From the Ashes
The wildfires that erupted in the Los Angeles area in January were among the most destructive in California history. Flames incinerated over 20,000 hectares, an area larger than Washington, D.C. Climate change made the dry, windy conditions that drove the infernos 1.3 times more likely, researchers say. Though the fallout is staggering, science can inform efforts to keep people safe from the dangerous aftereffects and help survivors recover. — Cassie Martin, Deputy Managing Editor
- Health & Medicine
Toxic dangers lurk in LA, even in homes that didn’t burn
Urban wildfires like LA’s make harmful chemicals from burning plastics and electronics that can make indoor air dangerous for months.
- Earth
Another danger looms after the LA fires: Devastating debris flows
As wildfires burn the landscape, they prime slopes for debris flows: powerful torrents of rock, mud and water that sweep downhill with deadly momentum.
- Psychology
Survivors of the LA fires will face a complex blend of mental health challenges
Logistical needs, like employment and housing, along with psychological needs must be met after disasters like the LA wildfires, research shows.
