The California wildfires that have caused significant damage across Los Angeles County have also ignited debate as to who, if anyone, is to blame for the blazes.
Incoming President Donald Trump criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and the state’s leadership, suggesting that better forest management and infrastructure maintenance could have prevented the disasters. Others believe that climate change contributed to the severity of the wildfires, pointing to drought conditions and severe Santa Ana winds as the cause.[i]
The economic losses of the Los Angeles fires, which have burned over 20,000 acres, destroying over 12,000 houses and buildings, are estimated to exceed $50 billion. As of January 15, 180,000 residents have been forced to evacuate while another 200,000 have been warned that they might also have to leave their homes. The wildfires have killed at least 26 people.[ii]
Despite their devastating impacts, wildfires have historically been underprioritized compared to other security threats such as terrorism or cyberattacks. A report by the Environmental and Energy Study Institute highlighted that the annual cost of wildfire suppression in the U.S. has exceeded $2 billion in recent years, yet federal budgets and strategic planning often allocate fewer resources to wildfire mitigation than other national security concerns.[iii] Wildfires are perceived as natural disasters rather than threats that can disrupt critical infrastructure, displace large populations, and strain national resources, but the crisis in Los Angeles may change this view.
Fires and Fault Lines: The Political Blame Game Over California Wildfires
The California wildfires have not only caused widespread destruction but have also become a focal point for political posturing. Trump mocked Newsom’s handling of the fires, suggesting that the state prioritized environmental policies over fire management. By framing the wildfires as a failure of state governance, Trump aims to bolster his narrative of federal superiority and Republican competence in crisis management. This approach also reflects broader partisan divides over climate policy and disaster preparedness.[iv]
Some analysts claim that decades of poor decision-making have significantly exacerbated the wildfire crisis in California. Bureaucratic delays in implementing critical water storage projects and controlled burns have further compounded the problem. Despite the known risks, controlled burns — an effective tool to reduce fuel loads — have been underutilized due to regulatory and logistical barriers. Meanwhile, funding cuts to fire departments have undermined their ability to prepare for and respond to emergencies, leaving communities vulnerable.[v] Collectively, these missteps reflect a systemic inability to address the root causes of wildfires, intensifying their frequency and impact in a region increasingly threatened by climate change.
Budget constraints have also left fire departments under-resourced. Recent cuts to overtime pay and civilian support positions reduced the capacity for fire prevention and emergency response. Los Angeles City Fire Chief Kristin Crowley emphasized that these limitations severely hindered the department’s ability to manage large-scale emergencies. Despite these challenges, over 7,500 firefighters have been deployed to combat the ongoing blazes.[vi]
Prominent Democrat politicians and academics have responded by pointing out that the southwestern United States has experienced its driest 22-year period in over a millennium, leaving vegetation parched and highly flammable and extended the fire season. Prolonged droughts and warmer temperatures have left forests and grasslands highly susceptible to ignition.
A research study has highlighted the increasing intensity and frequency of Santa Ana winds, which fuel the rapid spread of wildfires. Such winds, often reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, propelled the flames across vast swaths of land, rendering containment efforts nearly impossible in some areas.[vii]
The fires occurred in areas characterized by the wildland-urban interface-areas where natural vegetation meets urban development — has increased the likelihood of fires igniting and spreading to densely populated neighbourhoods. This mix of natural and human-made fuel sources created an ideal environment for the fires to thrive. Narrow, winding roads in these areas also hindered evacuation efforts and delayed firefighting operations.[viii]
Systemic Failures and Firestorms: Challenges in Combating California's Wildfires
Efforts to contain the wildfires faced significant obstacles. The strong winds grounded water-dropping helicopters, forcing firefighters to rely solely on ground resources.
Compounding the problem, fire hydrants in key areas like Pacific Palisades ran dry due to overwhelming demand on the local water system. The water tanks supplying these hydrants were drained faster than they could be refilled, leading to critically low water pressure. Some communities experienced power outages, which disabled pumps needed to refill water tanks.[ix] Firefighters in Altadena and Pasadena reported similar difficulties, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in urban water infrastructure.
