Increasing hydroclimatic whiplash can amplify wildfire risk in a warming climate
Swain, D. L., Abatzoglou, J. T., Albano, C., Brunner, M., Diffenbaugh, N. S., et al. (2025). Increasing hydroclimatic whiplash can amplify wildfire risk in a warming climate. Global Change Biology, doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70075
| Title | Increasing hydroclimatic whiplash can amplify wildfire risk in a warming climate |
|---|---|
| Genre | Article |
| Author(s) | Daniel L. Swain, J. T. Abatzoglou, C. Albano, M. Brunner, N. S. Diffenbaugh, C. Kolden, A. Prein, D. Singh, C. B. Skinner, T. Swetnam, D. Touma |
| Abstract | This article discusses the devastating wildfires that occurred in Los Angeles County, Southern California, on January 7-8, 2025. The Palisades and Eaton fires caused significant loss of life, property destruction, and are expected to be the costliest global wildfire disaster on record. The article explains the ecological and climatic factors contributing to wildfire risk in coastal southern California, including Mediterranean climate patterns and Santa Ana winds. It highlights how climate change exacerbates wildfire severity globally, while also noting the importance of non-climatic factors such as urban expansion and land use decisions. The authors emphasize the effectiveness of local interventions, including improved building codes, fuel reduction, and fire-aware planning. The article concludes by stressing the need for extensive risk-reducing measures to increase community fire resilience in the face of growing climatological fire potential. |
| Publication Title | Global Change Biology |
| Publication Date | Feb 1, 2025 |
| Publisher's Version of Record | https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.70075 |
| OpenSky Citable URL | https://n2t.net/ark:/85065/d7df6wk0 |
| OpenSky Listing | View on OpenSky |
| MMM Affiliations | MMMAO |