Recent devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles County were made more severe by climate change, according to a new scientific analysis by World Weather Attribution (WWA).
The January fires, which claimed 29 lives and destroyed over 16,000 structures across 40,000 acres, emerged from a perfect storm of dangerous conditions - including extreme Santa Ana winds, delayed winter rains, and abundant dry vegetation.
While climate change didn't directly cause the blazes, researchers found it dramatically increased the likelihood of such catastrophic fire conditions. The analysis revealed that hot, dry conditions conducive to fires are now 35% more likely compared to the late 1800s, when temperatures averaged two degrees cooler.
"Climate change is making already dangerous fire conditions even worse," said Clair Barnes, a WWA researcher at Imperial College London. "The dry season now extends about 23 days longer, increasingly overlapping with Santa Ana wind season."
The study highlighted a concerning "weather whiplash" pattern, where extremely wet periods promote vegetation growth, followed by intense dry spells that turn that growth into fire fuel. This volatile cycle is becoming more pronounced with global warming.
The research team also identified infrastructure challenges that hampered firefighting efforts. Local water systems, designed for routine structural fires, proved inadequate for the unprecedented demands of these fast-moving infernos. Despite having some of the nation's most rigorous wildfire policies and an experienced firefighting force, Los Angeles found itself overwhelmed by recent blazes that exposed gaps in the region's preparedness.
"As extreme fire weather becomes more common with climate change, communities need more robust water infrastructure," noted Roop Singh, a climate risk advisor at the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre.
Both the Palisades and Eaton fires are now over 95% contained, though their ignition sources remain unknown. However, the scientists warn that without rapid reduction in fossil fuel use, California faces an increasingly hot, dry and fire-prone future.
The analysis was conducted by 32 international researchers using peer-reviewed rapid assessment methods. Their findings underscore how climate change is elevating wildfire risks not just in California, but in fire-prone regions worldwide.