Increased Risk of Catastrophic Wildfires
- National Wildlife Federation Staff
- Aug 14, 2009
More catastrophic wildfires just waiting to happen. This is the situation now facing the American West. Wildfire frequency, severity, and damages are increasing because of rising temperatures, drying conditions, and more lightning brought by global warming, combined with decades of fire suppression that allowed unsafe fuel loads to accumulate, a severe bark beetle infestation that is rapidly decimating trees, and ever expanding human settlements in and near forests.
Increased Risk of Catastrophic Wildfires
As a direct result of climate change, wildfire frequency, severity, and damages are increasing. This is a wake up call to the American west: now is the time to invest in better management strategies.
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