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According to the SREX report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a changing climate leads to changes in the frequency, intensity, spatial extent, duration, and timing of extreme weather and climate events, and can result in unprecedented extreme weather and climate events (IPCC, 2012). Especially in the Western United States, wildfires are increasing in frequency, duration, and severity. Wildfires are a major source of particulate matter in the air, mainly during the summertime. This particulate matter can increase the risk of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and the development of asthma. Soil erosion and runoff caused by wildfires can contaminate water supplies and lead to a decrease in the availability of safe, …show more content…
Additionally, there has been a trend of increasing drought frequency and warming temperatures which may have led to increased wildfires. Records from tree rings show fire history, and it is evident that wildfire risks are associated with drought concurrent with the summer fire season. Variability in climate in relation to recent El Niño/La Niña patterns along with severe droughts may have promoted greater wildfire risks, especially in California where precipitation anomalies are influenced by Pacific surface temperatures.
Although these two explanations appear to compete when it comes to determining whether California wildfire incidence is influenced by global warming, these two different theories may be complementary in some ways. Past land use can increase the sensitivity of current forest wildfire regimes to varying climate by impacting the quantity, arrangement, and continuity of fuels. This increased the probability of large, high severe fires. This means these wildfires may be due to a combination of extreme droughts and an overabundance of fuel in
According to the SREX report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a changing climate leads to changes in the frequency, intensity, spatial extent, duration, and timing of extreme weather and climate events, and can result in unprecedented extreme weather and climate events (IPCC, 2012). Especially in the Western United States, wildfires are increasing in frequency, duration, and severity. Wildfires are a major source of particulate matter in the air, mainly during the summertime. This particulate matter can increase the risk of lung cancer, cardiovascular disease and the development of asthma. Soil erosion and runoff caused by wildfires can contaminate water supplies and lead to a decrease in the availability of safe, …show more content…
Additionally, there has been a trend of increasing drought frequency and warming temperatures which may have led to increased wildfires. Records from tree rings show fire history, and it is evident that wildfire risks are associated with drought concurrent with the summer fire season. Variability in climate in relation to recent El Niño/La Niña patterns along with severe droughts may have promoted greater wildfire risks, especially in California where precipitation anomalies are influenced by Pacific surface temperatures.
Although these two explanations appear to compete when it comes to determining whether California wildfire incidence is influenced by global warming, these two different theories may be complementary in some ways. Past land use can increase the sensitivity of current forest wildfire regimes to varying climate by impacting the quantity, arrangement, and continuity of fuels. This increased the probability of large, high severe fires. This means these wildfires may be due to a combination of extreme droughts and an overabundance of fuel in