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Is the Climate Crisis to Blame for the California Wildfires?

Is the Climate Crisis to Blame for the California Wildfires?

"When the Santa Anas blow, anything can happen"

Alexander Verbeek's avatar
Alexander Verbeek
Jan 08, 2025
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Is the Climate Crisis to Blame for the California Wildfires?
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Pacific Palisades today (photo by Wes Nichols on X, adding “Our politicians failed us”)

I first learned about Santa Ana winds some two decades ago when Jack Black looked deep into the eyes of Kate Winslet, removed an eyelash from Iris' eye, and taught her a bit about the Californian climate:

"The wind... it's what makes it so warm this time of year. Legend has it, when the Santa Anas blow, anything can happen."

I had to search for the exact phrase on the internet, but it's not far from the line I remembered from the movie. It's just weeks past the Christmas movie season; I'm sure you'll understand.

“Anything can happen”

Today, Santa Ana is blowing again, the site of the movie's filming is ablaze, and the police officer's briefing about the LA wildfires that I just heard was merely a more extended version of 'anything can happen.'

California Governor Gavin Newsom's video message today was slightly off the 'anything can happen' script; without mentioning climate change specifically, it was more like 'this can happen anytime.'

Newsom said:

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