It is very sad to see how, in a matter of minutes, what has taken years, often centuries, to grow turns to ashes. forest fires are part of some natural environments. In fact, there are many plants that can only germinate after an event like this, such as those of the genus protea living in Africa. However, they are mostly caused by humans, and currently also by the climate changeTo better understand this issue, you can visit the article on the duration and danger of fires.
The future of forests looks "black", and it could not be better said: the reduction of rainfall and the intensification of droughts will cause the plants to weaken rapidly, so that during the canicular period, fires will be the protagonists of our day to day. These changes are also related to the global warming, which you can learn more about in the article on clean air and global warming.
Fires are, for animals (including people), a very serious problem. A threat they don't want to have. Fire devastates everything in its path, destroying the habitat of hundreds of species and endangering people's lives that there are in the area. Despite everything, today, we are far from achieving a decrease in the number of fires, and the only aggravates the situationThe climatic conditions that promote forest fires are closely related to factors such as the climate change.
The average global temperature is rising. Living beings must adapt, but they won't do so overnight. Adaptation can take months and even years, and that's time they might not have. Weather conditions conducive to wildfires have already increased in many regions and will continue to do so, indicating that the problem is only part of a larger crisis.
Therefore, the scientist José Antonio Vega Hidalgo, linked to the Spanish Society of Environmental Sciences and the Lourizán Forestry Research Center, said that it is necessary to bet on education, increased vigilance and especially social rejection as a basic tool to act. Likewise, he added that the situation of combustible vegetation must be improved through the mixture of tree species and the limitation of pyrophilic species, the diversification of uses of the forest and a greater investment in research.
Perhaps this is how the forests could be saved. This is essential, especially given the climate change, where the relationship between fires and climate change is becoming increasingly evident. To better understand how fires are related to climate, you can consult the report on drought in Spain.
The fire risk map in Spain can provide a clear view of the most vulnerable areas.
An international study with the participation of Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) has found that the climate risk of wildfires is increasing worldwide due to global warming. The research, which reviews 500 previous papers and includes a new analysis of state-of-the-art data using satellite observations and climate models, suggests that human actions and policies can play a key role in regulating regional impacts.
“Drier and hotter landscapes are becoming more common, which are more susceptible to burning and, moreover, with greater severity, which increases the risk of large forest fires, also called megafires or sixth-generation fires. The number of days with extreme fire risk has increased worldwide and has doubled in the Mediterranean basin over the last 40 years," explains the CSIC researcher. Cristina Santín, from the Mieres Joint Biodiversity Institute, a shared center between the CSIC, the University of Oviedo and the government of the Principality of Asturias.
The climate models used in this study indicate that the frequency with which climate conditions conducive to large fires currently occur in some regions, such as the Mediterranean basin and the Amazon, is already significantly different from what would be expected without global warming, due to the human-induced temperature increase of 1,1°C. The increase in fire risk has also occurred more rapidly than predicted by the models.
In addition, these fires caused the evacuation of more than 230.000 people and the death of eight firefighters. In South America, this environmental disaster in the Amazon affected air quality and led to some of the worst quality ratings on a global scale. These extreme events reflect the fact that we have lost control of climate change.
Causes of forest fires
In addition to cataloging high-impact fires around the world, the report focused on explaining the causes of the extreme extension of the fires in three regions: Canada, the western Amazon, and Greece. To better understand how these fires are related to the climate, you can consult the Article on the differences between climate change and global warming.
The fire climate, characterized by hot and dry conditions that promote fire, has changed significantly in the three focal regions compared to a world without climate change. This environmental context has caused the extreme fire-prone weather in these two years to make them at least three more times likely in Canada, 20 times more in the Amazon and ten times more likely in Greece. This has been indicated by various studies on the climate change and forest fires.
Some of the factors that contribute to this situation are:
- prolonged droughts affecting soil moisture and vegetation, creating ideal conditions for fire ignition.
