Researchers and scientists have come together to gather information and make predictions about how the intensity and occurrence of wildfires have increased and how our governments can become better prepared for the future. Climate change is becoming an increasingly dangerous factor as scientists attribute these stronger fires with the effects of climate change. Also, with the high danger that comes along with wildfires, it is pertinent that we examine and analyze all the information we have so we can not only become more prepared for wildfires but also abate the factors and conditions that are causing them.
One of the most analyzed questions scientists are trying to answer today is why wildfires are not only more frequent, but also stronger. …show more content…
The graph shows how the “number of acres burned in each state as a proportion of that state’s total land area has changed over time”. In states such as California and Oregon an average of 1.37% acres and 2.56% acres respectively, burned more from 2000-2014 than from 1984-1999. As you can see, the western states (Oregon and California) have high percentages of increased acre burnage. The longer durability and stronger fires have become a major for threat for not only wildfire, but also the health and safety of human lives. According to the EPA, the United States federal government spends an average of 1 billion dollars fighting and suppressing wildfires. This past year, in 2015, the amount spent was double that, 2 billion. Wildfires are dangerous to human lives, wildlife, land, and the firefighters who risk their lives to stop these fires. This has caused specific agencies and governments to come up with prevention and sustainability procedures to ensure the safety of all those who may be affected by wildfires. One important prevention policy implemented by several states is wildfire prevention education (WPE). According to the peer-review article “Net Benefits of Wildfire Prevention Education Efforts”, the state of Florida saw a decrease in accidental fires and a decrease in overall spending on firefighting and damage control. This is after the state of Florida implanted a “5 year education program that informed its citizens of fire prevention policies and causes of wildfires” (Pretesmon et al. 2010). Furthermore, the study also found economic benefits because as wildfires decrease the government will spend less money recovering from the damage. This study is important because it shows a strong relationship between educating the public and less fires being
One of the most analyzed questions scientists are trying to answer today is why wildfires are not only more frequent, but also stronger. …show more content…
The graph shows how the “number of acres burned in each state as a proportion of that state’s total land area has changed over time”. In states such as California and Oregon an average of 1.37% acres and 2.56% acres respectively, burned more from 2000-2014 than from 1984-1999. As you can see, the western states (Oregon and California) have high percentages of increased acre burnage. The longer durability and stronger fires have become a major for threat for not only wildfire, but also the health and safety of human lives. According to the EPA, the United States federal government spends an average of 1 billion dollars fighting and suppressing wildfires. This past year, in 2015, the amount spent was double that, 2 billion. Wildfires are dangerous to human lives, wildlife, land, and the firefighters who risk their lives to stop these fires. This has caused specific agencies and governments to come up with prevention and sustainability procedures to ensure the safety of all those who may be affected by wildfires. One important prevention policy implemented by several states is wildfire prevention education (WPE). According to the peer-review article “Net Benefits of Wildfire Prevention Education Efforts”, the state of Florida saw a decrease in accidental fires and a decrease in overall spending on firefighting and damage control. This is after the state of Florida implanted a “5 year education program that informed its citizens of fire prevention policies and causes of wildfires” (Pretesmon et al. 2010). Furthermore, the study also found economic benefits because as wildfires decrease the government will spend less money recovering from the damage. This study is important because it shows a strong relationship between educating the public and less fires being