How is climate change affecting wildfire burning hours?

Human-caused climate change is extending the hours favorable for wildfires, causing them to burn later at night and start earlier in the morning.

What percentage increase in burning hours has been observed?

The number of hours when weather is favorable for wildfires has increased by 36% in North America compared to 50 years ago.

Why are nighttime fires more difficult to combat?

Nighttime fires are harder to fight because warmer and drier conditions prevent them from slowing down or extinguishing, allowing them to gain momentum for the next day.

Home / Environment / Wildfires Burn Later: Climate Change Extends Fire Season

Wildfires Burn Later: Climate Change Extends Fire Season

18 Apr

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Summary

Human-caused climate change is extending fire season hours.
Potential burning hours in North America increased by 36%.
Nighttime fires are harder to fight and gaining momentum.

Wildfires Burn Later: Climate Change Extends Fire Season

Wildfires in North America are burning for longer periods due to human-caused climate change, extending into the night and starting earlier in the morning. A recent study published in Science Advances indicates that the number of hours with weather conducive to wildfires has increased by 36% over the past five decades.

This extension is attributed to warmer and drier nighttime conditions. For instance, California has seen an increase of 550 potential burning hours since the mid-1970s, while parts of Arizona and New Mexico have experienced an increase of up to 2,000 hours annually. The study highlights that fires surging at night are considerably tougher to fight.