The study found that climate change paved the way for wildfires in Argentina and Chile

Buenos Aires, Argentina – Human-caused climate change has had an important impact on recent ferocious wildfires Swept through parts of Chile and Patagonia region in ArgentinaExtremely dangerous conditions that lead to widespread fires are three times more likely to occur than in a world without global warming, a team of researchers warned Wednesday.

Hot, dry and windy weather that feeds Deadly wildfires last month In central and southern Chile, the probability of fires has increased by almost 200% due to human-made greenhouse gas emissions, while the high-risk conditions that have led to fires Still racing through Southern Argentina has become 150% more likely, according to World Weather Attribution, a Scientific initiative Which investigates extreme weather events shortly after they occur.

The researchers added that this possibility will increase as humans continue to burn fossil fuels and cover the planet with more greenhouse gases.

The fires that tore through Chile Biobio and Ñuble areas In mid-January, 23 people were killed, more than 1,000 homes and other buildings were destroyed, and tens of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes. They were all Caused by human activityWhether by burning or neglect.

In southern Argentina, fires sparked by lightning for the first time led to the evacuation of thousands of tourists and residents and burned more than 45,000 hectares (174 square miles) of local forest, including vast tracts of forest. Los Alerces National ParkIt is a UNESCO World Heritage Site home to 2,600-year-old trees.

The study confirms what It was widely suspectedThis report provides the first scientific assessment of the role of global warming in intensifying some of the most dangerous wildfire emergencies sweeping Chile and Argentina in years.

It’s the latest in an emerging subfield of climate science known as weather attribution, which is rapidly developing in response to a growing thirst for public information about how climate change affects natural disasters.

The Global Weather Attribution report has not yet been peer-reviewed or published in a scientific journal, but it is based on it Widely accepted methodsincluding data analysis and computer model simulations to compare today’s climate with past weather patterns.

“Overall, we are confident in saying that the main driver of this increased fire risk is human-caused global warming,” Claire Barnes, a research associate at World Weather Attribution, said at a news conference. “These trends are expected to continue into the future as long as we continue to burn fossil fuels.”

The study found that record droughts and scorching temperatures created favorable conditions for wildfires in Chile and Argentina, while plantations of single species of highly flammable trees such as pine helped fires spread more easily in both regions. Invasive species have replaced the region’s more fire-resistant native ecosystems, turning shrubs, brush, and grass into fires.

In Patagonia, Argentina, the town of El Bolson recorded its highest January temperature on record – 38.4°C (101°F). The town of Esquel, near Los Alerces National Park, recorded 11 consecutive days of extreme temperatures in January, the second longest heatwave in 65 years. Temperatures in Chile before the fires were high but did not break records.

The researchers estimated that seasonal rainfall from November to January, before the peak fire period, was about 25% weaker in Chile and 20% less intense in Argentine Patagonia than it would have been without global temperatures rising by at least 1.3 degrees Celsius (2.3 degrees Fahrenheit) since pre-industrial times.

“This, combined with higher-than-average temperatures, led to plants being exposed to stress and a severe drop in soil moisture,” said Juan Antonio Rivera, an Argentine researcher and author of the study. “Once the wildfires started…there was enough fuel to keep going and keep going over time.”

Chile has increased its budget to fight forest fires by 110% in the past four years Leftist President Gabriel BuricImproving fire forecasting and investing in new equipment.

But in Argentina, a harsh austerity program is under way Liberal President Javier Miley This may have hampered the country’s ability to respond to fires, researchers said, citing budget cuts for firefighting crews, a lack of planning and the liberalization of tourism activities in Patagonia’s national parks. It’s a claim He told the Associated Press By firefighters, park rangers, and officials involved in disaster relief.

Miley is the same An ally of US President Donald Trumphe has He denied climate change It is related to human existence. His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment early Wednesday.

“Unfortunately, with a government that does not understand climate change and its connection to human activities, where nature is secondary in terms of priorities, these situations are getting worse and wildfires end up having larger impacts than they should,” Rivera said. “The situation is still out of control.”