United States of America

Spokane Wildfires Force Thousands to Evacuate

Is this fueled by climate change or decades of failed land management?

Published 19 hours ago

Spokane Wildfires Force Thousands to Evacuate

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Above: A destroyed residential home in the Balboa neighborhood of Spokane, Washington, on Aug. 2. Image credit: Erick Doxey/AFP/Getty Images

The Spin

Climate activist narrative

The Spokane wildfires are a direct consequence of climate change, and gutting clean energy policy will only make it worse. By rolling back methane regulations and expanding fossil fuel production, the administration is guaranteeing the hotter, drier conditions that make these fires worse every season. To protect communities, it must urgently reverse course and slash emissions.

Los Angeles Times

Jay Inslee on X

Climate-skeptic narrative

Wildfires are roaring through Washington because public lands have been mismanaged for decades by state officials who'd rather blame climate change than own their failed policies. Blaming the weather is a convenient way to dodge accountability for neglecting forest thinning, fuel reduction and controlled burns. It is this poor record — not the climate — that is turning Spokane into ash.

Jim Walsh on X