Los Angeles residents are facing uncertainty regarding the total damage caused by the recent wildfires. A critical federal program that provided essential data for assessing climate-related disasters, including wildfires, was shut down before researchers could fully analyze the January fires. This program, responsible for maintaining a comprehensive climate disaster database, was abruptly discontinued by the Trump administration.
Sources reveal that researchers were instructed not to share preliminary data on the Los Angeles wildfires. Furthermore, they were told to cease updating the climate disaster database, a vital resource for understanding the economic and social impacts of such events. The shutdown leaves a significant gap in understanding the full scope of the damage, including property loss, environmental impact, and long-term health consequences.
Without this crucial data, local authorities and residents are struggling to accurately assess the situation. This lack of information also impacts future planning and resource allocation for wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts. Experts warn that the absence of this research could lead to inadequate preparedness for future climate-related disasters in the region.
LA Wildfire Damage Assessment Delayed After Federal Cuts
The full extent of damage from recent wildfires in Los Angeles remains unclear due to the shutdown of a federal disaster research program. Researchers were instructed to withhold data on the January fires and halt updates to a key climate disaster database. This program, crucial for estimating wildfire impact, was discontinued by the previous administration. The lack of this data hinders accurate damage assessment and future preparedness efforts.
Source: Read the original article at NBC