Climate change made LA wildfires worse, says study

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🗞️ Driving the news: A new study confirms that climate change made the January Los Angeles wildfires 35% more likely by intensifying drought conditions and extending fire-prone weather
• Researchers found that hot, dry, and windy conditions were 1.35 times more likely due to global warming
• The fires killed at least 29 people and destroyed over 10,000 homes, making them the most destructive in LA’s history

🔭 The context: Wildfire seasons in California traditionally ended with October-December rains, but climate change has made these rains less frequent, increasing fire risks well into winter
• The study by World Weather Attribution analyzed weather data and climate models, confirming that fossil fuel-driven warming is worsening wildfire conditions
• Investigators are also examining Southern California Edison’s potential role in sparking the deadly Eaton Fire

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The study warns that if global temperatures rise to 2.6°C (4.7°F) by 2100, January wildfires in LA will become 35% more likely
• Reduced winter rainfall and stronger fire weather conditions mean California will continue facing longer and more intense wildfire seasons
• Without a rapid transition away from fossil fuels, scientists predict hotter, drier, and more flammable conditions in the future

⏭️ What's next: Experts remain uncertain about how climate change will impact Santa Ana winds, which intensify fires by drying and spreading flames
• While some models predict a decline in these winds, others suggest extreme events could persist
• California must prepare for more erratic weather swings, as "precipitation whiplash"—shifts between extreme wet and dry conditions—becomes more common

💬 One quote: “Without a faster transition away from planet-heating fossil fuels, California will continue to get hotter, drier, and more flammable.” — Clair Barnes, Imperial College London

📈 One stat: Low rainfall from October to December is now 2.4 times more likely, extending fire-prone conditions into winter

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