Are Arsonists Behind the Recent Wildfires in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles: The Palisades Fire started on a brushy hilltop around 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Fire investigators are still trying to figure out what ignited the flames. They’ve ruled out lightning since the weather was calm. Plus, there are no power lines nearby, which eliminates another common cause.

So, could it be arson? Experts say it’s a possibility, but they lean towards the idea that it wasn’t intentionally set. A former fire chief mentioned that arsonists usually don’t venture deep into rugged terrain to start fires.

Fires happen often in the wooded areas around Los Angeles, often sparked accidentally by homeless individuals. But this week’s combination of strong winds and dry conditions created a perfect storm for the wildfires to spread quickly.

One retired investigator pointed out that nature often causes these fires, so there’s no need for a group of arsonists. However, they acknowledged that copycat arson can occur after a big fire event, which might explain some smaller fires that popped up after the Palisades blaze.

As for the Eaton Fire, which erupted later, experts suspect it might be linked to power lines due to the area’s conditions. They noted that whipping winds can cause power lines to create sparks, igniting dry grass below.

Investigating the cause of a fire is a meticulous process. Investigators look for burn patterns and other clues, crawling around the scene to find evidence. They might even use metal detectors to search for tiny pieces of metal that could indicate how a fire started.

Most wildfires are caused by human activity, often accidents rather than arson. A professor analyzed data from the last 30 years and found that over 95% of wildfires in Los Angeles County were human-ignited, with many being unintentional.

Recently, a man was detained in Woodland Hills for allegedly starting a trash fire, but he wasn’t charged with arson due to lack of evidence. Meanwhile, a task force is working to uncover the causes of the recent fires, involving skilled local agencies and federal authorities.

It may take days or even months to determine the causes of these fires, especially if they were started by people. With the death toll reaching 24, the investigation will continue until they find answers. The retired fire chief reassured that the best experts are on the case, ready to tackle the problem.