Barrett: Climate change is a 'contentious matter'

"I will not express a view on a matter of public policy, especially when it is politically controversial because that is inconsistent with the judicial role as I have explained," Barrett said.

Fall has tended to be California's peak wildfire season, but state officials say the season is growing longer each year.

Experts say droughts and climate change from fossil fuels have made poorly managed forests much more flammable, leading to extreme fire activity.

Slow-moving storms that deluge coasts are also becoming a regular occurrence, a development that scientists attribute to climate change.