Despite pre-positioning firefighting crews in high-risk zones, the sheer scale and intensity of the fires overwhelmed available resources. Firefighters faced shortages of water, equipment, and personnel, as multiple large blazes erupted simultaneously. These limitations reduced the effectiveness of suppression efforts and prolonged the fires’ destructive impact.[x]
Aging infrastructure, particularly power lines, remains a common source of wildfire ignition. While lightning is typically the most frequent cause of wildfires, investigations into the Palisades and Eaton Fires suggest possible utility-related sparks or other accidental causes.[xi]
The wildfires in Los Angeles have also raised significant concerns, prompting investigations into their origins and leading to arrests for looting in the affected areas. Multiple factors are being scrutinized, including the potential of arson as a possible cause, with a suspect apprehended near the West Hills area after being caught allegedly using a blowtorch to ignite a fire.[xii]
The investigation into whether this incident is linked to other fires is ongoing. In the aftermath of the devastation, law enforcement has arrested at least 20 individuals for looting homes destroyed by the fires, exacerbating the distress of displaced residents[xiii]. To restore order, authorities have implemented curfews and deployed the National Guard to secure the evacuated areas.
After the Smoke Clears: L.A. Disaster Highlights a Need for a New Approach
Wildfires have emerged as a significant security challenge in the United States, with recent catastrophic events such as the 2020 Oregon wildfires, which burned over a million acres, and the 2018 Camp Fire in California, which became the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the state's history. The 2023 wildfires in Maui, Hawaii further demonstrated the severity of this threat, destroying the historic town of Lahaina, displacing thousands, and resulting in significant loss of life.[xiv] These incidents exemplify the growing frequency and intensity of wildfires, driven by climate change, drought, and expanding human development into fire-prone areas.
The recent California wildfires stand out due to their unprecedented intensity, speed, and geographical spread. Unlike past wildfires, which were often confined to specific rural or semi-rural areas, these blazes have spread rapidly into densely populated urban regions, such as the Hollywood Hills and Pacific Palisades.
The economic ramifications of wildfires are immense. The destruction of homes, businesses, and infrastructure leads to billions of dollars in losses. On the insurance front, the wildfires have strained California’s insurance market. Major insurers have scaled back or halted issuing policies in high-risk areas, forcing many homeowners to rely on the state’s FAIR Plan, which offers limited coverage. The economic losses, estimated to exceed $50 billion, highlight the financial vulnerability of residents and the systemic risks to the insurance industry.[xv]
The health impacts of the wildfires are both immediate and long-term. Wildfire smoke, a major source of air pollution, contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing respiratory and cardiovascular problems. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has warned of increased risks for heart attacks, strokes, and exacerbation of chronic conditions such as asthma.[xvi]
The psychological toll of wildfires is equally concerning. Many individuals experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression following significant personal or community losses. The stress of evacuations, the destruction of homes, and the disruption of daily life contribute to a profound sense of loss and insecurity.[xvii] Vulnerable populations, including low-income residents and those without adequate insurance, are particularly at risk for long-term mental health challenges.
To mitigate the growing threat of wildfires, California must prioritize investments in fire-resilient infrastructure and proactive risk-reduction strategies. Enhancing water storage systems, such as installing larger tanks and high-capacity pipelines, would bolster the state’s ability to respond to fires more effectively. Additionally, burying power lines in fire-prone regions could significantly reduce the risk of ignition, despite the high financial costs. While California’s fire-resistant building codes set a national standard, their application to new constructions limits their overall impact. Incentivizing the retrofitting of older buildings with fire-resistant materials could further reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen community resilience against future wildfires.[xviii]
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in the INSIGHTS publication series are those of the individual contributors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Rabdan Security & Defense Institute, its affiliated organizations, or any government entity. The content published is intended for informational purposes and reflects the personal perspectives of the authors on various security and defence-related topics.
