The Extreme Weather Conditions That Drove the Carolina Wildfires
1 min read
Summary
From the summer of 2024 through to March of the following year, the Carolinas experienced extreme weather events that created conditions for wildfires.
First, the region experienced a flash drought, which was followed by extreme flooding caused by Hurricane Helene in September.
This was followed by a return to drought conditions, meaning that summer and autumn rainfall came too late to rehydrate the soil and vegetation.
Spring winds then helped to spread the fires, which had been sparked by lightning or people.
While wildfires are historically common in the Carolinas, climate change is exacerbating the extreme weather that creates the conditions for wildfires to start and spread.
Increasing temperatures create more evaporation and more intense rainfall, as well as longer, arid periods.
This is further exacerbated by dense vegetation, which is in abundance in humid areas such as the Southeast, creating perfect conditions for wildfires to spread.
This creates a vicious cycle as, without controlled burns, the buildup of underbrush creates ideal conditions for more intense wildfires.
