Part 4/10:
When considering climate-related phenomena, the role of atmospheric conditions cannot be overstated. Prince describes how air, when it descends from high elevations, undergoes compression. This process generates increased temperatures and reduced humidity, akin to heating air with a bicycle pump. The descent of cold air down the slopes of the San Gabriel Mountains not only raises temperatures by 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit but also exacerbates the aridity of the environment.
This form of descending wind can effectively act like a hair dryer, further dehydrating the already susceptible vegetation. The interplay of topography and atmospheric dynamics brings about swift elevation changes, creating turbulence and magnifying wind strength, enhancing the danger posed by wildfires.