Climate Change Intensifies Los Angeles Wildfires, Causing Record Damage

A study finds human-driven warming made the January fires 35% more likely, with damages exceeding $250 billion and raising questions about urban planning and insurance crises.

The January wildfires in Los Angeles burned nearly 20,000 hectares, claimed 28 lives, and damaged over 16,000 structures, making them the most expensive in U.S. history.
Researchers from World Weather Attribution concluded that climate change increased the likelihood of these fires by 35%, with prolonged drought and reduced rainfall playing key roles.
Urban sprawl into wildfire-prone areas and widespread use of flammable building materials have heightened the city's vulnerability to such disasters.
California faces a growing insurance crisis, as major providers have withdrawn from high-risk areas, leaving hundreds of thousands reliant on a strained public insurance program.
Experts warn that rebuilding in fire-prone areas without significant changes to urban planning and emissions reduction efforts will exacerbate future risks.