The global climate is rapidly changing, and forest fires are becoming increasingly common and devastating around the world. Global warming is significantly impacting their frequency and severity and a greater understanding of the connection between the two is necessary to properly equip the global population with the understanding to limit its effects.
Most scientists agree that climate change is inextricably linked to increasing temperatures and more erratic weather. For example, NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information found that 18 of the 20 warmest years on record occurred between 2001 and 2020. Global warming is fostering drier conditions, promoting earlier and longer fire season, reducing soil moisture and ultimately leading to an increased risk of wildland fires.
The 2018 California wildfires were among the most destructive ever—exerting a clear, tangible and costly effect on those affected. Driven by very warm temperatures, wind and low humidity, more than 10,000 fires charred an estimated 1.6 million acres, costing California an estimated $2.5 billion in damages and thousands of lost homes. Research suggests that in some areas of the western US, hotter weather caused by global warming is decreasing snowpack levels, making it easier for fires to start and spread, due to the increased dryness of the landscape.
Forest fires often result in further environmental degradation such as soil erosion and damage to habitats, and they can radically alter the land, air and water. Smoke and soot released by raging fires contain hazardous chemicals and pollutants, leading to severe public health concerns including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, heat stroke and even cancer. Additionally, global warming is facilitating the spread of insect pests, disease and contamination, leading to forest death, which consequently increases the risk of forest fires.
On-the-ground efforts are needed to help decrease the severity of forest fires, yet global warming and its effects cannot be disregarded. Generally, solutions that consider climate change must be implemented to safeguard ecosystems. These include strategies such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and developing sustainable management plans for forests. Some successful examples include California’s Fire Suppression Zones, which reduced the incidence of large fires by 90 percent, and the Canada-based FireSmart program, which educates and provides homeowners with tips to protect their homes against wildfires.
With the right measures, global warming can be slowed and its catastrophic effects avoided. However, that requires collective action and an increased understanding of the causes and implications of global warming—including the insidious connection between higher temperatures and forest fires.
It is crucial that citizens, governments and corporations understand how global warming is distinctly affecting forest fires, and take appropriate initiatives to reduce their environmental impact. Forest fire suppression, land use management, and energy conservation are just a few measures that can lead to tangible solutions, improving the safety of ecosystems and securing the livelihood of people everywhere.
