Heat waves increase wildfire risk – a new study explains how much, and it’s not a small number

Heat waves do more than dry out vegetation that can easily burn. They also play a role in lightning strikes, particularly dry lightning.

By: Dmitri Kalashnikov, University of California, Merced; Cong Yin, University of California, Merced; Madhulika Gurazada, University of California, Merced, and Mukesh Kumar, University of California, Merced, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: June 17, 2026

Words: 906

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By Dmitri Kalashnikov, University of California, Merced; Cong Yin, University of California, Merced; Madhulika Gurazada, University of California, Merced, and Mukesh Kumar, University of California, Merced

When heat waves hit the Western United States, the risk of wildfires quickly rises. The prolonged heat dries out vegetation, but that’s only part of the cause – heat waves also play other roles in spreading wildfires.

In a new study, our team of fire and

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