What we know about the devastating fires ravaging Los Angeles

For two days, fires of exceptional violence have ravaged Los Angeles and its surrounding areas, threatening the most popular neighborhoods of the California megacity. Fueled by powerful winds and prolonged drought, these fires have already destroyed thousands of buildings and caused the evacuation of tens of thousands of people. 20 Minutes takes stock.

What is the outcome of this out-of-control disaster?

Since Tuesday, five major fires have broken out in several areas of Los Angeles, the most feared being located in Pacific Palisades and Eaton Canyon. These fires are described as “out of control” by firefighters, who are alarmed by their intensity and the speed at which the flames spread. With already nearly 2,000 buildings destroyed, mainly residences, and a perimeter of 120 km2 ravaged, these fires are among the most destructive ever recorded in Los Angeles County.

The authorities deplore five deaths, but this toll could rise further in the days to come, while searches continue in the charred areas. Among the victims, there were several residents surprised by the speed of the flames’ progression. More than 100,000 residents were evacuated. In terms of material damage, the cost already promises to be colossal. According to an initial estimate from AccuWeather, losses could reach $57 billion (55 billion euros).

What are the causes of these terrible fires?

Although fires are frequent in California, several factors explain the exceptional intensity of this wave of fires. “We are dealing with a perfect cocktail of elements favoring fires: heat, drought and strong winds,” explains Kristina Dahl, climatologist and vice president of the organization Climate Central. Indeed, after a start to the year marked by heavy rains due to the El Niño weather phenomenon, the region experienced a period of extreme drought from the second half of 2024.

According to weather records, only 4 mm of rain fell in central Los Angeles in recent months, causing significant drying out of vegetation. Another aggravating factor: the Santa Ana winds, these hot and dry winds characteristic of the region, which reached peaks of 160 km/h. These violent gusts not only fan the flames, but also considerably complicate the work of firefighters, preventing effective control of outbreaks.

What are the political reactions?

The management of this disaster immediately sparked reactions from the political class. The Democratic governor of California, Gavin Newsom, denounced the effects of global warming, pointing to the lengthening and intensification of the “fire season”, which, according to him, “now lasts all year round”. “There is no more respite,” he declared during a press conference, calling for increased mobilization in the face of climate change.

For his part, President Joe Biden visited the site on Wednesday to meet firefighters and express his support for the affected residents. He also approved the release of emergency federal funds to help with reconstruction and support relief teams. Faced with the urgency of the situation, he canceled a planned trip to Italy. Donald Trump took the opportunity to relaunch his criticism of California’s environmental management, which he considers “catastrophic”. On his social network Truth Social, he accused Democratic politicians of “diverting rainwater to protect a useless fish” and named Gavin Newsom as responsible for the crisis.

What is happening now?

According to firefighters, the next few days will be decisive in the fight against fires. Although winds are expected to gradually ease by the end of the week, the weather service maintained a red alert for strong winds through Friday. Firefighters hope that this subsequent calm will allow them to contain the main outbreaks.

Our file on fires

However, the authorities remain on alert, fearing a rapid resumption of fires in the event of new storms. In this context, the issue of fire prevention and adaptation to climate change once again comes to the forefront. For Los Angeles, however, the priority remains to control this crisis before it takes on an even more dramatic scale.