Does Climate Change Cause Wildfires?

Climate change increases the risk of the hot, dry weather that is likely to fuel wildfires. Dr Prichard says: "Extreme fire weather events including increased lightning and strong winds, are also becoming more common under climate change."

How does climate change affect wildfires?

Climate change enhances the drying of organic matter in forests (the material that burns and spreads wildfire), and has doubled the number of large fires between 1984 and 2015 in the western United States. ... Increased drought, and a longer fire season are boosting these increases in wildfire risk.

Are California wildfires caused by climate change?

As the toll from California's wildfires grows higher year after year, the state's future appears fiery and hazy with smoke. More than half of the acres burned each year in the western United States can be attributed to climate change. ...