As climate change warms the planet, wildfires have become so unpredictable and extreme that new words were invented: firenado, gigafire, fire siege — even fire pandemic. California has 78 more annual “fire days” — when conditions are ripe for fires to spark — than 50 years ago.

Industry officials warn of widespread economic damage on par with some of the biggest fire disasters in recent memory.

Los Angeles County is experiencing changes in fire behavior first-hand as wild, uncontrollable flames engulf California during what has historically been a wet winter season.

As fire crews battle major blazes in the Los Angeles area, Northern California remains largely free of wildfire risk thanks to a stark contrast in weather patterns. Recent months have brought normal to above-average rainfall to much of Northern California,

California's wildfire season typically peaks in summer and fall, but the Los Angeles region is now grappling with its largest wildfire in history during the winter. The unusual timing has raised questions about climate factors and how the state's changing weather patterns are influencing fire seasons.

Approximately 85% of wildfires in the US are human-caused, stemming from unattended campfires, equipment malfunctions, worsened by climate change.

Tens of thousands of people have been evacuated after flames quickly engulfed huge swathes of the Pacific Palisades area.