LA Wildfires and the Misinformation Storm

1. The Fires Themselves:

• Driven by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds reaching 100 mph and dry conditions due to an aggressive dry season, the fires are the most destructive in the city's history (Rolling Stone).
• At least five people have died, over 130,000 residents have been evacuated, and over 2,000 structures have been burned (Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Times).
• Over 7,500 fire personnel have been deployed, but containment remains a challenge (California Gov. Gavin Newsom).
• The fires are likely exacerbated by climate change, creating conditions ripe for rapid spread and ignition (Inside Climate News).
• Water infrastructure faced unprecedented strain with some fire hydrants running dry due to extreme demand, not budget cuts (Inside Climate News).

2. Politicization and M ...