Experts suggest that decades of quickly extinguishing fires, combined with the effects of climate change, have set the stage for a massive wildfire in northern California and numerous smaller ones across the western U.S. and Canada.
These fires are now moving faster and are more challenging to combat than in the past. The experts believe that the key to preventing future wildfires from becoming so destructive is to utilize smaller controlled fires, similar to the practices of indigenous communities over centuries. Implementing this change, however, may prove to be a difficult task.
Below are some key points to understand about the latest wildfires and their intensifying nature:
Blazes scorch hundreds of square miles
The Park Fire in California, the largest blaze this year, has already consumed 544 square miles (1,409 square kilometers) as of Saturday. It started on Wednesday when a man reportedly pushed a burning car into a gully in Chico before blending in with others fleeing the scene.
The intensity and rapid spread of this fire have drawn comparisons to the devastating Camp Fire in 2018, which ravaged Paradise, claiming 85 lives and destroying 11,000 homes.
Communities in other parts of the western U.S. and Canada are also facing threats from fast-spreading flames. On Friday, over 110 active fires covering 2,800 square miles (7,250 square kilometers) were recorded in the U.S., according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Fires are becoming larger and more dangerous
Researchers describe the recent fires as “amped up”. While the frequency of wildfires may not have increased substantially, their size and severity have escalated due to climate change. Jennifer Marlon, a research scientist at Yale, emphasizes that extreme wildfires are now a predictable consequence of climate change.
Climate change has led to a more unpredictable weather pattern in California, contributing to the current situation with rampant wildfires. According to Benjamin Hatchett, a fire meteorologist, record-setting temperatures have dried out plant growth, creating ideal conditions for large-scale wildfires to spread rapidly.
These fires are now burning with such intensity that firefighters are unable to contain them, even during the night. Daniel Swain, a climate scientist, notes that the fire season has become longer, with wildfires burning at high intensity for extended periods.
Forests face challenges in recovering
Some wildfires are so severe and intense that they permanently alter forest ecosystems. The changing climate conditions, coupled with invasive grasses that thrive in hot environments, make it difficult for forests to recover as they once did.
Climate change has fundamentally changed the landscape of wildfires, making them more destructive and hindering the ecosystem’s ability to recuperate after fires. The shift in environmental conditions poses a significant challenge to forest regeneration.
The consequences of suppressing fires in the past
In contrast to the Midwest, where controlled fires are used to manage vegetation, the western U.S. has a history of extinguishing fires at the earliest opportunity. As a result, excess fuel has accumulated in many regions, leading to more intense and damaging wildfires.
Experts suggest that reintroducing controlled burning practices, akin to those used by indigenous communities in the past, is crucial to mitigating the wildfire risk. However, adopting this approach is complex and requires careful planning and execution.
Despite the challenges, experts emphasize that incorporating controlled burns is essential to address the escalating wildfire threat. Without proactive measures, the risk of catastrophic wildfires will continue to rise, underscoring the need for a more sustainable approach to fire management.
