One explanation for the trend to more superhot fires is that the region, which usually has dry summers, has had significantly below normal precipitation in many recent years.

Joel Kotkin, a demographer, points out that California has always had fires during dry years, at least since the time of the Spaniards.

If the climate in Russia continues to change as expected, the areas affected by the current fires will continue to be dry, making fires more likely in the future.