Los Angeles has always had a complex relationship with fire. The Mediterranean climate, with its dry summers and fierce Santa Ana winds, creates perfect conditions for wildfires. As the city continues to grow alongside wilderness areas, understanding this relationship becomes increasingly crucial for every resident.
I remember before I was in Mortuary School I was a pet sitter. I was responsible for dozens of little lives in northern Los Angeles County. One year during summer break a fire broke out in the mountains, and the fire was coming right for our community. It was a particularly busy pet sitting week for me, with multiple families on vacation. When the fire came close to our community, I had called each family on their vacation to notify them that I would have to evacuate their pets as well as my own pets and I had the ability to grab any important documents, but that their living family members are my priority. That moment showed how prepared we all need to be for any situation. It was scary, and the fire was coming. The fire ended up stopping a block away from where we were. That was too close for comfort.
Why Los Angeles Burns: Understanding Our Fire Ecology
Southern California’s natural landscape is designed to burn. The chaparral ecosystem, dominated by drought-resistant shrubs and small trees, has evolved with fire as a natural part of its lifecycle. Many native plants actually require fire to reproduce, dropping seeds that lie dormant until flames sweep through.
The infamous Santa Ana winds, which typically arrive in autumn, can transform a small fire into an unstoppable force within hours. These hot, dry winds from the desert can gust up to 70 mph, pushing flames across landscapes and showering embers miles ahead of the main fire.
Historic Fires That Shaped Our City
Several major fires have left lasting impacts on Los Angeles and changed how we approach fire management. The 2018 Woolsey Fire burned nearly 97,000 acres across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, destroying 1,643 structures and leading to three fatalities. This fire highlighted the increasing danger of wind-driven fires in our urban-wildland interface.
The 2009 Station Fire, the largest fire in Los Angeles County’s recorded history, scorched over 160,000 acres of the Angeles National Forest. It demonstrated how fires in our mountain ranges can threaten both wilderness areas and nearby urban communities.
There are currently five fires in Southern California at this moment. The Palisades Fire alone has burned over 17,000 acres in two days with no stopping. Even though it’s acerage is smaller than others, the homes and businesses that were destroyed, based on where they are, make this the most destructive fire in Los Angeles history. The National Guard, fire fighters from other US states, and even other countries, have flown in to assist.
The Fire is not discriminatory. It does not care how much money you make or not, how famous you are or not, how historic the home is or how long you’ve lived there. The fire takes it away.
Helping Children Cope with Fire Season
Children are particularly vulnerable to the emotional impact of wildfires. The sight of smoke-filled skies, the sound of emergency alerts, and the possibility of evacuation can create significant anxiety and stress. At Pollen, we understand these challenges and offer specialized resources to help children process their feelings about wildfires and other natural disasters.
We have developed age-appropriate materials that help children understand fire safety while managing their fears. Through storytelling and guided discussions, we create safe spaces for children to express their concerns and learn resilience strategies.
Children often feel more secure when they understand what’s happening and have a role in their family’s preparation plans. Including children in age-appropriate aspects of emergency preparedness, such as packing their own emergency comfort bags or helping to create family communication plans, can help them feel more in control of their situation.
For families seeking support in helping children cope with fire-related stress, visit Pollen.
