Researchers find that climate change made LA wildfires more likely

January’s deadly wildfires in Los Angeles were worsened by human-made climate change, according to a study by World Weather Attribution published on January 28.

The wildfires were analysed by a group of 32 researchers, who found that reduced rainfall and dried out vegetation, as well as increased overlap between flammable drought conditions and fast Santa Ana winds caused by climate change amplified the impacts of the ferocious wildfires.

In particular, the group of scientists determined through their research, weather data, and climate models that the hot, windy and dry conditions that fuelled the fires were about 35% more likely because of temperature warming primarily due to burning the fossil fuels of coal, gas and oil.

Moreover, the scientists warned that fire-prone conditions are expected to become a further 35% more likely if global warming rises by 2.6°C, which is the planet is currently on a trajectory to reach by 2100.

The scientists’ study also found that fire-prone conditions have extended by about 23 extra days each year.

“Drought conditions are more frequently pushing into winter, increasing the chance a fire will break out during strong Santa Ana winds that can turn small ignitions into deadly infernos,” stated Dr. Clair Barnes, a researcher for World Weather Attribution.

The wildfires broke out in Los Angeles on January 7, and as a result of strong Santa Ana mountain winds, spread rapidly through tinder-dry vegetation wreaking havoc on Southern California.

The wildfires, which are the costliest in US history, damaged over 10,000 homes and claimed the lives of at least 28 people.

In their report, the scientists also called for improving Los Angeles’ water system’s ability to support large-scale firefighting citing poor water infrastructure as a key factor in the inability of authorities to halt the rapid spread of the wildfires.