The mountains and foothills of Los Angeles County are in “extreme drought” conditions, about 36% of the county, explained Pugh. That’s one category shy of hitting the highest level, “exceptional drought,” and three higher than the lowest, “abnormally dry.” The rest of the county is in severe drought.

Climate change isn’t the only driver of these fires, but it’s a key driver of wildfires in general — and of California wildfires in particular. Far from “natural,” disasters are inherently political.

Scientists are attributing the recent Southern California fires to climate change, citing a combination of environmental factors that have intensified the situa

As the narrative of the Southern California wildfires has shifted to identifying the causes behind what could prove to be the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history, a common refrain has emerged on social media that seeks to dismiss the role scientists say climate change played.

Rising housing, energy and insurance costs could force Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature to spend more money helping Californians live on a warming planet.

Wildfires in Los Angeles are being driven by climate change, not political mismanagement, and California’s leaders have taken meaningful steps to address the issue, but the sheer scale of

By 2020, as a result of California s recent extreme environmental and social policies the state lost 4 3 million acres to wildfires

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech ... fanned by whipping Santa Ana winds have sparked across Southern California this week, firefighters have continued to make significant ...

The 2025 wildfires in Southern California underscored the importance of having well-trained firefighting teams and readily available resources for rapid response.

State water restrictions, fueled by historic drought and climate change, have taken a toll on Southern California golf courses in recent years.

Today, the Los Angeles Times is launching Boiling Point, a podcast about climate change and the environment in California and the American West. Yes, that’s the same name as this newsletter. I hope you’ll subscribe and listen.