Los Angeles County continues to grapple with intense wildfires that have wreaked havoc, displacing tens of thousands and causing extensive property damage. Amidst the devastation, a critical question persists: What ignited the California fires?
The truth is, the exact cause remains a mystery. It’s crucial to note that multiple fires erupted across Los Angeles County, such as the Palisades Fire, Eaton Fire, Hurst Fire, Kenneth Fire, and Lidia Fire, suggesting the possibility of varied origins for each incident.
While the investigation could span weeks or even months, officials are currently exploring several potential causes.
Arson. Regarding the Palisades Fire, which has consumed 23,713 acres, experts deem arson—deliberate fire-setting—an unlikely cause. This blaze’s origin on a hilltop makes it an improbable target for arsonists, according to experts consulted by NBC News.
«This is what we call inaccessible, rugged terrain,» explained Rick Crawford, a retired battalion chief for the Los Angeles Fire Department, to the outlet. «Arsonists typically don’t venture 500 feet off a trailhead through dense brush, ignite a fire, and flee.»
Wildfires aren’t rare in the wooded fringes of Los Angeles. NBC News reports that many are unintentionally sparked by homeless individuals, with some fires even originating in urban areas where the homeless tap into electrical wires beneath sidewalks for power.
Although experts suggest arson is unlikely behind the Palisades Fire, smaller subsequent fires might be attributed to «copycat arsonists.» As of Monday, only 13% of the fire was contained.
Electrical Tower. The Palisades and Eaton Fires rank among the most destructive fires ever recorded in Los Angeles County.
For the Eaton Fire, investigators are scrutinizing an electrical tower managed by Southern California Edison (SCE). As reported by The Los Angeles Times, numerous residents have captured images and videos suggesting the fire originated at the SCE tower’s base, prompting multiple visits from investigators.
David Stover, an evacuee, recounted to the Times that the blaze ignited at the tower.
«It was like a little ball, and it just went off,» Stover recalled. «It just exploded.»
As of Monday, the Eaton Fire had ravaged 14,117 acres, according to Cal Fire, with only 27% containment.
«To date, no fire agency has implied SCE’s electric facilities played a role in the ignition or requested the removal or preservation of any SCE equipment,» the company noted.
An Old Fire. Experts also consider the possibility of an old fire’s resurgence from New Year’s Day in a Pacific Palisades hillside. Although fireworks ignited the initial fire, firefighters managed to extinguish it before it reached residential areas.
However, as Terry Taylor, a retired wildland fire investigator, noted, extinguishing the flames doesn’t guarantee the fire’s eradication, especially in dry, rugged terrains.
«These sorts of fuels, especially when they are dry, the fire goes deep down into the root structure, so you may not get it out even if you dump water on it,» Taylor shared with The San Francisco Chronicle. A rekindling of the fire was «very possible,» he added, suggesting he’d investigate it if involved in the case.
Both the New Year’s Day fire and the Palisades Fire originated from the same hillside.
While the official cause of the California fires remains undetermined, officials concur on one factor: Strong winds exacerbated the situation, likely aiding the fires’ spread. As of Monday, these winds seemed poised to return.
The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning for Los Angeles County, effective from Monday night through Wednesday, with gusts anticipated to reach 55 to 70 mph.
Images | CAL Fire | Gov. Gavin Newsom
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