a “perfect storm,” with winds of up to 100 miles per hour preventing the use of planes and helicopters to fight the flames. These extreme conditions, combined with numerous droughts and fires that broke out in the same geographic area, made destruction inevitable.
However, several human factors such as poor vegetation management, aging infrastructure and lack of planning contributed to the fires which destroyed over 90 square km, thousands of structures and left at least 10 dead.
UJI
During the emergency, firefighters reported a drop in water pressure in the hydrant. Although this was not the main reason for the destruction, functioning hydrants could have helped prevent minor damage. In the Palisades area, pressure dropped due to unprecedented water demand that lasted for 15 consecutive hours. Three tanks, each holding a million gallons of water, were periodically emptied, reducing the pressure. This situation was aggravated by the fact that a tank near the area was empty due to repairs.
In Altadena, a community in the hills, the problem stemmed from a lack of electricity. When the tanks were empty, there was no power to pump water to replenish the system, as the power company had cut power to protect firefighters from the danger of downed power lines.
LIMITED BUDGET
Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley has warned that budget cuts have severely limited the capacity to prepare and respond to emergencies. Just last month, she wrote that $7 million in overtime cuts and the elimination of several support positions had affected the department’s ability to conduct vegetation inspections, which are critical to reducing fire danger in high-risk areas. In addition, California is experiencing a decline in the prison workforce that has traditionally helped firefighters fight wildfires. Reforms in the prison system have significantly reduced the number of these employees, making it more difficult to manage emergency situations.
BUILDINGS AND SAFETY CODES
Only a small fraction of housing in areas affected by the fires was built to new standards that took effect after 2008. These standards include fire-resistant materials and designs that help reduce damage. According to a study, a dwelling built after 2008 is 40% less likely to be destroyed by fire compared to one built in 1990. But most of the dwellings affected by fires this week were built before the introduction of these standards. For example, only 5% of the structures in the area around the Palisades Fire were built after 2010.
THE FUTURE
Experts emphasize that reconstruction after fires should include measures to minimize risks in the future. Changes in neighborhood design and policies that force residents to clear vegetation can help. Also, renovation of old buildings to meet the new standards can be encouraged. Some power companies are putting power lines underground in high-risk areas, but this is very expensive. Another measure would be to expand the water pipes to ensure sufficient pressure during emergencies.
According to some experts, in high-risk areas, perhaps one should think about not renovating buildings after disasters. This approach, known as “managed avoidance,” can encourage residents to move to safer areas. “These are difficult decisions,” said UCLA’s Greg Pierce, “but in some cases, they may be necessary.” While extreme conditions such as strong winds were the main factor in the destruction of the fires in Los Angeles, better planning, more suitable infrastructure and preventive measures could have reduced the damage.
