1. The Fires Themselves:

• Driven by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds reaching 100 mph and dry conditions due to an aggressive dry season, the fires are the most destructive in the city's history (Rolling Stone).
• At least five people have died, over 130,000 residents have been evacuated, and over 2,000 structures have been burned (Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Times).
• Over 7,500 fire personnel have been deployed, but containment remains a challenge (California Gov. Gavin Newsom).
• The fires are likely exacerbated by climate change, creating conditions ripe for rapid spread and ignition (Inside Climate News).
• Water infrastructure faced unprecedented strain with some fire hydrants running dry due to extreme demand, not budget cuts (Inside Climate News).

2. Politicization and Misinformation:

• Blaming DEI Initiatives: Prominent figures like Elon Musk and Megyn Kelly spread the false claim that the LAFD's diversity initiatives hindered firefighting efforts, exemplified by Musk's tweet, "DEI means people DIE." (Rolling Stone, The Washington Post).
• Attacking Gov. Newsom: President-elect Trump falsely accused Newsom of refusing to sign a non-existent water restoration declaration to protect the Delta smelt, diverting water needed for firefighting. This claim was debunked by experts and Newsom's office (Inside Climate News, Rolling Stone).
• Conspiracy Theories: Alex Jones propagated the theory that the fires were a planned attack to destabilize the US, gaining traction on X (formerly Twitter) (Rolling Stone). Wild claims about Sean "Diddy" Combs' arrest and underground tunnels being destroyed by the fires circulated on TikTok (Rolling Stone).
• Misleading Budget Narratives: Social media and outlets like Fox News falsely accused Mayor Karen Bass of slashing the LAFD budget, ignoring the context of new contracts and increased firefighter salaries. Bass refuted these claims, stating that budget cuts did not impact firefighting capabilities (Inside Climate News, Mother Jones).
• Racialized Looting Concerns: Although officials warned about looting, online rhetoric often took a racist tone, with a viral (and debunked) tweet falsely accusing men of looting based on a news clip showing homeowners evacuating (Rolling Stone).

3. Role of Social Media:

• Elon Musk's Influence: Musk's use of X to amplify far-right narratives and attack individuals based on their identity highlights how his platform has become a megaphone for his own political views (The Washington Post).
• Amplification of Misinformation: X, once a hub for breaking news, has become less reliable due to reduced fact-checking and the prioritization of paid conservative accounts (The Washington Post).
• Lack of Context: The spread of out-of-context information about the LAFD budget and the Delta smelt demonstrates how misinformation can flourish in the absence of accurate, nuanced reporting (Inside Climate News).

This underscores the dangerous intersection of natural disasters and the spread of misinformation. As climate change intensifies extreme weather events, the need for accurate, reliable information will only grow more urgent.

2024: A Year of Record-Breaking Heat and Climate Impacts

The overarching theme is clear: 2024 was the hottest year on record globally, exceeding the 1.5°C warming threshold outlined in the Paris Agreement for the first time and bringing a cascade of extreme weather events

• Record-breaking Temperatures: 2024 was the hottest year on record globally, surpassing 2023's record. Global temperatures were 1.6°C warmer than the pre-industrial level (1850-1900) according to Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), and 2.3°F warmer than NASA's 20th-century baseline (1951-1980) according to NASA's analysis. (Copernicus, NASA, UN, NPR, Al Jazeera)
• 1.5°C Threshold Exceeded: The global average temperature exceeded the 1.5°C warming threshold set by the Paris Agreement for the first time, although exceeding it in a single year does not mean the agreement has been breached. (Copernicus)
• Record Warmth Throughout the Year: Every month from January to June 2024 was warmer than the corresponding month in any previous year. July and August saw the hottest day and summer on record, respectively. (Copernicus, Al Jazeera)
• Warmest Decade on Record: The past 10 years
• Human Activities Driving Warming: Scientists attribute the warming trend to the release of heat-trapping greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane from human activities, primarily the burning of fossil fuels. (NASA)
• Climate Change Impacts contributed to extreme weather events across the globe, including:
• Heat Waves: Extreme heat events were widespread, with many regions experiencing "strong" or even "extreme" heat stress.
• Floods: Heavy rainfall events caused widespread flooding, such as in Nigeria, Europe, and Australia.
• Wildfires: Prolonged dry conditions fueled devastating wildfires in Canada, South America, and other regions.
• Hurricanes: Warmer ocean temperatures intensified hurricane activity, with Hurricane Beryl in the Atlantic becoming the earliest Category 5 hurricane on record.
• El Niño: A strong El Niño event in 2023 Reduced Aerosol Emissions: Changes in shipping regulations led to a reduction in sulfate aerosols in the atmosphere
• Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai Volcanic Eruption: The 2022 volcanic eruption injected water vapor into the atmosphere

SoCal Wildfire Tips from Evacuation to Air Quality - January 9, 2025

Situation: Multiple wildfires, including the Palisades Fire, are raging across Southern California fueled by strong winds and low humidity. Tens of thousands of residents have been ordered to evacuate, with over 1,000 homes and structures destroyed.

Urgent Actions:

• Evacuate immediately if ordered: Residents in affected areas must evacuate without delay when instructed by officials. Do not wait for the fire to approach. ("California fire evacuations- How to prepare, what to pack and what to do if you'.pdf")
• Sign up for emergency alerts: Stay informed about fire spread, evacuation orders, and other critical information by signing up for alerts from Cal Fire, LA County, and Ventura County. Utilize resources like the Watch Duty app for real-time updates. ("How to Stay Safe as Fires Sweep Southern California - The New York Times.pdf")
• Protect yourself from smoke: Minimize exposure to wildfire smoke by staying indoors, closing windows, and running air purifiers. If going outside is necessary, wear an N95 mask. ("How to protect yourself from the smoke caused by L.A. wildfires - Los Angeles Ti.pdf", "Wildfire smoke poses health hazard in LA - NPR.pdf")

Health Impacts:

• Respiratory Issues: Wildfire smoke can trigger asthma attacks, exacerbate COPD, and cause other respiratory problems.
• Cardiovascular Risks: Smoke exposure can worsen heart conditions and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
• Long-Term Effects: Studies suggest a link between wildfire smoke exposure and an increased risk of dementia. Evacuation & Shelter Resources:

• Evacuation Centers: Multiple evacuation centers are open, including Westwood Recreation Center, El Camino Real Charter High School, and Pasadena Civic Center. ("Palisades fire- Evacuations, road closures, shelters, forecast - Los Angeles Tim.pdf", "SoCal wildfire evacuation centers - ABC7 Los Angeles.pdf")
• Animal Shelters: Dedicated shelters are available for small and large animals at various locations throughout the affected areas. ("Palisades fire- Evacuations, road closures, shelters, forecast - Los Angeles Tim.pdf", "SoCal wildfire evacuation centers - ABC7 Los Angeles.pdf")
• School Closures: Many schools in Los Angeles and surrounding areas are closed due to evacuations, air quality, and safety concerns. LAUSD is providing meal distribution at select locations for students. ("Palisades fire- Evacuations, road closures, shelters, forecast - Los Angeles Tim.pdf")

Further Information:

• Cal Fire website: https://www.fire.ca.gov/
• LA County Emergency website: https://lacounty.gov/emergency/
• Air Quality Information: https://www.airnow.gov/ and https://www.arb.ca.gov/
• Watch Duty App: Download from app stores
• FEMA Shelter Locator: Text “SHELTER” and your ZIP code to 43362