California Wildfires Are Five Times Bigger Than They Used to Be
Summer fires in the state consume several times more area than they did a few decades ago, scientists say, an increase driven largely by climate change.
A structure burns behind a charred vehicle on Jerseydale road during the Oak Fire in Mariposa County, California, on July 23, 2022.
Photographer: David Odisho/BloombergThe extent of area burned in California’s summer wildfires increased about fivefold from 1971 to 2021, and climate change was a major reason why, according to a new analysis. Scientists estimate the area burned in an average summer may jump as much as 50% by 2050.
Days after wildfire smoke from Canada turned skies orange along the US Eastern Seaboard, the study is further confirmation of past research showing that higher temperatures and drier conditions in many parts of the world make wildfires more likely. Wildfires worsened by greenhouse gases emitted by human activities tore through Australia in 2019 and 2020 and Siberia in 2020.