Climate change linked

to more destructive fires

In professor Donald Anthrop’s letter “Sierra’s western slope poised for disaster” he cites three primary causes of California’s disastrous wildfires: fuel accumulation from fire suppression, increased building in fire-prone areas and lax building codes. All true.

Sadly, he also slams environmentalists and discounts the role of climate change in our ever-growing fire problem. Many recent scientific studies, including ones from the Union of Concerned Scientists and Yale Climate Connections, clearly show the direct links of climate change to more frequent and destructive fires. Ever-hotter temperatures, shortened rainy seasons and changing wind patterns create tinderbox conditions throughout the state.

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Steve Hams

Los Altos

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