The weather provided relief for crews working to contain wildfires, though rain over a burn area ups the chances of flooding and mudslides

As Los Angeles reels from the loss of lives and homes to the Easton and Palisades fires, scientists are asking why the events of this January have been so catastrophic.

Climate change was a major factor behind the hot, dry weather that gave rise to the devastating LA fires, a scientific study has confirmed. It made those weather conditions about 35% more likely, according to World Weather Attribution - globally recognised for their studies linking extreme weather to climate change.

Climate change caused by human activity increases the risk of devastating fires, like the ones in Los Angeles, California,according to the World Weather Attribution (WWA) network. The fires left at least 29 dead and thousands homeless.

The hot, dry, and windy conditions that drove the fires were about 35% more likely due to warming caused primarily by the burning of oil, gas, and coal, said the new analysis by 32 climate scientists

Human-caused climate change worsened the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, a new study has found. Fossil fuel burning reduced rainfall, dried out vegetation, and increased the overlap between flammable drought conditions and strong Santa Ana winds,