Death Toll Climbs In West Coast Wildfires Increasingly Blamed On Climate Change

Topline

The death toll from California’s massive wildfires rose to at least 20, the state said Saturday, amid media reports of dozens missing in fire-damaged Oregon as scores of wildfires continued to burn — many with 0% containment — from the Canadian to the Mexican border, and from the Rockies to the sea.

Key Facts

What To Watch For

The National Weather Service called for slight cooling along the Pacific Coast on Sunday when onshore flow increases. Temperatures are forecast to remain near seasonal averages through about the middle of next week, with more cooling likely late in the week. The chances increased for shower activity over the interior mountains as well.

Key Background

The fire season in California and across the West is starting earlier and ending later each year, according to Cal Fire, which said climate change is “considered a key driver of this trend.” California Governor Gavin Newsom continued to hammer at the climate change theme as he toured burned areas Friday, according to NBC adding: “The debate is over around climate change. Just come to the state of California. Observe it with your own eyes. It’s not an intellectual debate. It’s not even debatable any longer.” Warmer spring and summer temperatures, reduced snowpack, and earlier spring snowmelt create longer and more intense dry seasons that increase moisture stress on vegetation and make forests more susceptible to severe wildfire, according to Cal Fire. The length of the fire season is estimated to have increased by 75 days across the Sierras and seems to correspond with an increase in the extent of forest fires across the state, Cal Fire said.

Further Reading

Dozens still missing in Oregon as weather helps fire fight (Associated Press)

‘Sad, tragic loss for all Californians’: Death toll in state fires at 19 (Los Angeles Times)