Firefighters in Los Angeles hope for improved weather conditions to combat ongoing wildfires
On Tuesday, calmer conditions helped crews tackle the fires. However, a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” warning was issued for Wednesday, especially near the two fires that have tragically claimed at least 25 lives and destroyed thousands of homes. The National Weather Service has also issued a red flag warning from the Central Coast down to the Mexico border.
Forecasts indicate that firefighting conditions should improve later this week. Just like how wind and drought fueled the fires, calmer winds, higher humidity, and cooler temperatures can help put them out.
Humidity plays a big role. When the air holds more moisture, it makes it harder for fires to ignite. Fire warnings usually come when humidity drops below 15% and winds pick up. Less wind is also a plus since strong gusts can spread flames and dry out vegetation, making it more flammable.
While rain or snow can help, it often evaporates quickly and doesn’t completely extinguish fires. The Wednesday forecast might worsen things initially, with low humidity and strong Santa Ana winds. But there’s hope for relief later in the week.
By Friday, we might see higher humidity and lighter winds, although rain isn’t expected. While some rain would be beneficial, too much could lead to mudslides in affected areas.
As the fires eventually die down, it’s important to remember that climate change is making wildfires more frequent and intense, leading to more extreme conditions in the future.
