The fires in California have become one of the hottest topics in recent days, sparking a wave of discussion around the world. Covering the entire area of Los Angeles in California, they became not just an ecological disaster, but also an occasion for a global rethinking of approaches to combating natural disasters. At least 24 dead, hundreds of thousands of evacuees, thousands of houses destroyed by flames – these current figures emphasize the scale of the tragedy. World media not only cover the events, but also analyze the reasons that made these fires so destructive and offer scenarios to prevent similar disasters in the future.
World observers agree that climate change has become a key factor that has exacerbated the problem of fires. High temperatures, drought and strong winds created ideal conditions for the fire to spread. However, in the background of discussions about global warming, another topic is raised – the role of human negligence. Some publications point to improper land use, lack of effective fire prevention infrastructure, and neglect of preventive measures.
The Independent – Great Britain. London’s The Independent is not surprised by the scale of the fires:
“If you build in floodplains, the areas will be regularly flooded. If you build in earthquake-prone areas, destruction is inevitable. If you build on hills overgrown with scrub and vulnerable to drought and strong winds, there will be fires. What is unclear here?
And you know, we’re not even talking about climate change yet! Wildfires were breaking out in California even before the onset of global warming. Yes, the increase in air temperature has increased the danger of fires, but all the prerequisites for the horror that we are currently witnessing in Los Angeles appeared much earlier.”
taz, die tageszeitung – Germany. Such disasters could have been avoided, states the Berlin TAZ:
“There are those who are guilty, and they must be named. Among those who are exacerbating the climate crisis are the super-rich with their unrestrained lifestyles. But, of course, also business, in particular – mining companies, receive profits at the expense of the planet.
And the politicians who sit idly by are to blame. But no one will be left out, because politicians are elected, and company products are consumed. The responsibility to ensure that the climate crisis does not deepen further lies with all of us.”
Il Manifesto – Italy. The Il Manifesto portal indicates that the increase in anthropogenic influence in ecologically vulnerable regions cannot end in anything good:
“This time it was not an earthquake, but a catastrophe of a different order, and it raised the inevitable question of the sustainability of a development model based on unfettered growth in a fragile and vulnerable region. All in all, in extreme climates, the limits of this stability have already been reached. In this sense, the thousands of people who lost the last days of their homes and the more than a hundred thousand people who had to be evacuated can be considered climate refugees.”
El País – Spain. Madrid’s El País hopes that the authorities will draw the appropriate conclusions:
“One of the problems is the unattractive use of the tragedy for political purposes, and the right is engaged in this. … Republicans are troubled by California’s environmental policy, which became a bone of contention during Trump’s first term.
… The fact is that despite all its difficulties, California in the United States is a leader in understanding the problem of climate change – including because California is directly affected by it, and very seriously. And today, in the midst of horror and grief, we can only hope that the lessons learned from this disaster will serve to fight even more decisively [with the consequences of climate change] in the coming difficult years.”
Liberation – France. Nature takes revenge on the rich and beautiful to the same extent as it does on everyone else – notes the editor-in-chief of the newspaper Libération, Dov Alfon:
“This natural disaster was also a harbinger of political disaster – the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who immediately accused California Governor and Democrat Gavin Newsom of diverting water resources intended for Californians to save endangered fish disappearance. Here he is referring to a new Colorado River water management plan that has nothing to do with firefighting.
… The fire raging in Hollywood only demonstrates that neither wealth, nor beauty, nor fame can save us from nature, which takes revenge for our inaction.”
Сursorinfo – Israel. The Israeli news portal “Cursor” writes:
“Meanwhile, conspiracy theorists are back in the spotlight. Some are convinced that aliens or Chinese were the cause of the fires. In support of their versions, they cite videos showing strange objects that look like drones, rockets or bright flashes. The network is actively discussing that it could be aliens or the Chinese who caused the fires in California.
Donald Trump also joined the discussions, who, although he has not yet taken office, has promised to punish all those responsible if he is re-elected. He also stated that if the involvement of extraterrestrials is confirmed, they will definitely be dealt with.
Until Trump officially took office, his main activity is limited to criticizing the current government on Twitter. Many recalled that the problems with fires in Los Angeles were discussed as early as the summer of 2024. The work of the fire services at that time was accompanied by serious mistakes, and measures to prevent fires were not effective enough.”
