Los Angeles: What caused the terrible fires in the city?

The researchers were considering a series of possible ignition sources for the huge fires that have killed at least 10 people, and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in the Los Angeles area.

In the exclusive hills of Pacific Palisades, home to Hollywood stars such as Jamie Lee Curtis and Billy Crystal — who lost homes to the fire — officials have located the source of the flames, which were fanned by strong winds, behind a house on Piedra Morada Drive, over a creek with a high density of trees.

Although lightning is the most common cause of fires in the United Statesaccording to the National Fire Protection Association, investigators were able to quickly rule them out. No lightning strikes have been reported in the Palisades area nor in the areas near the Eaton Fire, which started in eastern Los Angeles County and has also destroyed hundreds of homes.

The next two most common causes are: those caused intentionally and those caused by power lines.

John Lentini, owner of Scientific Fire Analysis in Florida, who has investigated large fires in California such as the Oakland Hills fire in 1991, noted that The size and magnitude of the fire does not change the approach to finding out what caused it.

“This was previously a small fire,” he said. “People will focus on where they started, will determine the origin and review the origin to determine the cause“.

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For now, There were no official indications that any of the fires were set, and the power lines have not been pointed out as the cause either. Utility companies must report to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) when they become aware of “electrical incidents possibly linked to a wildfire,” said Terrie Prosper, communications director for the commission. , by email. CPUC staff then investigates those cases, to see if state law was broken.

Other fires

The 2017 Thomas Fire, one of the largest fires in state history, was caused by the Southern California Edison power lines, They came into contact due to strong winds, according to researchers. That fire claimed the lives of two people and devastated more than 1,140 square kilometers.according to the investigation led by the Ventura County Fire Department.

The CPUC website, which monitors these types of files, has not published similar reports about active fires.

While lightning, arson, and power lines are the most common causes, Burning debris and fireworks also often cause fires.

However, they can start for multiple reasons, including accidents. In 2021, the stunt hired by a couple to reveal the gender of the baby they were expecting, caused a large fire that devastated nearly 90 square km, It destroyed five homes, 15 buildings and claimed the life of a firefighter, Charlie Morton.

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The Eaton and Palisades fires They continued to burn this Thursday with hardly any containment. The winds have calmed, but the forecasts do not contemplate rain, while the flames continue their advance through kilometers of dry landscape.

“It will turn off when it runs out of fuel, or when the weather slows it down”Lentini said. “They’re not going to turn that thing off until it’s ready to turn off.”

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