In this month’s wind-driven wildfires in Southern California, evacuation alerts for some neighborhoods came long after homes were aflame.

The Jan. 25 death is the 12th fatality connected to the Palisades Fire, while another 17 are attributed to the Eaton Fire, officials said

The return of the rain in Los Angeles has triggered Flash Flood Warnings, mudslides and debris flows in burn-scar areas, forcing officials to close roads and schools in the region.

Extreme conditions helped drive the fast-moving fires that destroyed thousands of homes in the Pacific Palisades and Altadena.

As Los Angeles reels from the loss of lives and homes to the Easton and Palisades fires, scientists are asking why the events of this January have been so catastrophic.

Climate change was a major factor behind the hot, dry weather that gave rise to the devastating LA fires, a scientific study has confirmed. It made those weather conditions about 35% more likely, according to World Weather Attribution - globally recognised for their studies linking extreme weather to climate change.