One dead, homes destroyed in late-winter Texas fires that have consumed 45,000 acres
NBCOct 19, 2021
The Facts
The "Big L" and "Eastland Complex" wildfires in Texas have burned more than 67,000 acres west of the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The Big L fire has injured two firefighters, and the Eastland Complex fire has claimed the life of a Sheriff's Deputy.
Dry conditions have contributed to the rapid spread of the fires. A storm system may bring much needed relief to the area, but its strong winds could also fuel the blazes.
The Spin
Narrative A
These climate change-catalyzed infernos are threatening the lives, homes, and livelihoods of Texans. Extreme conditions caused by rising temperatures and reduced winter rainfall are making many parts of the US into a tinderbox. Once a fire starts, only strong winds are needed to create a major disaster.
Narrative B
It's easy to dismiss any extreme weather event as a consequence of climate change, but in reality they're usually influenced by a myriad of factors that have nothing to do with it. More research is needed before we can establish any direct causal link between the two.