The hot, dry and windy conditions that preceded the Southern California fires were about 35% more likely because of climate change, according to a new report.

Climate change was a major factor behind the hot, dry weather that gave rise to the devastating LA fires, a scientific study has confirmed. It made those weather conditions about 35% more likely, according to World Weather Attribution - globally recognised for their studies linking extreme weather to climate change.

Global warming exacerbated fire conditions in the Los Angeles area, an analysis by the research group World Weather Attribution finds.

The fires that devastated neighbourhoods in Los Angeles, killing 28 people and burning over 16,000 homes and buildings, are not a one-off, according to a new rapid analysis, and researchers say they are now significantly more likely to happen due to climate change.