Earth Sciences

Spatial and temporal expansion of global wildland fire activity in response to climate change

M. Senande-rivera, D. Insua-costa, et al.

This groundbreaking study by Martín Senande-Rivera, Damián Insua-Costa, and Gonzalo Miguez-Macho reveals how climate change will reshape fire-prone regions globally. With a staggering 29% increase in areas susceptible to wildfires, particularly in Boreal and Temperate zones, the researchers highlight the urgent need to understand the longer fire seasons driven by a warming planet.

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Abstract

Global warming is expected to alter wildfire potential and fire season severity, but the magnitude and location of change is still unclear. This study demonstrates that climate largely determines present fire-prone regions and their fire season. The authors categorize these regions into four classes based on climatic characteristics within Boreal, Temperate, Tropical, and Arid climate zones. Using climate model projections, they assess how these fire-prone regions will change in extent and fire season length by the end of the 21st century. They find a 29% increase in the global area with frequent fire-prone conditions, primarily in Boreal (+111%) and Temperate (+25%) zones, with significant potential fire season lengthening in these regions. The study highlights the uneven impact of a warming climate on Earth's environment.

Publisher

Nature Communications

Published On

Mar 08, 2022

Authors

Martín Senande-Rivera, Damián Insua-Costa, Gonzalo Miguez-Macho

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