Climate Change and Hurricane Helene Drive Rising East Coast Wildfires

Story Summary

Recent Georgia wildfires and a record 88% increase in U.S. fire acreage this year highlight a shift toward more intense eastern blazes. Scientists attribute this to climate change drying fuel, a severe drought, and millions of dead trees from Hurricane Helene. Experts warn that warmer temperatures and the wildland-urban interface in the Southeast are creating difficult-to-control fires, prompting new research networks to address the growing threat.