https://www.axios.com/climate-southwest-drought-wildfires-e0e0132c-c3d8-4872-b623-280f30383155.html

Andrew Freedman

Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios

One of the fastest-warming regions of the U.S. is the Southwest — and that region, plus the broader West, is stuck in itsmost expansive and intense droughtof the 21st century.

Why it matters:Studies show that a warming climate is exacerbating the drought, and in some ways may be triggering it in the first place. That means the Southwest is drying out — and California’s large wildfires could start as soon as next month.

• And one climate researcher says California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains saw one of the fastest snow melt-outs in history this year.
• The drought situation is particularly severe in the Colorado River Basin and northern California. Scientists and public officials are warning that the California wildfire season is likely to be severe, due to the combination of dry vegetation and above-average temperatures.
• This one comes on the heels of the…