Part 2/10:

To comprehend the severity of the current fire disaster, one must consider the geographical context. The Los Angeles area, particularly the Pacific Palisades neighborhood, is nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the vast desert inland. The considerable expanse of varied landforms — from oceanfront to mountains soaring nearly 10,000 feet above sea level — creates a complex interaction of air masses. When high-pressure weather systems linger over the region, they can induce very hot, dry winds, facilitating the perfect conditions for wildfires.