The wildfires in the Los Angeles area have been devastating, destroying over 12,000 structures, causing tens of billions of dollars in damages and taking the lives of at least 24 people. Heavy criticism has poured in regarding the performance of Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and plenty of others. Heavy winds picked up again Monday, so the tragedy may be far from over.
What caused the fires? Theories have ranged from arson, sparking power lines, homeless encampments… you name it. Officials in Pacific Palisades, one of the worst hit areas, are looking strongly at one theory, however: that the massive wildfire there was caused by the reignition of a smaller fire that occurred on New Year’s Day.
The Post’s analysis of photos, videos, satellite imagery and radio communications, as well as interviews with witnesses, offers new evidence that the Palisades Fire started in the area where firefighters had spent hours using helicopters to knock down a blaze six days earlier.
Investigators from state and federal agencies descended on this area in recent days, interviewing residents and looking for evidence — including around the burn scar of the New Year’s Eve fire — of what sparked the blaze.
The Post’s analysis showed that the new fire started in the vicinity of the old fire, raising the possibility that the New Year’s Eve fire was reignited, which can occur in windy conditions, experts said.
The New Year’s fire is thought to have been started by human activity, as the area is frequented by hikers and teenagers.
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BREAKING: Palisades Fire has ‘human origins’ in hiking area near skull rock, popular spot for teens.
But I was told it was ‘climate change’ pic.twitter.com/AnP0tI8nwa
— TaraBull (@TaraBull808) January 13, 2025
Flare-ups from past fires are a known problem:
From Colorado to California to Hawaii, flare-ups of previous fires, known as reignition, have been the cause of some of the nation’s most catastrophic and deadly wildfires. This past summer, California officials coordinated a social media campaign to warn residents that terrain scorched but seemingly extinguished can spawn deadly new fires for weeks after the old ones appear to have gone out, as fire can smolder almost undetected underground or inside wood.
Authorities have not formally concluded that the past fire was the cause and are continuing their investigations. Even if it does turn out to be the source, however, it wouldn’t explain the catastrophic Eaton fire, which has pretty much destroyed Altadena, or the several other fires still burning in the region.
Incredible photo of an Altadena man bidding farewell to his home and holding tight to the symbol of freedom. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/KStFUAvYdU
— Joe Colangelo (@Itsjoeco) January 9, 2025
Many believe that so many fires breaking out simultaneously simply can’t be coincidental, and arson could be to blame.
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Whatever the cause, or causes, there’s one lesson to be learned—be better prepared next time.
