Honeycomb Headlines

Written by: Jordyn Boulay

Recently, Los Angeles has been hit by a string of dangerous wildfires, and it’s clear that the problem is getting worse. One of the biggest was the Canyon Fire, which started in the San Fernando Valley in late 2024. It burned more than 15,000 acres and forced thousands of people to evacuate. The fire spread so quickly because of dry conditions and strong winds, destroying homes and damaging important infrastructure. Then, just a few months later, in early 2025, another fire,  the Santa Clarita Wildfire, broke out, threatening both homes and businesses in the northern parts of the city. The frequency and severity of wildfires are increasing. The primary causes are climate change, hotter temperatures, and dry plants. Because there is so much fuel for fires to burn when everything is dry, they spread swiftly. The situation just becomes worse as the temperature rises. Fire seasons are becoming longer and more hazardous due to climate change.

These flames have a significant impact. In addition to destroying houses and businesses, they pollute the air with smoke. Children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues are particularly at risk from this.  Thousands have had to leave their homes, and many have lost everything. Los Angeles is at high risk because of its dry climate and the hills and brush around the city, which help fires spread quickly. As more people move into these areas, the danger only grows. Human activity also contributes—things like campfires, power lines, and even discarded cigarettes can start fires. When conditions are dry, even a small spark can quickly turn into a huge fire.

The city is taking action, but it’s a tough challenge. Firefighters are getting better equipment, and there are efforts to clear brush around homes to help prevent fires from spreading. The city is also improving warning systems and evacuation plans to help people get out quickly when fires start. There’s a big focus on educating residents about how to prepare for fire season—like clearing brush from around their homes and having emergency supplies ready. But despite all of these efforts, the problem is only getting bigger.

As wildfires become more of a year-round problem, Los Angeles and surrounding areas are working harder than ever to protect people and property from these devastating fires. Climate change is making things worse, and fire seasons are only getting longer and more unpredictable. While improvements in fire prevention and response are helping, the fight is far from over. For the people living in these areas, staying safe from wildfires is an ongoing challenge.