- Increase in temperatures, which facilitate the spread of fire and the drying of vegetation.
- Human intervention which not only increases ignitions, but also affects the structure of forests, making them more susceptible to fires.
The study highlights that while climate change is increasing the likelihood of fires, human actions continue to play a crucial role. Fire management strategies that prioritize complete suppression can be counterproductive, as they can lead to an increase in accumulated vegetation, which generates more fuel in the long term. For more information on the impact of these fires, see the article about the damage in Los Angeles.
Increased CO₂ emissions from forest fires
According to a recent report, the global emissions Carbon emissions from forest fires have increased significantly in recent years. These emissions were a 16% higher on average, reaching a total of 8,6 billion tons de CO₂ in a single season. This highlights how wildfires not only cause devastation to the soil and ecosystem, but also affect greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere, exacerbating climate change. The relationship between CO₂ emissions and wildfires can be clearly seen in certain episodes, such as those that occurred in Canada.
Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns have led to an increase in the likelihood of fires in various regions of the world. For example, weather conditions conducive to wildfires have already increased in many regions and will continue to do so, indicating that the problem is only part of a broader crisis. In this sense, the fires in the Amazon are a clear example of how the climate change is related to climate change.
Furthermore, this report highlights that, although the increased climate risk of fires is not always translating into more burned area—thanks to fire suppression policies in some regions—the risk of extreme fires continues to grow. To prevent these fires from getting out of control, it is essential to increase surveillance, improve forest management, and educate communities about fire risks and prevention. In this regard, the updated analysis on the heat wave and fires is relevant.
Consequences of forest fires
Wildfires have devastating impacts on many levels. In addition to the destruction of habitats and wildlife, these fires generate a range of socioeconomic consequences, such as:
- Eviction of populationsEvery year, thousands of people are evacuated from their homes due to fires that threaten their safety.
- Loss of housing and infrastructureThe devastation of homes and entire communities represents a substantial economic cost to governments and society.
- Impacts on public healthAir pollution from wildfire smoke can cause respiratory problems and other health complications, particularly affecting children and the elderly.
- Ecological disturbancesThe destruction of flora and fauna not only affects the species that depend on these ecosystems, but also disrupts the ecosystem services that sustain human life.
In addition, the analysis of the fires in Los Angeles It illustrates how devastating the consequences of these fires are for the affected communities, which is essential to understanding the impact of these phenomena.
Preventive and management measures
With the increasing frequency and intensity of forest fires, it is crucial to implement effective management and prevention strategies. Some of these measures include:
- education and awarenessInvest in education campaigns to inform the public about best practices for fire prevention and how to respond in the event of a forest fire.
- Improvements in surveillance: Increase monitoring of forest areas to detect fires in their early stages before they spread.
- Vegetation management: Implement vegetation management techniques, such as controlled burning and the removal of combustible materials, to reduce the risk of fires.
- Territorial planning: Establish land use policies that limit urban development in fire-prone areas and encourage the creation of firebreaks. If you'd like to learn more about fires in fire-prone areas, check out the article on threatened deserts.
Fire suppression policies must be complemented by strategies that recognize the nature of wildfires as a natural phenomenon, and ways to coexist safely with fire must be sought. In this context, climate change remains a crucial aspect to consider.
The role of governments and communities
The government has a fundamental role to play in combating wildfires, not only through policy development but also through collaboration with local communities. Community engagement is essential, as these communities best understand their environments and can help implement appropriate management practices.
El climate change Wildfire management and climate change are complex issues that require a multisectoral response, where planning, research, education, and community action must be intertwined. Investments in technology and science are also critical to developing new tools and approaches that facilitate better fire risk management. For a deeper understanding of how climate change is affecting different sectors, see the article on the urgency of addressing climate change.
It is essential that both institutions and citizens unite to face the challenge of forest fires in a world increasingly affected by climate change. The future of our forests and our society depends on it.
