As temperatures rise in the western part of the United States, wildfires grow in size as well. The Associated Press has studied information on weather and wildfires from the last 35 years. The media group’s findings show that the years in which wildfires burned the highest number of hectares were also years with the hottest weather. The report said the amount of land burned in wildfires has more than doubled. Fires need something to cause them to start. They also require oxygen and fuel to keep them going. The report says global warming increases the supply of fuel by drying trees and other plants. Mike Flannigan, a fire scientist with the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, spoke to the Associated Press. “Hotter, drier weather means our fuels are drier, so it’s easier for fires to start and spread and burn more intensely,” Flannigan said.