Perspectives: West Coast Wildfires and Climate Change

After weeks of heatwaves with record-breaking temperatures, wildfires have popped all along the west coast of the U.S. According to the National Weather Service, the heat exacerbated by a high-pressure system and a weak sea breeze caused a "kiln-like effect." The Sierra Nevada fire over the weekend burned a record 2.2 million acres, likely amplified by dry forests and high temperatures. Some studies suggest that these conditions are a result of climate change. Media Matters reported that only 4% of broadcast news wildfire coverage during the month of August mentioned climate change. Some voices from the left drew a direct connection between the fires and climate change. Coverage from several right-rated outlets framed the story as Democrats taking the fires as an opportunity to push their environmental agenda.