In the Southeastern United States modeling suggests increased fire risk and a longer fire season, with at least a 30 percent increase from 2011 in the area burned by lightning-ignited wildfire by 2060. West, projections show that an average annual 1 degree C temperature increase would increase the median burned area per year as much as 600 percent in some types of forests. Increased drought, and a longer fire season are boosting these increases in wildfire risk. Research shows that changes in climate create warmer, drier conditions. Climate change enhances the drying of organic matter in forests (the material that burns and spreads wildfire), and has doubled the number of large fires between 19 in the western United States. All these factors have strong direct or indirect ties to climate variability and climate change.
Wildfire risk depends on a number of factors, including temperature, soil moisture, and the presence of trees, shrubs, and other potential fuel.
Climate change has been a key factor in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the Western United States.
