How powerful Santa Ana winds are supercharging the L.A. wildfires
Deadly and destructive wildfires are raging through the Los Angeles area, fueled by powerful winds that are only making the situation worse. As of Wednesday afternoon, four fast-moving blazes have claimed the lives of two individuals, injured many others, and destroyed over 1,000 structures. These wildfires are threatening an additional 28,000 structures and have forced at least 70,000 residents to evacuate their homes.
The winds in question are the notorious Santa Ana winds, which are strong gusts that blow from dry inland areas towards the coast during the cooler months. The National Weather Service reported winds exceeding 129 km/h in certain areas around Los Angeles, with peak speeds expected to reach 160 km/h in the mountains and foothills. Wind gusts of up to 95 km/h are forecasted through Thursday by L.A. County fire crews.
Originating from the dry desert regions of Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and southeast Oregon, these winds become even drier as they descend from the mountains. Meteorologist Peter Mullinax from the National Weather Service described the current conditions as “extremely critical fire weather,” attributing the heightened risk to the combination of strong gusts on elevated terrain and extremely low humidity levels.
The speed of the winds directly impacts the rate at which the wildfires spread. Firefighters typically use a rule of thumb that states fires spread at approximately 10% of the wind speed. The wind not only supplies the fire with air and oxygen but also pushes the flames towards additional fuel sources. This process preheats the vegetation, leading to the ignition of spot fires.
Senior fire management expert Lindon Pronto emphasized the Santa Ana winds’ ability to dry out vegetation to its lowest moisture content, making it highly susceptible to catching fire. Climate scientist Sylvia Dee highlighted the role of climate change in creating hotter and drier conditions, contributing to the heightened fire risk in the region.
Efforts to combat the wildfires have been hindered by the strong winds, with aerial firefighting operations being grounded due to the turbulent conditions. The winds can create turbulence, particularly in mountainous areas, posing a risk to firefighting aircraft.
As the wildfires continue to ravage the Los Angeles area, residents and firefighters alike are grappling with the devastating impact of these natural disasters exacerbated by powerful winds.
