Wildfires ravaged huge swaths of Los Angeles in January, razing neighborhoods, killing at least 29 people, and forcing tens of thousands more to evacuate their homes. Two of the largest blazes—the Palisades and Eaton fires—rank among the most deadly and destructive in California history. Hurricane-force winds, severe drought conditions, and low humidity all played a role in spreading the fires, scientists say. And a new study suggests that climate change is responsible for around 25 percent of the dried-out vegetation that made the blazes more intense. The sights of thick columns of smoke, eerie orange skies, and beloved landmarks in ashes—including some classic movie locations and historic buildings—have instilled a new sense of vulnerability in the city’s residents. As those affected by the fires begin a long process of recovery, experts are already starting to consider how to deal with future climate-related wildfires as they become more prevalent. Some are recommending prevention techniques such as restricting development in high-risk areas and spacing homes further apart. “One of the things that people talk about is, don’t let a disaster go to waste,” Stephen Miller, a professor at Northern Illinois University who specializes in land use and sustainable development, told NBC News. “This is the time to change.”