Eli5: why do wildfires get worse when temps are higher? Does a 10-20 degree difference (f) really matter? Does it just dry out the surrounding brush faster?
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tl;dr: When the fuel is preheated by the weather it reaches ignition temperature more quickly. Yes, 10-20° differences can be significant in allowing wildfires to start.
“Fires spread in hot, dry, and windy conditions. Warmer temperatures and lower relative humidity make the fuels more receptive to ignition. Stronger winds supply oxygen to fire, preheating the fuels in the path of the fire, and transport embers ahead of the flaming front. When hot, dry, and windy conditions occur simultaneously, wildfires can spread quickly.”
Sources: https://www.noaa.gov/stories/ask-scientist-how-can-weather-spark-and-spread-wildfires
http://learnline.cdu.edu.au/units/env207/fundamentals/weather.html
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