SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Extreme forest fires are becoming more frequent and severe

The number of extreme forest fires has more than doubled over the past 20 years, a new study shows. Researchers are warning of a vicious circle where the fires drive global warming – which leads to new fires.

» Updated: 27 June 2024, 16:32

» Published: 26 June 2024

Extreme forest fires are becoming more frequent and severe
Photo: Eric Thayer/AP/TT

The number of extreme forest fires has more than doubled over the past 20 years, a new study shows. Researchers are warning of a vicious circle where the fires drive global warming – which leads to new fires.

The extreme forest fires have more than doubled since 2003, according to a study based on analyses of satellite data. In temperate coniferous forests, such as in western USA and Mediterranean countries, the fires have increased tenfold over the past 20 years.

The researchers can also establish that the intensity of the worst fires has doubled. The six individual years that have had the most devastating forest fires have all occurred after 2017.

We have reached a point where the fires, the very manifestation of climate change, are happening before our eyes, says Calum Cunningham, the researcher from the University of Tasmania who led the study, to The Guardian.

The researchers are warning that the increase in extreme fires risks creating a vicious circle where the carbon dioxide emissions from the fires drive global warming – which leads to even more fires.

At the same time as the most extreme forest fires are increasing, the number of fires globally has decreased over the past century, the study published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution shows. The majority of fires are small, caused by humans and result in no major damage.

New Environments

Forest fires can benefit ecosystems by creating new environments for plants and animals. But the extreme fires have killed people and animals, destroyed homes and polluted both air and drinking water.

Slowing down global warming by reducing fossil fuels is the most important measure to stop extreme fires, Cunningham believes. But also learning from controlled forest fires of the past.

The result is a mixture of land that has been burned at different times and creates natural firebreaks. Maybe we can use that knowledge.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Preschool Employee Convicted of Gross Child Rape
1 MIN READ

Preschool Employee Convicted of Gross Child Rape

Stockholm City Terminates Contract with HVB Home
1 MIN READ

Stockholm City Terminates Contract with HVB Home

Reactions: Shameful and Insufficient
2 MIN READ

Reactions: Shameful and Insufficient

The police increase presence during Black Friday
1 MIN READ

The police increase presence during Black Friday

The draft of the Climate Meeting: "Everyone will be dissatisfied"
3 MIN READ

The draft of the Climate Meeting: "Everyone will be dissatisfied"

Swedish support for long-range weapons in Ukraine
1 MIN READ

Swedish support for long-range weapons in Ukraine

Swedes sentenced for murder of Swede in Sarajevo
1 MIN READ

Swedes sentenced for murder of Swede in Sarajevo

Object in Trelleborg harmless
1 MIN READ

Object in Trelleborg harmless

The Climate Summit's Draft: "Everyone Will Be Dissatisfied"
3 MIN READ

The Climate Summit's Draft: "Everyone Will Be Dissatisfied"

Rough weather when examining cable: "Troublesome"
2 MIN READ

Rough weather when examining cable: "Troublesome"

One death in accident in Gävle
1 MIN READ

One death in accident in Gävle

New demands for the C leader's resignation
2 MIN READ

New demands for the C leader's resignation

Suspected sabotaged cable to be repaired
1 MIN READ

Suspected sabotaged cable to be repaired

Tent Protest Ended – Chained Protesters Cut Loose
2 MIN READ

Tent Protest Ended – Chained Protesters Cut Loose

Swedish police are no longer allowed to enter Norway
1 MIN READ

Swedish police are no longer allowed to enter Norway

A prick in the finger can reveal Alzheimer's
2 MIN READ

A prick in the finger can reveal Alzheimer's

Many snowless in the snow - trees "like pick-up sticks"
3 MIN READ

Many snowless in the snow - trees "like pick-up sticks"

No Longer Rich and Famous Targets for Kidnappers
3 MIN READ

No Longer Rich and Famous Targets for Kidnappers

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly
2 MIN READ

The King on the Climate Meeting: It's Moving Too Slowly

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"
3 MIN READ

Resignation Demand on Demirok: "Weak Leadership"