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Authors:
Vivian Sultan
Diego Sanchez
Leonardo Ortiz
Keywords: Wildfire; ArcGIS; California
Abstract:
This study examines how recent climatic variability and vegetation dynamics may have contributed to fuel conditions preceding the 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfires in Los Angeles County. Using precipitation records from 2020–2025 and Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer‑ derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) datasets, the study entailed analyzing rainfall anomalies, spatial rainfall distribution, and vegetation changes in and around the two fire perimeters. Results show that 2023 was an exceptionally wet year, with rainfall far exceeding the preceding and following years, particularly in the Altadena region. However, despite this anomalous precipitation, NDVI analyses revealed only limited vegetation recovery in 2023 and 2024, suggesting the landscape did not respond with the expected greening. Instead, vegetation remained in a marginally healthy state, creating persistent dry biomass that likely increased fuel availability. In the Palisades region, vegetation appeared healthier in 2023 but showed signs of drying in 2024, consistent with reduced regional precipitation. These findings highlight that extreme rainfall does not necessarily translate into sustained vegetation recovery and may instead contribute to elevated wildfire risk when followed by rapid drying. Understanding these climatic and ecological interactions is essential for improving proactive wildfire-mitigation strategies in high‑risk areas.
Pages: 5 to 9
Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2026
Publication date: March 8, 2026
Published in: conference
ISSN: 2308-412X
ISBN: 978-1-68558-357-6
Location: Valencia, Spain
Dates: from March 8, 2026 to March 12, 2026