Los Angeles wildfires intensified by effects of climate pollution, study finds

A UCLA analysis suggests Los Angeles’ recent wildfires burned hotter and spread faster due to fossil fuel-driven climate change, which contributed to drier conditions and more fuel for the flames.

Angela Fritz reports for CNN.

In short:

• The study attributes 25% of available fire fuel to climate change, though it notes the fires likely would have happened regardless.
• Southern California saw two unusually wet winters followed by a dry summer and fall, creating abundant vegetation that dried out and became fuel.
• The fires were also fueled by a rare, strong Santa Ana wind event, though researchers say these winds are not clearly linked to global warming.

Why this matters:

As climate change fuels more severe weather patterns, extreme wildfires may become harder to control, posing risks to homes and communities across fire-prone regions.

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