Climate change could be increasing size and intensity of US Wildfires

The latest deadly wildfires that have occurred in the US have been linked to climate change. Many of the weather conditions associated with the warming up of the planet have been attributed to exacerbating conditions in which wildfires tend to thrive. The US has seen over two dozen wildfires in the past couple of months, several of which have resulted in loss of life as well as destruction to vegetation and property.

The effects of climate change - which are increased by the level of air pollution still being created around the world - has led to areas experiencing heat waves after short winter periods. The heat, coupled with low levels of rainfall, has led to drought conditions in many areas of the western US. Not only do these factors increase the likelihood of wildfires occurring, they also mean that a fire will burn hotter and spread faster.

Tom Tidwell, US Forest Service chief, said to the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee: "On average, wildfires burn twice as many acres each year as compared to 40 years ago. Last year, the fires were massive in size, coinciding with increased temperatures and early snow melt in the West. The largest issue we now face is how to adapt our management to anticipate climate change impacts and to mitigate their potential effect."

Many theories have been presented on the precise reasons for an increase in wildfires and their size and intensity, but it seems that many are citing climate change as the base reason for more fires. Alongside climate change, experts are suggesting that economic development is forcing more home building to take place in areas that are prone to wildfires, which results in more damage. Federal policies concerning fire prevention have also affected certain areas' ability to successfully fight any fires that occur.

It is likely that the rate at which wildfires occur, and reach such an intensity and size that they are difficult to fight, will only get worse as climate change continues to create dryer environments in areas of the US - as well as other countries. In order to fight wildfires it could be suggested that climate change itself must first be dealt with; meaning air pollution should be further reduced in an effort to cool the atmosphere.