Southern California faces a growing wildfire threat but remains unprepared

Southern California continues to experience devastating wildfires, but residents remain surprisingly unprepared despite living in one of the nation's most disaster-prone regions.

Conor Friedersdorf reports for The Atlantic.

In short:

• Wildfires have recently burned almost 200 square miles, forcing evacuations and destroying homes across Southern California.
• Surveys show that a majority of Californians are not prepared for natural disasters, even though many recognize the risks.
• The region's mild climate may lead to a false sense of security, with residents often forgetting the dangers between fire seasons.

Key quote:

“Los Angeles County scores 100 out of 100, making it the riskiest locale in the nation.”

— ClaimGuide report

Why this matters:

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and destructive, yet public preparedness lags behind. This ongoing lack of preparation leaves the region vulnerable not only to fires but also to secondary disasters like mudslides, which can follow in burned areas during the rainy season.

Related EHN coverage:

• How do wildfires impact your health?
• LISTEN: Carlos Gould on wildfire smoke and our health
• Global study: Wildfire smoke kills people in cities far from fires