[i] Shear, Michael, ‘Trump Blames California’s Governor, and His Water Policy, for Wildfires’, New York Times, January 08, 2025, Trump Blames California Governor Gavin Newsom for Deadly Fires - The New York Times
[ii] Baldwin, Sarah Lynch, Emily Mae Czachor, Jordan Freiman, and Brian Dakss, 'Fires Live Updates: "Extremely critical fire weather" forecast for Southern California, L.A.', CBS News, January 15, 2025, L.A. Fires Live Updates: "Extremely critical fire weather" forecast for Southern California
[iii] EESI, ‘At Over $2 Billion in Suppression Costs—2017 Stacks Up to Be Costliest Wildfire Season’, September 15, 2017, At Over $2 Billion in Suppression Costs—2017 Stacks Up to Be Costliest Wildfire Season | Article | EESI
[iv]Bendix, Aria, ‘Trump makes misguided accusations about California water management amid wildfires’, NBC News, January 11, 2025, Trump makes misguided accusations about California water management amid wildfires
[v] Stevens-Rumann, Camille and Jude Bayham, ‘Forest Service warns of budget cuts ahead of a risky wildfire season – what that means for safety, ‘, UNDRR, February 16, 2024, USA: Forest Service warns of budget cuts ahead of wildfire season | PreventionWeb
[vi] Walrath-Holdridge, Mary, 'Inmates are fighting California wildfires: When did it start, how much do they get paid?', USA Today, January 13, 2025, Inmate firefighters: What to know about their role in California fires
[vii] Tsui, Wen, ‘Climate change fuels rapid spread of L.A. wildfires’, Xinhua, January 13, 2024, Climate change fuels rapid spread of L.A. wildfires-Xinhua
[viii] Poon, Linda and Magdalena Del Valle, 'More Americans Are Living in the Riskiest Wildfire Zones,' Bloomberg, January 9, 2025, Eaton, Palisades Blazes Show Dangers of Living in Wildfire Zones: CityLab Daily - Bloomberg
[ix] Tarrant, Rhona, 'Fire hydrants ran dry due to extreme demand in Pacific Palisades, officials say,' CBS News, January 08, 2025, Fire hydrants ran dry due to extreme demand in Pacific Palisades, officials say - CBS News
[x] Irfan, Umair, ‘An even bigger threat is looming behind California’s fires’, Vox, January 14, 2025, California fires: The real story of California’s water problems | Vox
[xi] White, Jeremy, ‘Many of California’s Most Destructive Fires Were Caused by Power Lines’, New York Times, January 13, 2025, What Causes California Fires? Power Lines Can Be a Contributor. - The New York Times
[xii] Fox 11, ‘Woodland Hills residents stop man with blowtorch who may be connected to Kenneth Fire, officials say’, January 09, 2025, Woodland Hills residents stop man with blowtorch who may be connected to Kenneth Fire, officials say | FOX 11 Los Angeles
[xiii] Arkin, Daniel and Rich Schapiro, ‘L.A. officials say looters 'targeting vulnerable communities' will be held accountable,’ NBS News, January 09, 2025, L.A. officials say looters 'targeting vulnerable communities' will be held accountable
[xiv] Earth.Org, ‘Unprecedented Scale: Exploring the Largest Wildfires in US History’, March 02, 2024, 17 Largest Wildfires in US History | Earth.Org
Shamim, Sarah, ‘How big are the California wildfires – and why have they spread so quickly?’, Al Jazeera, January 09, 2025, How big are the California wildfires – and why have they spread so quickly? | Climate News | Al Jazeera
[xv] Adamczyk, Alicia, 'Homeowners in California could pay a surcharge of $1,000 or more if FAIR Plan runs dry,' Fortune, January 14, 2025, California homeowners could be on the hook for $1,000 or higher surcharge if FAIR Plan runs dry | Fortune
[xvi] Salahi, Lara, ‘Health impact of California wildfires to be felt for years to come’, Association of Health Care Journalist, January 09, 2025, Health impact of California wildfires to be felt for years to come | Association of Health Care Journalists
[xvii] Schmall, Emily and Katie Mogg, ‘Wildfires Can Leave Lasting Psychological Scars’, New York Times, January 09, 2025, The Lasting Mental Health Toll of the California Wildfires - The New York Times
[xviii] Muhs, John W et al, 'Wildfire Risk Mitigation: A Paradigm Shift in Power Systems Planning and Operation', Open Access Journal of Power and Energy, Volume 7, 2020, pp.366-375, IEEE Xplore Full-Text PDF:
