"This is a really complex, complicated and emergent issue that just hasn't been on the radar for mostly anyone, and so I just don't think that there is individual blame to go around at all," Faith Kearns, director of research communications at Arizona State University's Arizona Water Initiative, told NBC News of the water management issue. "Those were exceptional fire conditions that we're seeing in LA, drought, climate change and then these high winds."
Scientists say the unprecedented winter fires demonstrate how extreme climate swings, or 'whiplash' conditions, are intensifying to increase the likelihood of fires and other disasters.
According to some experts, even the most well-resourced fire agencies would have struggled immensely to control the infernos under this perfect storm of conditions.
State and local officials have faced questions about their preparedness for the fires and the hydrants that ran dry as local systems were pushed to extremes.
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