Current:Home > FinanceAP photos show the terror of Southern California wildfires and the crushing aftermath-InfoLens
AP photos show the terror of Southern California wildfires and the crushing aftermath
View Date:2024-12-23 11:40:57
Before the wildfire comes a decision: what to save. It often comes down to “the smallest things,” Dawn Deleon told ABC7. The Mountain Fire destroyed her house in Ventura County, California this week.
Cats, dogs and horses. Family photos and SD cards and mementos. A single bag of clothes.
It’s a choice becoming ever more common as human-caused climate change adds fuel to the destructive wrath of wildfires around the world, especially in already fire-prone landscapes like Southern California, with its strong Santa Ana winds that rustle flame-adapted vegetation.
The power of fire is evident. Palm trees turn to silhouettes against a raging orange wall. Firefighters push a vintage car through a haze of smoke. A woman clutches a scarf to her masked face as she leads her horse away from a burning hillside. Towering blazes strip homes to their foundations.
“It’s never a question of ‘if’ but rather ‘when’ and ‘how big’ when it comes to wildfires in Southern California,” said Alex Hall, director of UCLA’s Center for Climate Science. He called the impact on lives, livelihoods and ecosystems “truly devastating.”
The flames forgive little. Lucky residents escape with their lives and the few things that matter most. The unlucky lose the irreplaceable.
Often residents must return to sift through ash and rubble. Every now and then comes a surprising remnant — like a teapot with the word “blessed” in soot-covered cursive.
___
The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
veryGood! (783)
Related
- California Gov. Gavin Newsom will spend part of week in DC as he tries to Trump-proof state policies
- John Mulaney and Olivia Munn have a second child, a daughter named Méi
- Pennsylvania college investigates report of racial slur scratched onto student's chest
- AIT Community: AlphaStream AI For Your Smart Investment Assistant
- Full House Star Dave Coulier Shares Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Diagnosis
- For Christopher Reeve's son Will, grief never dies, but 'healing is possible'
- Georgia holds off Texas for No. 1 spot in latest US LBM Coaches Poll
- You'll Flip Over Learning What Shawn Johnson's Kids Want to Be When They Grow Up
- Princess Kate makes rare public appearance after completing cancer chemo
- Boy abducted from California in 1951 at age 6 found alive on East Coast more than 70 years later
Ranking
- 'Joker 2' actor pans DC sequel as the 'worst film' ever: 'It has no plot'
- Jalen Carter beefs with Saints fans, is restrained by Nick Sirianni after Eagles win
- YouTube rolling out ads that appear when videos are paused
- Josh Gad opens up about anxiety, 'Frozen' and new children's book 'PictureFace Lizzy'
- Keke Palmer Says Ryan Murphy “Ripped” Into Her Over Scream Queens Schedule
- MLB playoffs home-field advantage is overrated. Why 'road can be a beautiful place'
- Climbing car sales, more repos: What's driving our 'wacky' auto economy
- Selena Gomez Explains Why She Shared She Can't Carry Her Own Child
Recommendation
-
Mason Bates’ Met-bound opera ‘Kavalier & Clay’ based on Michael Chabon novel premieres in Indiana
-
What to know about cortisol, the hormone TikTokers say you need to balance
-
Microsoft announces plan to reopen Three Mile Island nuclear power plant to support AI
-
Is Teen Mom Alum Kailyn Lowry Truly Done Having Kids After 7? She Says…
-
Trump's election has women swearing off sex with men. It's called the 4B movement.
-
Milton Reese: Stock options notes 3
-
Lionel Messi sparks Inter Miami goal, but James Sands' late header fuels draw vs. NYCFC
-
Proof Gisele Bündchen's Boyfriend Joaquim Valente Is Bonding With Her and Tom Brady's Kids