5 sources·Science

Climate Change Significantly Heightens Wildfire Risks in Southern California

A study confirms that human-caused climate change increased the likelihood of extreme wildfire conditions in Southern California by 35%.

The distribution of story sources: left-leaning (blue), center (light gray), and right-leaning (red).
Reliable
The underlying sources consistently report facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
Balanced
The underlying sources are either a balanced mix of left and right or primarily centrist.
  1. Conditions that fueled L.A. fires were more likely due to climate change, scientists find

    The recent fires in the Los Angeles area are a stark reminder of how climate change intensifies the conditions that fuel such disasters, underscoring the urgent need for action to combat global warming.

    Conditions that fueled L.A. fires were more likely due to climate change, scientists find

    NBC NewsNBC News·2M
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  2. LA fires made worse by climate change, say scientists

    The scientific evidence strongly indicates that climate change has significantly increased the likelihood of the devastating LA wildfires, suggesting a dire need for action to combat the ongoing rise in temperatures and its catastrophic effects.

    LA fires made worse by climate change, say scientists

    BBC NewsBBC News·2M
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  3. Study says climate change made conditions that fed California wildfires more likely, more intense

    Despite the complex causes of the Southern California wildfires, the undeniable impact of human-induced climate change looms large, intensifying the fire risks and making the region's devastating conditions more frequent.

    Study says climate change made conditions that fed California wildfires more likely, more intense

    Associated PressAssociated Press·2M
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  4. Climate triple whammy boosted risk of LA fires, study shows

    The recent devastating wildfires in LA serve as a stark reminder that without urgent action to combat climate change, California’s vulnerability to such disasters will only escalate.

    Climate triple whammy boosted risk of LA fires, study shows

    The GuardianThe Guardian·2M
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Leans Left
    This outlet slightly leans left.
  5. Climate change made LA fires far more likely, study shows

    The findings of this study underscore the increasing severity of wildfires in the Los Angeles area, illustrating how climate change is not just a future concern but an ongoing crisis that has significantly altered weather patterns and fire risks.

    Climate change made LA fires far more likely, study shows

    AxiosAxios·2M
    Reliable
    This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
    ·
    Center
    This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
  1. NBC News
  2. BBC News
  3. Associated Press
  4. The Guardian
  5. Axios
Jan 28th, 2025, 7:02 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

A recent report from World Weather Attribution states human-induced climate change has raised the likelihood of fire conditions in Southern California by 35%. Contributing factors include intense Santa Ana winds, a dry autumn post-wet years resulting in flammable vegetation, and hot weather which together have led to at least 29 fatalities and the destruction of over 16,000 structures. The study highlights that the dry season has extended by 23 days, heightening the chances of wildfires coinciding with seasonal winds. Researchers emphasize that climate change plays a critical role in worsening the conditions for these devastating fires.

Perspectives

Compare opinions on this story from liberal (Left), conservative (Right) or center-leaning news organizations.

No center-leaning sources available for this story.

History

A summary of how this story has evolved over the last 24 hours.
  • 2M