Unprecedented Winter Wildfires Ravage Los Angeles
(Source – Indian Express, Section – Explained – Page No. – 14)
| Topic: GS1 – Geography |
| Context |
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Analysis of the news:
What Are Wildfires?
● Wildfires are uncontrolled fires that spread rapidly across forests, grasslands, or urban areas, fueled by dry vegetation and wind.
● While they are natural occurrences in ecosystems, human activities and climate change have amplified their frequency and severity.
The Escalating Wildfire Crisis in Los Angeles
- Wildfires raging across Los Angeles have caused significant devastation, including the loss of 10 lives, evacuation of over 130,000 people, and destruction of numerous properties, including celebrity homes.
- These fires, occurring unusually in winter, have disrupted life, including delays in events like the Oscars nominations announcement.
Unusual Weather Patterns: From Wet to Dry
- Los Angeles has experienced extreme weather fluctuations in recent years. The unusually wet winters of 2022 and 2023 promoted abundant vegetation growth.
- This year’s exceptionally dry winter has turned this vegetation into highly flammable material.
- With negligible rainfall since October, the region has recorded its driest start to the water year since 1944, intensifying the wildfire risk.
Impact of Santa Ana Winds
- The Santa Ana winds, a seasonal phenomenon, are unusually strong this year.
- Originating from high-pressure systems in the Great Basin, these winds blow westward, descending the Sierra Nevada and Santa Ana mountains.
- As they lose humidity, gain speed, and heat up, they fuel and spread fires rapidly across Southern California, exacerbating the crisis.
Role of Climate Change
- Climate change has intensified California’s wildfire season. Rising global temperatures have led to warmer springs and summers, early snow melts, and longer dry seasons.
- These conditions increase moisture stress on vegetation, creating an ideal environment for wildfires.
- Studies have shown that the state’s wildfire season is not only longer but also more intense than in previous decades.
Conclusion:
- The wildfires in Los Angeles are the result of a confluence of factors, including extreme weather variations, strong seasonal winds, and climate change.
- Addressing this crisis requires urgent measures to mitigate climate change, improve disaster preparedness, and manage vegetation growth to reduce wildfire risks.
| Measures to Mitigate Wildfires |
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| Practice Question: The increasing intensity and frequency of wildfires, as seen in Los Angeles, highlight the growing impact of climate change and extreme weather patterns. Discuss the causes and consequences of such wildfires and suggest measures to mitigate their impact on human lives and the environment. (250 Words /15 marks) |
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