Los Angeles, home to over half a million Filipinos, is once again under siege by wildfires. With at least five major blazes raging across Palisades, Eaton, Altadena, Hurst, Lidia, and Kenneth, more than 30,000 people have already been forced to flee their homes. Among them are many Filipino caregivers and domestic workers who, in a double burden, must evacuate not only themselves but also their patients.

The fires, fueled by California’s prolonged drought and the infamous Santa Ana winds, have destroyed homes—including those of celebrities and athletes—leaving a scar on one of America’s most vibrant cities. And while the immediate focus is, rightly, on containing the flames and ensuring people’s safety, the bigger question remains: Why does this keep happening?

A Perfect Storm of Environmental Factors
Wildfires in California are not new, but their intensity and frequency have escalated in recent years. The state’s worsening drought has left vegetation bone-dry and highly flammable, turning trees and underbrush into kindling for the flames. Los Angeles has not seen significant rainfall since May, and without enough moisture to hydrate the parched land, fire risks have skyrocketed.

The Santa Ana winds, another key player in this crisis, are notorious for fanning wildfires. These strong, dry gusts strip any remaining moisture from vegetation, making fires easier to ignite and nearly impossible to control. This latest wind event, described as one of the most powerful of the season, is particularly alarming given that it’s occurring in the heart of what is supposed to be California’s wet season.
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“This drives home the point that we must learn to live with wildfire,” says Alex Hall, director of UCLA’s Sustainable LA Grand Challenge. But is “learning to live with wildfire” truly the answer—or is there more we should be doing to prevent these disasters in the first place?

Climate Change and Urban Expansion: A Deadly Mix
Scientists and environmental experts point to two major factors exacerbating the wildfire crisis: climate change and unchecked urban development.

Crystal Raymond, deputy director of the Western Fire and Forest Resilience Collaborative, explains that as global temperatures rise, vegetation becomes drier and fire seasons extend later into the year. This is not just a California problem—wildfires have been intensifying worldwide, from Greece to Australia, as climate change accelerates extreme weather patterns.

But the problem is not just about climate change. It’s also about where and how we build. Large swaths of land that were once natural vegetation have been transformed into commercial and residential developments, encroaching into fire-prone areas. This expansion not only increases the number of people at risk but also eliminates natural firebreaks, allowing blazes to spread more rapidly.

The Human Toll: Filipinos on the Frontlines
For Los Angeles’ Filipino community, the wildfires represent more than just a natural disaster—they are a personal crisis. Many Filipino immigrants work in caregiving, a profession that demands 24/7 dedication. When wildfires strike, they don’t just evacuate themselves; they are responsible for the elderly, the sick, and the disabled under their care.

The National Alliance for Filipino Concerns has reported multiple cases of caregivers being forced to flee with their patients, carrying only what they can. The wildfires have also destroyed homes, leaving many families uncertain about where they will go next.

What Comes Next?
While emergency responders battle the flames, California must confront the bigger picture: How can we prevent these disasters from worsening year after year?

Investing in Fire Prevention: This includes better forest management, controlled burns to clear dry vegetation, and improved firefighting infrastructure.

Climate Action: Without aggressive policies to curb greenhouse gas emissions, wildfires will only become more severe.

Smarter Urban Planning: Limiting construction in fire-prone areas and reinforcing homes with fire-resistant materials can help reduce devastation.

For now, Los Angeles burns, and thousands of residents—including Filipino caregivers and domestic workers—are left wondering when, or if, they will be able to return home. The time for action is now.
Otherwise, the question is not if another wildfire will strike, but when.(Tambuli Ng Bayan-Ronnie Estrada)