The past few decades saw intense fires across many parts of the world.
For example, the western region of the United States has seen severe wildfires in 2020. Among 6 of the top 20 wildfires in California happened in 2020.
North America, Indonesia, Siberia and the Amazon experienced intense wildfires in 2019.
Wildfires have a direct and indirect link to climate variations. Many researchers believe that the wildfires we see today can be a result of climate change.
What Are The Causes of Wildfires?
Wildfires are uncontrollable fires that extend across forests, peatlands, grasslands and pasturelands.
Both human and natural causes contribute to wildfires.
Wildfires from human activities are campfires left alone, burning of waste, power lines. Furthermore, failure to discard cigarettes and arson motives add to human negligence.
Lighting and lava can also cause wildfires.
Wildfires inducing factors vary for different places. For example, humans induce 84% of wildfires in the US. Lighting causes wildfires in Canada (55%) and Alaska.
How does climate change play a role in causing wildfires?
Hot Temperature, More Fires
Climate change has increased the intensity of wildfires. Extreme heat, and changing rain and snow levels increase wildfires.
Researchers have found a link between warmer air temperatures and large fires.
The hot temperature evaporates the soil or vegetation at an alarming rate. This leaves no moisture and the soil or vegetation absorbs the heat instead. As a result, this causes a drying-out process that enhances fire risk.
Dry vegetation due to heavy moisture loss can be flammable. When the fire sparks, it can spread further into larger areas.
Droughts Increase the Potential of Fires
Moreover, the risk of wildfire intensifies during severe droughts and high winds. Heatwaves and high temperatures increase the probability of droughts. For instance, 98.5% of the land in the western U.S experienced moderate to severe drought.
How Destructive are Wildfires?
Wildfires have harmful effects on humans, wildlife and the economy.
Wildfires can increase carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. When trees burn, they release the carbon captured in the leaves, roots and trunks. As a result, they can release a high amount of CO2.
Health Effects and Property Damages
Research indicates negative health effects as a consequence of wildfires. Wildfires are accountable for 5-8% of the 3.3 million premature deaths yearly due to poor air quality.
Smoke decreases air quality and can induce eye and respiratory illness. The older population and children are generally affected.
Wildfires put 4.5 million U.S homes are at high to extreme risks, with 2 million in California alone.
The fires that burn down housing areas can melt plastic water pipes. This can lead to water contamination with a carcinogen.
Impact on Native Habits
Fast-spreading fires have wiped out wildlife habitats of endangered species. This includes half of Washington’s pygmy rabbit population.
Greenhouse gases still remain in the atmosphere after wildfires. It is harder to remove due to the low maturity of new plants. The vegetation will be less effective to absorb carbon dioxide.
How Climate Change Can Affect Future Heatwaves and Fires
A UK research reveals wildfire intensity will increase when the temperature rises. A 2°C increase in global temperature can see a 150% increase in high-risk fire weather conditions. Furthermore, with a 4°C temperature increase, it could see a 200% rise in the UK.
Whereas in the US, a 1°C increase could contribute to a 600% growth in annual burnt areas. In Southeastern US, the average area burned in a year will increase by 30% in 2060 due to fires by lightning.
The warmer air temperature is the main climate change effect that induces wildfires. It is significant to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and follow sustainable practices. It is important to reduce global temperature rise and reduce heatwaves. As it will reduce the impact of wildfires on humans, habitats and properties.
