Possible Link Between Climate Change and Extraordinary Wildfires in Australia, the Amazon and Western United States

Abstract

Areas with dry climates have recently become more vulnerable to wildfires as the soil and air moisture have been changing because of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Areas especially impacted are Australia, the Amazon, and western United States. The common factors at these locations are a dry environment and brush or forests fueling the fires once they start. As the climate continues to change, less moisture is present in the ground in these areas. This proliferates the susceptibility to wildfire. Prevention methods for inhibiting wildfires include reducing our carbon footprint, using care around campfires and other causes of wildfire, as well as routine thinning and removal of excess vegetation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is a link between Climate Change and the extraordinary magnitude, intensity, and frequency of recent wildfires. Although it is not possible to link all these wildfires directly and undeniably to Climate Change, the data examined clearly point to a strong possibility that such a link exists