As climate change warms the planet, wildfires have become so unpredictable and extreme that new words were invented: firenado, gigafire, fire siege — even fire pandemic. California has 78 more annual “fire days” — when conditions are ripe for fires to spark — than 50 years ago.

Industry officials warn of widespread economic damage on par with some of the biggest fire disasters in recent memory.

Firefighters began to slow the spread of deadly and devastating fires in the Los Angeles area Thursday after the ferocious winds that drove the fast-moving flames diminished, but the largest blazes still burned out of control.

After months of anticipation, La Niña has officially arrived, the Climate Prediction Center announced Thursday. But even before its official start, the precursors of La Niña had already set the stage for dangerous fire conditions in Southern California.

As fire crews battle major blazes in the Los Angeles area, Northern California remains largely free of wildfire risk thanks to a stark contrast in weather patterns. Recent months have brought normal to above-average rainfall to much of Northern California,