Wildfires devastate Los Angeles

LINDSEY ZARKA
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

NAYONIKAA SINGHAAL
STAFF WRITER

1/20/2025

As the country mourns the devastating wildfires ravaging California, the danger still lingers for Los Angeles residents. In 2025, these fires have reached unprecedented levels, claiming the lives of at least 25 people, forcing 130,000 residents to evacuate their homes, and destroying over 2,000 structures. The wildfires are not just a local issue for California; they represent a global environmental crisis that speaks to the growing urgency of climate change. While we in Michigan may feel distant from the flames, the reality is that the consequences of these fires are far-reaching and touch communities everywhere. 

“I visited California during the last break, and it’s truly heartbreaking to see how the lives of friends I made there, as well as the countless people I met, have been completely uprooted by these fires,” said Wassim Guerfali (‘27), a student at Alma College. His sentiment reflects a growing concern among many, as climate-related disasters like these begin to reshape communities both near and far. 

Scientists have long warned that rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and intense heatwaves—conditions that make wildfires more frequent and deadly—are the direct results of climate change. For those of us in Michigan, it can be easy to feel disconnected from California’s struggles, but the effects of these fires don’t stop at state borders. 

In fact, the 2023-2024 winter was the warmest Michigan has experienced in recorded history, a clear signal that global warming is affecting our own weather patterns. While California suffers from extreme wildfires, Michigan faces increasingly unpredictable. These changes serve as a reminder that no one is immune to the impacts of climate change. 

In response to this global crisis, there is a growing sense of urgency among young people, especially students at Alma College, who are committed to making a difference. The college’s Leaders for Environmental Awareness, Protection, and Sustainability (LEAPS) Club is at the forefront of raising awareness about climate change and advocating for sustainable practices. 

“The California wildfires are yet another reminder of how harmful climate change is for the environment and vulnerable human populations. Heated temperatures and climate-related events have been exacerbated by climate change for far too long,” said Lottie Carman (‘25), the Public Relations and Social Media Chair for LEAPS. 

Her words echo the sentiment of many who see the wildfires as both a tragedy and a warning and stressed the urgency of the situation, “As we watch families’ lives become devastated from the loss, now more than ever is a time to take action to mitigate,” said Carman. 

Beyond campus discussions, many Alma College students also spend their summers volunteering with environmental organizations, engaging in efforts ranging from wildfire prevention to water conservation, all while working to make a tangible difference in communities impacted by climate-related disasters. 

“They’ve destroyed homes, harmed air quality, devastated ecosystems, and led to the loss of life. To address this, we must prioritize long-term solutions that require bold policies on the local, state, and national levels,” Mallory Fenskie (‘26), a climate advocate at Alma College. 

The wildfires in California are a stark reminder of the destructive power of climate change—and the fact that no one is immune.