In the wake of multiple wildfires that have torched tens of thousands of acres of Los Angeles County, local firefighters and first responders have received support from across the world.

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.

L.A. had a significant temperature drop, with an average of 50 degrees—8.6 degrees lower than the historical five-year average.