These Maps Show Just How Dry Southern California Is Right Now
In early January, soil moisture in much of Southern California was in the bottom 2 percent of historical records.
Southern California is extremely dry, and that’s fueling fires − maps show just how dry
Southern California started out the 2024-25 water year pretty dry. The region got some rain from an atmospheric river in November, but not much. After that, most of the atmospheric rivers that hit the West Coast from October into January veered northward into Washington, Oregon and Northern California instead.
How Santa Ana winds fueled the deadly fires in Southern California
The Santa Ana winds occur when there is high pressure to the east, in the Great Basin, and a low-pressure system off the coast. Air masses move from high pressure to low pressure, and the more extreme the difference in the pressure, the faster the winds blow. Topography also plays a role.
Southern California wildfires fueled by climate change, expert says
The devastating wildfires tearing across Southern California are being exacerbated by climate change, according to Drew Peltier, an assistant professor of ecolo
Fire hydrants ran dry in Southern California just when they were needed most
The water system used to fight the Palisades fire in Los Angeles buckled under the demands of what turned out to be the most destructive fire in city history, with some hydrants running dry as they were overstressed without assistance from firefighting aircraft for hours early Wednesday.
Why are winter wildfires happening in Southern California?
Experts explain why Southern California is experiencing its most devastating winter wildfires in decades and what this could mean for the future of fire seasons.
Maps show how dry the Southern California is, as L.A. wildfires burn
Dry conditions across Southern California set the stage for a series of deadly wind-driven wildfires that burned thousands of homes and other structures in the Los Angeles area in early January 2025.
Why hydrants ran dry as firefighters battled California's deadly fires
Firefighters in Pacific Palisades and Altadena have repeatedly been hampered by low water pressure and dry hydrants, revealing limitations in local water systems designed to supply neighborhoods.
Dry climate, extreme winds driving severity of California fires
Those deadly wildfires in southern California... are proving tough to contain. CBC News International Climate Correspondent Susan Ormiston explains why the climate conditions, coupled with the current weather,
Hydrants ran dry in California, highlighting a major problem in fighting wildfires
News of some of the hydrants goinew dry prompted a swirl of criticism on social media against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and Gov. Gavin Newsom’s water management policies, including from President-elect Donald Trump.
Hey, Gold Rushers: Southern California found gold first! And we’re still looking.
Ah, but — and you should remember this for “Jeopardy!” — the Golden State’s first documented gold strike happened here, in ...
Officials Warn of ‘Devastating Loss’ as Southern California Wildfires Burn Out of Control
Parts of Santa Monica were ordered to be evacuated as fast-moving flames destroyed homes along the coast in Los Angeles.
Southern California fire weather expected to linger. What does that mean for air quality?
After the fires get under control, wind could help push some particles out of the air, as will gravity with some larger ...
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The University of California announces record-breaking enrollment
UC is serving more Californians, more community college transfer students and more underrepresented students than ever before ...
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The clear links between the California wildfires and climate change
Many factors come together to cause massive, devastating fires. Two of those factors have especially clear links to climate change.
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Support for Students, Alumni, Friends and Loved Ones in Southern California
As we watch the devastating scenes coming out of Southern California, our thoughts are with all who are impacted by the wildfires, particularly those members of the Seattle University family who ...
Palisades Fire devastates LA County, jumps in size as winds batter Southern California
Tens of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes as a brush fire in the Pacific Palisades grew to more than 20,400 ...
AI helps spot an unreported vegetation fire in remote Southern California
A vegetation fire in a remote part of Orange County was burning unreported and unnoticed last month until officials were pinged by artificial intelligence, according to authorities. The Orange County ...