The Kenneth Fire ignited late Thursday afternoon (Friday AEDT) in the San Fernando Valley, only 3.2 kilometers away from a school that was being used as a shelter for people evacuated from another fire.
It moved into neighbouring Ventura County but a large and aggressive response by firefighters stopped the flames from spreading.
State seeing a longer fire season
Recent data indicates that California’s wildfire season is now starting earlier and lasting longer because of increasing temperatures and reduced rainfall associated with climate change.
The prolonged dry spells, including the infamous Santa Ana winds, have been causing higher-than-normal temperatures in Southern California. The region has received less than 2.5 millimeters of rain since early May, exacerbating the fire risk.
Some losses feel greater than others
Robert Lara sifted through the remains of his home in Altadena on Thursday with tears in his eyes, hoping to find a safe containing a set of earrings that once belonged to his great-great-grandmother.
“All our memories, all our sentimental attachments, things that were gifted from generation to generation to generation are now gone,” he said.
