A wave of devastating fires.. How the weather contributed to the outbreak and spread of fires in California

Arab Weather - The city of Los Angeles in California recently witnessed a wave of devastating fires that caused panic among residents. Strong winds also helped the fire spread quickly, prompting authorities to issue urgent evacuation orders for the affected areas. The flames rose terrifyingly, reaching 10 meters in some places, making the process of controlling the fire more difficult. Firefighting teams are working hard to combat the fire.

How did the winds contribute to the spread of the fires and what does the weather have to do with it?

In this context, meteorologists at the Arab Weather Regional Center said that strong winds played a major role in the spread of the recent Los Angeles fires, as they helped move the flames quickly across large areas, making it more difficult to control. When the winds are strong, they push the flames from one place to another, which increases the speed of the fire’s spread. In cases such as those witnessed in California, the winds can carry burning embers to new areas, causing the fire to spread over greater distances, which increases the danger of the situation.

As for the weather, there were several factors that helped exacerbate the situation. First, the temperatures were high during the summer months, which dried out plants and grasses, which are highly combustible. In addition, the hot, dry winds, known as the Santana winds or easterly winds, were another factor in accelerating the spread of the fires.

What are the Santana winds that affect California?

The Santana wind is a dry, warm wind that blows over Southern California, especially the Los Angeles area, where it is created when air moves from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure. This causes the air to heat up significantly and reduces its humidity, making the winds hot and dry. The Santana wind causes temperatures to rise in the region, where wind speeds can reach 50 mph (80 km/h), and usually last for several days.

One of the main effects of these winds is the decrease in humidity and the prevalence of dry conditions, which helps fires spread faster, especially in dry areas. It also leads to an increase in the risk of fires due to the dry and hot air carried by the winds, which accelerates the ignition and spread of fires.

And God knows best.