A ubiquitous, resilient, and seemingly harmless plant - grass - is playing a significant role in the increase of large, fast-moving, and destructive wildfires across the United States. Under the right weather conditions, grass acts as fuel for wildfires, easily igniting and spreading rapidly with just a spark.
Climate change, with its planet-warming emissions, is exacerbating the situation by causing changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, leading to larger and more frequent fires. Grass, known for its adaptability, thrives in various environments, making it a dominant factor in the spread of wildfires.
