Historic wildfires ripped through the Los Angeles area this week, leaving at least five people dead, tens of thousands displaced, and more than 2,000 residences, businesses, and other buildings destroyed. According to WIRED, the still-burning blazes are already “the most destructive in California history.”
The LA wildfires were fueled by drought-like conditions and wind gusts of up to 100 miles per hour. As WIRED explains, while both wildfires and strong Santa Ana winds are common in the Los Angeles area, climate change is increasing the risk of these kinds of late-season wildfires in California, driven by warmer temperatures and low precipitation.
LA residents can use the Watch Duty app to track evacuation orders and threat levels in their area. LAist and Mutual Aid LA have compiled a list of resources for residents, including temporary shelter options, evacuation centers for people and animals, and locations for people to find food or beverages or charge their phones. KQED has also shared resources detailing how evacuations work, what to pack, and how to stay safe from wildfire smoke.
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For those not in LA who want to help and are able to donate, there are a number of local and national organizations mobilizing to provide aid on the ground.
Below, photos of the LA wildfires show how the blazes are impacting the city.
