The Los Angeles area is known for its severe wildfires, particularly in autumn. However, as author Rebecca Solnit explains, such catastrophic fires were not always typical. She argues that a new era began in 2017, when climate change and decades of misguided land management came together to ignite fires on an unprecedented scale. Solnit and her loved ones lost homes filled with memories, places they can never return to. However, the region’s vulnerability is not only due to climate conditions. The long suppression of the natural fire cycle has made fires far more destructive. California’s ecosystems have always depended on periodic burns for renewal. Preventing these smaller fires has allowed vegetation to build up, turning landscapes into fuel for massive blazes. For decades, climate scientists and fire experts have warned that rising temperatures, prolonged drought and Santa Ana winds would increase the risk. When developing the area, civic institutions should have taken this into account, yet they have often ignored these warnings. As Solnit points out, Los Angeles has also suffered from underinvestment in infrastructure and water systems, leaving fire departments underprepared. Remembering past disasters is therefore essential. Forgetting, as Solnit reminds us, creates vulnerability to misinformation, poor planning and repetition of preventable tragedies. Protecting lives in the future will require solutions that respect both human needs and the natural role of fire in California’s landscapes.
