California Wildfires and the Pacific Palisades Fire

California Wildfires and the Pacific Palisades Fire

The Intensifying Threat

Watching the news this week, I noticed broadcasts implying that recent wildfires in Los Angeles, fueled by Santa Ana winds, are more intense than usual. The suggestion seems to be that climate change is exacerbating the already hostile fire environment in Southern California.

Regardless of your views on climate change, this region has a long history of catastrophic wildfires predating human settlement. The combination of desert vegetation, steep mountains, persistent Santa Ana winds, limited water, and insufficient wildfire preparation are the roots of the destruction we’re witnessing today. Building millions of structures in a region that is naturally prone to burn every few years—without taking costly mitigation measures—inevitably leads to such devastation. But this is not new to the Southern California coast. Let’s start by understanding the role of Santa Ana winds.

Bar chart showing average Santa Ana wind events per month. Peaks in December (5.5) and January (5). Lower numbers in August, July, and June (0, 0.5), with a gradual increase from September to February, then decreasing to April.

Understanding Santa Ana Winds

Formation and Characteristics

Santa Ana winds are formed when heated air in the Great Basin and upper Mojave Desert creates air pressure. This air flows over the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada mountains down into Southern California. The low pressure over the Pacific Ocean creates a pressure gradient, drawing in the heated air mass and sending it out to sea.

Key Facts About Santa Ana Winds:

  • Winter months—December, January, and February—are typically the windiest, with around five Santa Ana events each month.
  • Gusts often exceed 60 miles per hour, with extreme cases reaching up to 100 miles per hour.
  • Santa Ana winds typically occur 10 to 25 times each year.
  • The longest recorded Santa Ana event lasted 14 days in November 1957.
  • Historical accounts, from explorers to the Mexican-American War, reference these "Devil Winds."
  • The Beach Boys recorded a song titled “Santa Ana Winds” in 1980.

A History of California Wildfires

Statistical Overview (1987–2023)

California’s wildfire history is both extensive and tragic. Below is a table summarizing wildfire activity over the years:

A table showing the number of wildfires and acres burned for selected years: 1987, 13,476 fires, 873,000 acres; 1988, 13,290 fires, 345,000 acres; 2020, 9,639 fires, 4,397,809 acres; 2021, 8,835 fires, 2,568,948 acres; 2023, 7,127 fires, 324,917 acres.

Looking at this data, one can see significant year-to-year variation. While the acres burned in 2022 and 2023 fell significantly from previous years, history shows this is cyclical. Wildfire frequency and severity will likely rise again.

Extreme and Costly Measures

Although wildfires are inevitable, proper preparation and infrastructure can mitigate their impact. Here are some measures to consider:

  1. Water Infrastructure:
    • Build a network of dams and reservoirs near populated areas.
    • Construct a waterway or tunnel to bring water from Northern California to Southern California.
    • Use dedicated power systems to pump water to and from reservoirs during peak fire seasons.
  2. Electrical Grid Improvements:
    • Move the power grid underground.
    • Clear vegetation near above-ground power equipment.
  3. Greenbelts and Landscaping:
    • Encourage fire-resistant landscaping through tax incentives.
    • Establish greenbelts between woodlands and urban areas.
  4. Home and Community Measures:
    • Provide no-interest loans for homeowners to install water tanks and pumping systems.
    • Promote fire-resistant building materials.
  5. Firefighting Resources:
    • Maintain well-funded fire departments and civilian fire brigades.
    • Ensure a robust aerial firefighting arm is ready during Santa Ana wind events.
  6. Legislation and Enforcement:
    • Enforce strict no-burn policies during high-risk times, with significant penalties for violators.
    • Monitor homeless encampments and illegal activities in forested areas.
  7. Forest Management:
    • Conduct controlled burns in overgrown areas and clear excess brush near populated zones.

The Sycamore Canyon Fire of 1977

My perspective on this issue began in 1977 when I was a child attending Cold Springs Elementary School in Santa Barbara. A late afternoon kite accident caused a fire on Coyote Road in Montecito, igniting thick brush.

The fire, driven by 80 mph Santa Ana winds, descended the mountains like a monster. Flames soared 100 feet high, and ash blanketed the area. My father and I stayed behind to fight the fire with a garden hose, but we eventually fled when water pressure dropped, and the heat became unbearable.

Our home was spared, but 240 others burned to the ground. Friends had to move away, and the area reeked of charred remains for years. That terrifying experience taught me to respect nature’s power and prioritize preparedness.


Closing Thoughts

California wildfires are a sobering reminder of nature’s immense force and our vulnerability. Implementing extreme measures may seem costly, but they are essential to break the cycle of destruction.

Written by Brendan Furnish
Vice President of Marketing, Chef Minute Meals Inc.
881 Mountain View Dr., Piney Flats, TN 37686

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