A recent social media post claimed that wildfires in Los Angeles emitted more CO2 in two days than American cars have over decades. This assertion, however, is far from accurate. According to experts and data from various sources, the CO2 emissions from Southern California's January wildfires were significantly lower compared to the cumulative emissions from U.S. vehicles over multiple years. While wildfires are indeed a substantial source of CO2, their impact does not match the long-term emissions from transportation. The latest data shows that the total fire emissions in late January amounted to only about 1% of annual U.S. car emissions.

The claim originated from a photo posted on Facebook, depicting a fire ravaging through the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles. The accompanying text suggested an exaggerated comparison between wildfire emissions and vehicle emissions. However, this comparison lacks factual support. Researchers at the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service estimate that by late January 2025, California wildfires had emitted approximately 4.4 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent. Despite the severity of these fires, which caused significant loss of life and property, they still produced much less CO2 than U.S. cars emit in a single year.

Data from the Environmental Protection Agency indicates that from 2018 to 2022, U.S. cars emitted roughly 340-400 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. In 2005, passenger cars alone emitted around 560 megatonnes. These figures dwarf even the highest annual emissions from California wildfires, estimated at 106 megatonnes in 2020. The California Air Resources Board also reported that in 2022, total CO2 emissions from wildfires in the state were around 9 megatonnes.

While the post dramatically overstated the CO2 released by the Southern California fires, it is important to recognize that global wildfires do contribute significantly to CO2 emissions. These emissions exacerbate climate change, creating conditions that increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires. Therefore, addressing both wildfire management and reducing emissions from other sources remains crucial for combating climate change.

The misinformation surrounding wildfire emissions highlights the need for reliable and verified information. Although the post gained traction on social media, it underscores the importance of fact-checking and relying on credible sources for environmental claims. Understanding the true scale of emissions helps in formulating effective policies and public awareness campaigns to mitigate climate impacts.