Timeline, Smoking Guns, Additional Articles
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The Fossil Fuels Behind Forest Fires
May 2023
K. Dahl, et al (Union of Concerned Scientists
The article from the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) highlights the
link between fossil fuels and forest fires, emphasizing that the extraction,
production, and use of these fuels contribute to climate change and the
conditions that increase the risk and severity of wildfires. It underscores
the importance of transitioning to cleaner energy sources to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions and address the underlying factors driving these fires.
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Almost 40% of land burned by western wildfires can be traced to carbon emissions
May 2023
Alex Wigglesworth (L.A.Times)
The article from Yahoo News reports that nearly 40% of the land in the
western United States has been affected by wildfires. The information
is based on data from the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). The
article highlights the extent of the damage caused by the fires, which
have ravaged vast areas and resulted in significant ecological and environmental
consequences.
The article points out that the western states have experienced prolonged
drought conditions, which have contributed to the increased risk and severity
of wildfires. It also mentions that climate change plays a role in exacerbating
these conditions, as rising temperatures and changing weather patterns
create a more conducive environment for fires to spread rapidly.
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Explainer: How climate change is increasing the risk of wildfires.
July 2020
Daisy Dunne (CarbonBrief)
The article from Carbon Brief provides an explanation of how climate change
is influencing wildfires globally. It discusses the various ways in which
rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and other climate-related
factors contribute to the increased frequency and severity of wildfires.
The article highlights the relationship between rising temperatures, changing
precipitation patterns, and the increased frequency and severity of wildfires.
The article acknowledges the complex nature of wildfires and the importance
of considering various factors, including climate change, to understand
and address this growing issue.
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The Impact of Climate Change on Wildfire Severity: A Regional Forecast
for Northern California
January 2004
J. Fried, E. Mills (Climate Change)
This scientific study reviews and synthesizes existing research on the
connection between climate change and wildfire severity. Including climatic
change resulting in more frequent and more intense fires in northern California
where escape frequencies increased by more than 100%, based on relatively
conservative general circulation models (GCM) output and despite more
extensive utilization of available firefighting forces.
The greatest increases in fire spread rates and area burned occur in landscapes
dominated by grass and brush. Only 9 of the 114 additional escapes occur
in high population areas due to the greater depth of fire suppression
resources available.
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Attribution of the Influence of Human-Induced Climate Change on an Extreme
Fire Season
January 2019
M.C. Kirchmeier-Young, N., Gillett, et all (Advancing Earth and Science)
This research paper examines the influence of anthropogenic climate change
on a specific extreme fire season, providing evidence of its contribution
to the severity of the fires.
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Megafires — The Growing Risk to America’s Forests, Communities,
and Wildlife
October 2017
C. Skeens (National Wildlife Foundation)
The article from the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) announces the release
of a report on the increasing prevalence and severity of "megafires"
in the United States. It underscores the role of climate change and forest
management practices in fueling these fires and emphasizes the urgent
need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate their impacts.
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