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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
World
Eric Holthaus

The Los Angeles wildfires are climate disasters compounded

bench with flames and smoke in the background
The Eaton fire burns a bus stop in Altadena, California, on Wednesday. Photograph: Ethan Swope/AP

An exceptional mix of environmental conditions has created an ongoing firestorm without known historical precedent across southern California this week.

The ingredients for these infernos in the Los Angeles area, near-hurricane strength winds and drought, foretell an emerging era of compound events – simultaneous types of historic weather conditions, happening at unusual times of the year, resulting in situations that overwhelm our ability to respond.

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