We all know about the Los Angeles wildfires by this point, but do you know how they started? Natural causes such as dry climate, lightning strikes, and climate change can be blamed for some of it, but has it ever occurred to you that some of the fires were started intentionally? Arsonists are once again to blame for devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, killing some communities and endangering others.
Just less than a week ago, Richard Alexander Peterson, 36, was accused of setting fire to a Christmas tree outside a South Gate motel. Peterson, a third-strike offender, faces 25 years to life in prison and is being held on $1.35 million bail. On the same day, Luis Felipe Gudino, 28, was accused of felony arson for allegedly igniting a couch behind a South Gate apartment building on January 13, 2025. The fire spread to a utility pole, causing significant damage. Gudino held on $350,000 bail, faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.
In conclusion, the recent wildfires in Los Angeles believed to have been deliberately set by arsonists have been spreading rapidly and causing danger to all citizens within the area. The resilience of Los Angeles in the face of such threats remains a testament to the strength of its people, but addressing the root causes of these intentional fires must remain a priority to make the future of LA safer.
