The recent fires in Los Angeles have taken the entire world by surprise. Within a week, the fires were dubbed “the most costly natural disaster in world history.” However, the true costs of the disaster go far beyond monetary value.

California is not new to the constant threat of fires imposed on our wildlife. In past years, fires have burnt through hundreds of thousands of acres of forest and remote areas. However, the LA fires possessed a distinct difference: they ravaged neighborhoods. On January 7th, massive fires started engulfing LA. Powered by heavy winds and coupled with dry conditions, the fires, spanning over 23,000 acres, ended up killing 29 people, becoming one of the most deadly fires in California history.

 The fires left rubble in place of countless homes, causing economic losses of around 50 billion dollars. Officials across LA had warnings about the deadly combination of high winds and drought, but very few took it seriously. As a result, many LA residents were in vulnerable situations, unprepared for the fires. For those who have lost their family members, pets, homes, and fortunes, it seems impossible to rebuild their lives. 

Mitty alumni Alice Kang (‘24) notes that “A lot of people…have lost their homes, belongings, and essentially their livelihood.” She explains how she had to evacuate from her school as the fires approached the UCLA campus. With midterms coming up, she, like many of her other classmates, feels highly stressed due to the disrupted class schedule over the last few weeks. 

Mitty alumni Terena Nguyen (‘24) had similar experiences. She moved in temporarily with her friend while her school was under evacuation orders. She recalls the fear and sheer helplessness her friend and family faced as the fire crept closer and closer to their family home. “I witnessed my roommate filming every inch and corner of her room…[to]…receive insurance payouts in case the fire engulfed her home, which, fortunately, didn’t happen,” she remembers.

But not everyone was so lucky. “I know of one chemistry professor who lost everything in the fire and only had the clothes he had worn to lecture that Wednesday,” Terena continued. And he’s not the only one who’s suffered a total loss. Tens of thousands are facing a similar situation, with their entire livelihoods ripped away. 

These harmful effects of the LA fires are not to be without blame. In the cooler months of the year, the risk of wildfires in the Los Angeles region increases with the presence of strong Santa Ana winds. However, these risks are usually nullified by the arrival of the rainy season in October. So what was the difference this year? Since May of 2024, the county of LA has seen only 0.16 inches of rainfall and experienced the hottest summer in over 100 years, creating the perfect climate for a major wildfire. 

As each year passes, we hear more and more superlatives about the climate: “The Hottest August in 175 Years”, and “The Driest Month On Record”. And the perpetrator of these extremes is climate change. In relation to precipitation in LA specifically, climate change has caused the shifting of wind patterns and ocean currents amongst a variety of other factors. These changes can cause certain areas of the world to experience far too little precipitation, long before the region has had enough time to adapt. 

Yet, as climate conditions have worsened, those that are responsible have refused to take responsibility. Fossil fuel companies deny their role in the climate crisis. They deceive the public about the safety of their products while knowingly generating massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions, while knowingly being the largest contributors to global warming.

Corporations such as ExxonMobil, Chevron, and Shell lobby heavily for pro-oil policies, prioritizing their own profit over the health and safety of citizens. And their lobbying has worked. Their push for political benefits played a crucial role in the “Water’s Edge election”.

The Water’s Edge tax policy has allowed the oil industry to dodge up to $146 million in taxes annually. In a time when California consistently faces budget shortages, climate protection and wildfire preparedness programs have faced major spending cuts that are largely influenced by the combined loss of billions in revenue from Water’s Edge. 

Fire prevention programs are considered one of the most meaningful ways to prevent wildfires, strengthening the fire resistance of flora and improving infrastructure. Now, budget cuts have taken away many of these protections. The end result of these Water’s Edge tax breaks is $146 million more for an industry that earns over $83 billion a year in profits while the rest of the state burns to a crisp. The rich continue to line their pockets while thousands of devastated livelihoods pay the price.

Given that extreme fires have doubled in the last 20 years, it’s clear that the likelihood of facing a life-threatening fire is higher than ever. Preparedness is critical, and it saves lives. Alice expresses this best, explaining that “A lot of times, these situations you hear on the news feel far away, but there may be a time when these events are closer than you think.”

From her experience evacuating from UCLA during the recent LA fires, she recommends packing a bag early on. Essentials include copies of important documents (e.g. birth certificates, passports), enough water and non-perishable food to last at least three days, medication, and extra cash and credit cards. 

Some of the preparation can even be done before the fire even starts. Creating a solid plan to follow in the event of a fire is extremely important. A few key aspects to incorporate include a rendezvous location and at least two exit points per room.

Although these fires may seem far away and out of reach, that doesn’t mean we can’t help. In times of disaster, donations are always needed. Because donation centers are often overwhelmed with clothing and food (with no capacity to sort through it), it’s better to donate money instead so it can be distributed where the need is greatest.

Organizations such as the American Red Cross Organization, which is focused on providing immediate aid such as food and shelter are a good place to start. Other places such as Habitat for LA are also good choices, providing more long-term help through housing repairs and resources for those displaced by the fires.

As Terena asserts, “I do hope that—per the Mission Statement—every Mitty student walks out of high school with a little more compassion and empathy for others, for you never know when something as tragic… [as] …this will happen to you.” In times like this, it’s crucial to lend a helping hand to those who are suffering. Anyone can help, but it’s those who do so sincerely that truly make a difference.