What is a potential consequence of decreased precipitation and increased drought risk?

Decreased precipitation and increased drought risk can lead to increased forest fire risk due to several interconnected factors. When there is less rainfall, vegetation becomes drier and more vulnerable to ignition. The lack of moisture can deplete the natural humidity levels in the surrounding environment, causing plants and trees to lose their moisture content, making them highly flammable. Moreover, drought conditions can stress ecosystems, leading to dying vegetation which can serve as ample fuel for wildfires. The combination of dry conditions with extreme heat can create a perfect storm for forest fires to ignite and spread rapidly across affected areas. Therefore, increased forest fire risk is a direct and plausible consequence of decreased precipitation and rising drought risks.