Climate change has likely contributed to the unprecedented wildfires that are raging through Southern California, research shows.

The California fires erupted amid extremely dry conditions. UCLA scientists say extreme heat linked to climate change was a factor in the fires' intensity.

Many factors come together to cause massive, devastating fires. Two of those factors have especially clear links to climate change.

In recent days, however, the region’s powerful Santa Ana winds—which have been fanning the flames—have begun to slow down. This lull has offered firefighters a reprieve and a key opportunity to make progress against the blazes, but forecasts suggest the Santa Ana will return next week. What are these gusts, and how have they become so strong?

LA fires live updates: Follow our blog for the latest updates on the situation in California ... at the Climate Council. He recalls experiencing fires fuelled by the Santa Ana winds.

The nature of the Santa Ana winds makes them perfectly suited to fueling blazes like the Palisades Fire, and climate change is increasing the risk

Climate change didn’t start the wildfires that are ravaging Los Angeles County this week. But the big swings in weather patterns that have accelerated over the past two decades serve as rocket fuel that intensifies the flames and spreads the devastation.

"What we have clear evidence of is that climate change is contributing to the warming ... RELATED: 5 fatalities confirmed as Southern California wildfires rage; 1,000+ structures destroyed The Santa Ana winds are driving these wildfires to spread even ...

Human-caused climate ... the Southern California region saw in recent years. Other factors in the fires’ intensities included high but “not entirely unprecedented” Santa Ana winds ...

What's happening in Los Angeles is another reminder of what life will be like, even in Wisconsin, under a changing climate.

Despite the finger-pointing about who is to blame for the spread of the LA fires, veteran climate writer Jeff Goodell believes no level of preparation could have fundamentally changed the trajectory of this disaster.