Conditions that fueled L.A. fires were 35% more likely because of climate change, scientists find

Main Idea: World Weather Attribution found that climate change made the hot, dry, windy conditions behind the Los Angeles fires about 35% more likely.

Key Points:

• The report said the fire weather in the Los Angeles area is now expected about once every 17 years, compared with once every 23 years without climate change.
• Scientists said the fires were fueled by a mix of dry weather, strong winds, lots of burnable brush, and many possible human ignition sources.
• The study said climate change is not the only cause, and local factors like development in fire-prone areas also helped the fires spread.
• Researchers said the link between climate change and the Santa Ana winds is still uncertain, even though warmer conditions have raised fire risk overall.