Think About The Earth

Global Warning Sends Forests Ablaze (1 of 2) August 12, 2009

On top of its already know consequences, such as rising sea levels and muddled weather patterns, global warming is expected to cause a significant increase in forest wildfires.  This effect has already been observed in the highly forested region of western United States.

A study in the United States reveals that the dramatic rise in wildfire activity and intensity was due to the “rising seasonal temperatures” and the earlier arrival of spring.  Wildfire season and intensity rose ”suddenly and dramatically” in the late 1980s in the US.  Both the rising temperatures and the early arrival of spring are well-documented occurrences, with the latter causing a significant change in the migratory patterns of animals.

Dan Cayan, director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s Climate Research Division and Study co-author said, “The increase in large wildfires appears to be another part of chain reactions to climate warning.  The recent ramp-up is likely, in part, caused by natural fluctuations, but evidence is mounting that anthropogenic effects have been contributing to warmer winters and springs in recent decades,”

Feeling the Heat

The study indicated that the average number of wildfires increased fourfold in the mid-1980s, as compared with records for the 1970s and early 1980s.  in terms of intensity, the wildfires that occurred in the mid-1980s conflagrated a total area that is six and a half times greater than the total area recorded for the previous years.  Wildfire season also appeared to have extended by 78 days from 1987 to 2003 compared to 1970 through 1986.  That means more wildfires are to be expected for another two and half months every year.

The researchers also disc covered that 56 percent of the wildfires and 72 percent of the total burnt area occurred during years when spring came earlier than usual.