Numerous wildfires ignited in Los Angeles on Jan. 7, demonstrating the impact of climate shifts and extreme weather on densely populated areas. 

The fires, mainly impacting the neighborhoods of Pacific Palisades and Altadena, left approximately 200,000 people under evacuation, which has decreased to around 84,000 as of Jan. 15. The cost of the damage is estimated to be between $135 billion and $150 billion, making this disaster one of the costliest in U.S. history. 

The fires were fueled by unusually dry conditions in southern California, which have become more common in recent years. 

Song Gao, a chemistry professor at Georgetown University, explained how this dry climate has contributed to a higher fire risk, which may only continue to grow in the future.

“In downtown L.A., just 0.2 inches of rain has fallen since May 2024, according to the National Weather Service,” Gao wrote to The Hoya. “A latest study at Nature suggests that hydroclimate volatility (dry/wet transitions) is expected to evolve with anthropogenic warming, and will amplify hazards associated with such volatility, including wildfires.” 

Dylan Davis (CAS ’26), a student from Los Angeles, said the fire was unprecedented. 

“There have always been flare-ups and fire scares, but nothing of this magnitude so close to home,” Davis told The Hoya. 

Los Angeles has become more prone to wildfires due to its cycle of sudden shifts between extremely dry and extremely wet conditions. These conditions have also led to other natural disasters, such as flooding, mudslides and extreme heat.

Frances Ross (CAS ’26), another Los Angeles resident, said she has seen drastic changes in the weather patterns of her home county.

“Wildfires have always been a thing in California, but weather in L.A. has been progressively veering towards the extremes due to climate change,” Ross wrote to The Hoya. “For two years, we had periods of extreme rain and flooding, then severe droughts, and some people don’t realize that that’s not normal.”

The exact cause of the largest fire, the Palisades Fire, and other fires burning in Los Angeles is currently unknown, but recent climate reports point to rising global temperatures as contributors to the pendulum of dry and rainy conditions.

While international treaties such as the Paris Agreement have made some headway in bringing countries to a consensus on reducing carbon emissions, Gao said the failure to adhere to these treaties serves as a warning sign. 

“The Paris Agreement sets forth efforts to remain below 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming over the long term. 2024 marked the first time/year, at least temporarily, that has surpassed this critical threshold to avert the worst impacts of global warming,” Gao wrote.

It is highly unlikely that the drastic changes in southern California’s climate will slow down in the next few years, meaning more major wildfires may occur. 

Davis said he hopes California will use this knowledge to prepare for potential wildfires in the future.

“California has gone through a series of droughts in recent years, and this is unlikely to let up,” Davis wrote to The Hoya. “We can only hope to be better prepared for the next fire, addressing issues like running out of water, a lack of specialized helicopter and plane assets and staffing issues in fire departments across the state.”

Los Angeles is not the only area with major wildfire risks. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 15 states are at relatively high risk for wildfires, including Texas, Washington and Florida. As the likelihood of major wildfires increases across the United States, adequate preparation will be crucial. 

Davis said Georgetown students can use their education to create positive changes for the environment.

“Georgetown serves as an institution that calls its students to go out into the world before and after graduation to effect policy changes and impact the world in a tangible and positive way,” Davis wrote. “Hopefully, we can learn from this disaster to be better prepared going forward, and can serve as a canary in a coal mine for other regions susceptible to these same dangers.”