Alex Hall for Associated Press—AP photos show the terror of Southern California wildfires and the crushing aftermath

UCLA climate scientist Alex Hall discusses the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires in Southern California for Associated Press, sharing how climate change exacerbates conditions like strong winds and flame-adapted vegetation that fuel devastating blazes. He emphasized the inevitability of wildfires in the region, stating, “It’s never a question of ‘if’ but rather ‘when’ and ‘how big.’”

Hall highlighted the widespread impacts of these fires, including the loss of lives, homes and ecosystems, as seen in the recent Mountain Fire. Residents often face heartbreaking decisions about what to save, with many returning to sift through ashes for remnants of their past. The article underscores the urgent need for climate action to mitigate such disasters’ destructive effects.