As Los Angeles recovers from its devastating wildfires, environmental engineers, urban planners and natural disaster experts are casting forward with visions of what could come next for neighborhoods that have been reduced to ash and rubble.

For more than a century, conservation policy has focused on economic development and wisely using natural resources.

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.

Thirty-two international researchers participated in a study that evaluated how climate change affected the fires that incinerated parts of Pacific Palisades, Altadena, Malibu as well as other areas of Los Angeles.

Extreme conditions helped fuel the fast-moving fires that destroyed thousands of homes. Scientists are working to figure out how climate change played a role in the disaster.